Notability Logo
Craft logo

Notes beyond
handwriting.

Looking for a Notability alternative? Notes that go beyond handwriting. Type, draw, collaborate, and sync across every device with Craft.

Try Craft Free

Which one is right for you?

Craft

Structured typed documents, rich formatting, and Apple Pencil sketch blocks on iPad
A document workspace on Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, Android, and Web
Shared Spaces, real-time document editing, and comments for working together
AI assistant included; limits vary by plan
Web publishing, tables, and rich media — not just digital paper

Notability

Audio recording synced to handwriting is essential
iPad handwriting with paper simulation is your primary use case
You mainly annotate PDFs and lecture slides
You prefer notebook-based writing, recording, and study workflows

Notability is strong for handwriting, audio-linked notes, PDFs, and AI study tools, with cloud sync and collaboration options. Craft is a document-first workspace for typed writing, connected knowledge, team projects, and polished web publishing.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

See how Craft and Notability compare across key features

Feature
Craft
Notability
Performance
Native Apple apps; Windows, Android, and Web access
Apps for Apple devices, Windows, Android, plus Web access
Cross-Platform
Full apps on all platforms with instant sync
Cloud sync across supported devices; features vary by platform
Note Types
Rich typed docs + Apple Pencil drawing + media
Handwriting, typed notes, PDF markup, and audio-linked notes
AI Features
Included; limits vary by plan
AI summaries, transcription, quizzes, and chat; plan limits apply
Offline Access
Full offline on every platform
Local note access in supported apps; cloud features require internet
Apple Pencil
Drawing + annotation alongside typed documents
Excellent pen tools with audio sync
Web Publishing
One-click beautiful web pages
Not available
Free Tier
Free plan with sync included
Free with limits — subscription for full access
Organization
Spaces, folders, collections, tags, search
Folders, handwriting search, and shared libraries
Collaboration
Real-time editing, shared spaces, comments
Live collaboration and business shared libraries

Why users switch to Craft

A

Anonymous review

“ Your app absolutely blew me away. I've tried everything — hundreds of hours switching between apps. Every single one let me down in some way — too slow, too clunky, too ugly. And then I found Craft. From the very first moment, I felt it: the speed, the elegance, the flow. This is the best app I've used in years.”
App Store Award
App Store Award
Mac App of the Year
Apple Design Awards
Apple Design Awards
Finalist
Webby
Webby
Awarded three times in various categories
German Design Award
German Design Award
Excellent Communications Design Interactive UX

What matters most

Craft gets it right

Quick idea capture

Capture ideas by typing or drawing — build a connected document workspace across your devices

Fast, beautiful writing

Beautiful typed documents with rich formatting, covers, cards, and media

Offline access

Full offline on every device with cloud sync and backup — your notes are never trapped on one iPad

Easy Organization

Spaces, folders, collections, and full-text search — find anything instantly across all devices

Task management

Built-in tasks with due dates and daily notes — manage work alongside your notes

API, MCP & Automations

Connect with Claude, ChatGPT, Apple Shortcuts, and build custom workflows

Compare the cost

Craft
Notability
Free plan or trial
Free — 1,500 blocks, 1 GB storage
Starter free plan with note and feature limits
Individual
$6.4/month, billed annually
Regular USD prices: Lite $14.99/year, Plus $19.99/year, Pro $99.99/year; offers vary
Family
$12.0/month, billed annually; up to 6 people
Check current App Store Family Sharing eligibility
Team
$5/month, billed annually per member; minimum 3 members
Business: $60/user/year
AI Assistant Feature
Included; limits vary by plan
Limited AI in Plus; advanced AI in Pro and eligible business plans

Craft prices reflect your region and available offers. Competitor $ prices are USD unless stated otherwise; billing periods are shown with each price. Taxes, offers and plan limits may differ. Check Notability pricing

See full pricing

Switch From Notability To Craft

Export Your Notes

In Notability, select notes and share as PDF to preserve your handwritten content and annotations.

Import to Craft

Add PDFs as attachments in Craft documents, then create typed notes alongside them. Editable ink and audio-to-handwriting links do not transfer.

Start Creating

Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad AND type rich documents — synced to every device. Your notes grow with you.

Ready for notes that go beyond handwriting?

Start for free. No credit card required.

Continue on webDownload on the App Store

Common Questions

Craft is a strong choice for structured documents, shared knowledge, Collections, and web publishing. Notability is especially strong for audio-linked handwriting, PDFs, and study workflows, and also offers typed content, AI, and collaboration.

Choose Craft when you want a document-first workspace with rich formatting, nested pages, Collections, and web publishing. Notability also offers multi-device access; compare the writing, recording, and organization workflows you need.

Craft supports real-time editing, shared Spaces, and comments. Notability also supports live collaboration and shared libraries on eligible plans, including Business. Check the plan and platform requirements for your team.

Notability offers a free Starter plan and paid Lite, Plus, Pro, and Business plans. Regular US annual prices include Lite $14.99 and Plus $19.99; promotions may differ. Craft offers a free plan and paid subscriptions with AI included; limits vary by plan.

Craft brings together structured documents, nested pages, Collections, public web publishing, and API/MCP workflows. Notability also offers typed notes, cross-device sync, search, AI, and collaboration alongside handwriting and audio tools.

Yes. Craft works fully offline on all platforms — Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, and Web. Notability also stores notes locally in supported apps; its cloud and AI features require internet. Craft syncs changes automatically when you reconnect.

Export Notability notes as PDFs, then add them as attachments in Craft documents. You can organize the files and add typed notes alongside them. Editable ink and audio-to-handwriting links do not transfer.

Craft offers block-based headings, callouts, code blocks, tables, covers, media, and flexible document styling. Notability supports typed notes as well as a digital paper canvas. Choose Craft when document structure and presentation are central to your work.

Yes. Craft is a native app with instant launch and sub-second sync on iPad. It also works on Mac, iPhone, Windows, Android, and Web. Notability also offers apps and Web access, with platform-specific features.

Craft offers Spaces, folders, Collections, linked documents, tags, and full-text search. Notability offers folders, handwriting search, and shared libraries. Craft is a strong fit for structured knowledge that connects across documents.

Yes. Craft lets you publish a document as a styled web page that anyone can view without an account. Notability also offers note sharing and shared libraries; compare those workflows with Craft's document publishing.

Both support Apple Pencil on iPad. Notability has more advanced pen tools and paper simulation. Craft lets you mix handwriting with typed text, images, and rich formatting in the same document — and access it all from any device.

Craft includes an AI assistant for working with content. Included; limits vary by plan. Notability also offers AI summaries, transcription, study tools, and chat with notes, depending on your plan.

Craft is worth trying if you want structured documents, Collections, connected knowledge, or polished publishing. Notability also supports typed notes, AI, collaboration, and multi-device access. Choose the workflow that fits you.

Notability is strong for audio-linked lecture notes, PDF annotation, and AI study tools. Craft is useful for structured essays, research, shared projects, and published portfolios. Many students use both.

Craft puts structured writing, rich formatting, AI, and web publishing at the center of the experience. Notability also supports typed text, including a Text-Only view on iPhone. Try Craft if you want a document-first writing workspace.

Craft syncs instantly across Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, and Web. Notability offers cloud sync across supported devices, with platform differences and account requirements. Check whether your library uses Notability Cloud or iCloud.

Export Notability notes as PDFs and add them as attachments in Craft documents. Add typed notes and organize the files in folders. PDF migration preserves appearance rather than editable ink, recording links, or notebook structure.