tl;dr I chose Craft Docs as my productivity tool for 2025 because it combines ease of use, stunning design, and flexibility that matches how I think and work. From planning a Disney trip on my phone in minutes to logging daily work notes seamlessly, Craft's intuitive formatting, offline capabilities, and supportive community stand out. It’s simpler than Notion, cleaner than Obsidian, and offers just enough structure without the "organization fatigue" of database-heavy systems. While no tool is perfect, Craft brings together everything I’ve learned from years of experimenting and makes it look good too.
Background
I’ve spent years hopping between productivity tools. From the early days of Evernote to Markdown-heavy Obsidian, and even running a side hustle building Notion templates, I’ve seen it all. I’ve also had my "Apple Notes only" phases, where simplicity felt like the answer.
One thing about me: I don’t jump tools every two weeks. I give each one a solid 90 days, and often I don’t completely abandon the old system—I experiment, integrate, and iterate. But with Craft Docs, something clicked, and it’s been a game-changer.
How I Got Started
I stumbled upon Craft during their V3 launch at the end of 2024, drawn in by a lifetime 50% discount. While it’s still a subscription, the pricing felt reasonable—unlike the ever-increasing costs of other tools. That offer was the nudge I needed to give it a shot.
Here’s what convinced me Craft was worth sticking with:
1. It Shines on the Go
I started my Craft trial on my iPhone right before a trip to Disney World. Within 30 minutes, I had a complete itinerary planned—all on my phone. It wasn’t just easy to organize; the notes looked amazing with zero effort. My wife bookmarked the page and used it all week to check rides, hotel info, and more. The ease and polish sold me right away.
2. No Markdown, No Problem
I’m not a Markdown guy. Sure, Obsidian’s system appeals to developers, but seeing all the #, *, and other annotations felt like clutter. Craft makes formatting intuitive and visually pleasing. Its templates and styles feel like they were made for someone like me—a UX designer who cares about aesthetics as much as functionality.
3. It Matches How My Brain Organizes
Notion’s database-heavy structure gave me "organization fatigue." I’d constantly wonder where to put things—Database #47? The inbox? A linked page? Craft simplifies this with its subpages, cards, and bidirectional links. It’s not perfect, but it’s closer to how I think: structured yet flexible.
4. Perfect for Interstitial Journaling
At work, I log my day as it happens—separate entries for meetings, tasks, and notes. It’s my secret weapon for performance reviews and staying on top of things. Craft makes this seamless with its Daily Notes feature and quick time/date stamps via the slash command. Obsidian had similar functionality, but the extra Markdown syntax clutter turned me off.
5. Offline Flexibility and Privacy
While Craft isn’t the most secure app out there (yet), it works for me. I store sensitive work files offline using the “External Location” feature, which ensures everything is protected by my IT setup. For personal use, I don’t upload highly sensitive data—I leave that to 1Password or a locked Google Drive. Craft’s offline capabilities make it versatile without over-complicating things.
6. A Community That Feels Like Home
I admire Notion for what it’s become, but it outgrew its original mission. Craft feels different. Their focus is still on individual users and consumers, not enterprise clients. The community feels tight-knit, and their team actively listens to feedback. Watching them roll out rapid updates reminds me of Notion in its earlier days.
Final Thoughts
Your productivity tool doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to work for you. Over the years, I’ve learned that the right tool is less about the app itself and more about building a system that works across tools.
- Notion taught me how to think in systems.
- Obsidian taught me the power of minimalism and connecting notes.
- Craft brought it all together in a way that feels intuitive and visually appealing.
Right now, Craft fits my life, but that doesn’t mean it will forever—and it doesn’t mean it has to work for you. At the end of the day, it’s about finding what supports your workflow, not what everyone else is using.
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