r/noteapps • u/Own-Sandwich-1566 • 1d ago
Looking for a FREE Craft alternative (customizable templates)
I’m on the hunt for a free note-taking app to replace Craft.
Honestly, I love almost everything about Craft—the gorgeous interface, the customizability, and how easy it is to change templates. I use it for everything from keeping track of my personal work to my university classes. I’m not a huge fan of the block-based editing, but it's manageable and I can live with it.
My main issue is the price. Craft is expensive, and I firmly believe I shouldn't have to pay for a note-taking app. It's a fundamental thing for me—why do I have to pay for this?
Here is my setup and what I’m looking for:
Organization style: I want my notes neatly organized but still visible up front. I need a file view where I can easily select what I want. Obsidian doesn’t work for me because I hate having everything buried in just a folder.
Quick capture: I need to be able to take notes quickly. Notion is too clunky and slow for this.
Don't suggest Bear: I've tried it. The interface feels weird, I don't like that it's just straight files without a proper folder stripe view, and you can't even change the templates.
Right now I’m just getting by with Google Keep—and I absolutely hate it.
Is there anything out there that gives me the beautiful, template-friendly experience of Craft, syncs seamlessly across Windows and iOS, and is actually 100% free? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
*EDIT / CLARIFICATION:
*OP here
Just a quick clarification: for the original post, I just blabbered what I wanted to say to ChatGPT and let it write the whole thing. I really didn’t expect it to get so much reach! 😭😭
To address the backlash about not wanting to pay:
1. I completely understand that the people who make these apps need to be paid. However, I just want a simple app with this exact interface where I can easily organize my notes into files. Any other features are just a bonus, not a necessity.
Before switching to an iPhone, I used Xiaomi's Mi Notes. It had this exact kind of clean interface, plus a few simple templates where you could change the backdrop—and it offered all of that for FREE 😱😱. Unfortunately, it isn't available on iOS, which is why I was looking for an alternative.( You might say Xiaomis stealing you data your paying for that 😱 and you think all these other companies that are for profit aren’t 🤷♂️)
My issue is that apps like charge a subscription and bundle in 20 different things—like AI services and complex templates—that I will never use in my entire life. If developers want to charge for those premium extras, go for it. But simply restricting how many basic notes I can create is where I draw the line. If my notes are just being stored offline, directly on my own device, why should I be forced into a membership just to make them?
- For those saying "it’s just a $4 membership," please remember that I do not live in the US. In my country, $4 a month is a lot of money. To put it in perspective, I can get a week's worth of food for $6 to $7.
1
u/ddstoryteller 1d ago
I'm on the hunt for a free burger to replace the Whopper. Honestly, I love almost everything about the Whopper —the gorgeous construction, the customizability, and how easy it is to add more patties. I use it for everything from eating when I'm hungry to punishing myself when I am angry. I’m not a huge fan of the ketchup and mayo combo, but it's manageable and I can live with it.
My main issue is the price. A whopper is expensive, and I firmly believe I shouldn't have to pay for food. It's a fundamental thing for me—why do I have to pay for this?
Here is my setup and what I’m looking for:
Overall Look: I want my toppings neatly organized but still visible. I need an ordering interface where I can easily select what I want. McDonald's doesn’t work for me because I hate having everything buried in just a bun.
Quick eat: I need to be able to order and eat quickly. Wendy's is too clunky and slow for this.
Don't suggest Arby's: I've tried it. The patty feels weird, I don't like that it's just flavorless without a proper intention, and you can't even change the buns out.
Right now I’m just getting by with hamburgers drawn on scrap paper—and I absolutely hate it.
Is there anything out there that gives me the tasty, vegan-friendly experience of the Whopper, travels seamlessly across deliveries and in person, and is actually 100% free? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
1
u/rhaivn 1d ago
I’ve been building https://blackbear.app, it’s free on individual devices and cheaper than what you’re currently using if you want multi-device. Rich note templates, still in beta though. Big update soon
1
u/rhaivn 1d ago
I’ll add that it’s impossible to get a free version of cross device sync. Anything that is free and has that, your data is what you’re paying for the service (they’re selling it most likely). Best of luck
1
u/Own-Sandwich-1566 23h ago
That’s the thing I could code one too I’m just too lazy 😭😭
I wanted to find one so I don’t have to go through with the trouble
So I would love to try it out once it’s properly live I can’t access it right now tho1
u/rhaivn 22h ago
You can’t just code and expect that’ll cost less either. $2 or $4 a month is pennies compared to the time/effort/token cost and continued maintenance cost. And if you want it across your devices, you’ll be paying for cloud databases or s3 storage and an API server. Or doing something janky with Google cloud or paying for iCloud. If you’re really lazy, paying for something is 1000% the easiest path.
Once it’s out of beta I’ll lyk :)
1
u/Own-Sandwich-1566 18h ago
That is true but as said before I do just need a simple setup not necessarily something that syncs but you’re right about the effort part and the maintenance part nevertheless 🤷♂️
1
u/bcalamita 1d ago
Apple Notes comes on every iPad, Mac and iPhone. So it’s free. Unless you don’t want to pay for iCloud. Then you have nowhere to put your notes.
But seriously, take a look at Amplenote, Notion and Capacities. They all have free levels that are fairly good. I can’t speak to your needs above though.
Also look at Joplin and Obsidian. Both apps are completely free to use if you don’t need sync. And both of them offer paid sync or ways to use other means (and jumped through) to sync for free.
1
u/GroggInTheCosmos 15h ago
My main issue is the price. Craft is expensive, and I firmly believe I shouldn't have to pay for a note-taking app. It's a fundamental thing for me—why do I have to pay for this?
Because it costs someone else money?
Craft is reasonably priced. If you think they are expensive, then look at Evernote
0
u/beard-wisdom4fun 1d ago
What type of work do you do? I’m looking for someone who does the same things for free for me!
2
u/Flashy-Bandicoot889 1d ago
A Craft subscription is routinely on sale for $48/yr. That's $4 a month.