

⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Craft paid plans start at $4.79/month. AFFiNE Pro paid plans start at $6.75/month.
- Best for: Craft suits polished notes and a compelling product story. AFFiNE Pro suits an all in one workspace with whiteboards and databases.
- Key difference: Craft is a design-first note taking app. AFFiNE Pro is an open source project that mixes docs whiteboards and advanced databases.
- Our pick: Craft for most users, thanks to its higher rating and cleaner writing focus.

Both Craft and AFFiNE Pro help you write, plan, and stay organized.
But they take very different paths to get there.
Craft leans into beautiful documents and simple note taking.
AFFiNE Pro packs docs, whiteboards, and databases into one app.
This guide breaks down both tools so you can pick with confidence.
Overview
This Craft vs AFFiNE Pro comparison covers pricing, features, and ease of use.
We also show who each platform works best for.
Our sources include published specs, documentation, and user reviews.
By the end, you will know which tool fits your specific needs.
What is Craft?
Craft is a note taking app for writing clean documents and notes.
It helps writers, students, and small teams stay organized.
The platform mixes blocks, style controls, and a built-in AI assistant.
Most users pick Craft for its polished design and simple workflow.
Watch the walkthrough below to see how it works.

Craft
Craft turns plain notes into documents you want to share. The AI assistant helps you draft, edit, and shape ideas fast.
Craft Pricing
Here is what Craft costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 per month | Solo notes and light use |
| Personal | $4.79 per month | Writers who want full features |
| Friends & Family | $8.99 per month | Shared household or small groups |
Pricing verified January 2026.

Free trial: The free plan lets you test core features with no credit card.
Money-back guarantee: Paid plans bill monthly, so you can cancel before the next cycle.
📌 Note: The Personal plan unlocks unlimited documents and the AI assistant. The free tier is enough to test the writing focus first.
⚠️ Warning: Some research online lists Craft.io product management pricing near $49 to $109. That is a different company. The figures above match the Craft notes app.
Key Benefits of Craft
Here is what makes Craft worth considering:
- Design-first documents: Craft makes notes look sharp with little effort. This helps you tell a compelling product story to any audience.
- Built-in AI assistant: Draft, rewrite, and summarize inside your notes. It speeds up planning and various tasks.
- Backlinks and structure: Link pages to build a small knowledge base. Ideas connect without extra tools.
- Presentation mode: Turn a document into slides in one click. Good for sharing a product vision quickly.
- Real time collaboration: Invite your team to edit together. Feedback collection stays in one place.
- Cross-device access: Notes sync across Mac, iOS, Windows, and web. You stay organized on every device.

What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for Craft and spent several days building notes and docs. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:

Craft Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Clean design makes documents look polished fast
- Built-in AI assistant helps you draft and edit
- Presentation mode shares ideas in one click
- Affordable Personal plan at $4.79 per month
❌ Cons
- No whiteboard or advanced databases
- Not open source, so you cannot self-host
- Fewer project planning tools than rivals
What is AFFiNE Pro?
AFFiNE Pro is an open source note taking app and all in one workspace.
It combines documents, whiteboards, and databases in one place.
Users write, draw, and plan without switching between different tools.
The app is local first and privacy focused, so your data stays with you.
See the platform in action below.

AFFiNE Pro
AFFiNE Pro brings docs, whiteboards, and databases together. This hyper fused platform is open source and privacy focused.
AFFiNE Pro Pricing
Here is what AFFiNE Pro costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FOSS + Basic | Free forever | Solo users and the open source community |
| Pro | $6.75/month | Power users who want more storage |
| Team | $10/seat/month | Teams managing projects together |
Pricing verified January 2026.

Free trial: The FOSS and Basic tier is free forever with no credit card.
Money-back guarantee: Paid plans bill monthly, so you can stop anytime before renewal.
📌 Note: Because AFFiNE Pro is an open source project, you can self-host the free version. Paid tiers add cloud sync and more storage.
⚠️ Warning: The Team plan bills per seat, so costs grow with each member. Check your team size before you upgrade.
Key Benefits of AFFiNE Pro
Here is what makes AFFiNE Pro worth considering:
- All the features in one app: Docs, whiteboards, and databases share one workspace. You combine documents and boards without other apps.
- Edgeless canvas: A whiteboard feature lets you brainstorm ideas and sketch freely. Great for visual planning and creativity.
- Open source and local first: The community can contribute to this open source project. Your notes stay private on your device.
- AFFiNE AI: Intelligent assistance helps with writing, drawing, and planning. It supports better organization across projects.
- Advanced databases: Build tables and Kanban boards to track progress. This is a feature rich way to manage projects.
- Cross-platform support: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus browser access. AFFiNE fits many workflow and operating system setups.

What Our Team Noticed
Our writer installed AFFiNE Pro and tested its docs, whiteboards, and databases. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:

AFFiNE Pro Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Combines docs, whiteboards, and databases in one workspace
- Open source and local first for strong privacy
- Free forever tier with no credit card
- Edgeless canvas for visual brainstorming
❌ Cons
- Interface feels busy for pure note taking
- Still maturing, so some features change often
- Team plan cost grows with each seat
Feature Comparison
Ready to dig into Craft vs AFFiNE Pro? We will walk through six key areas so you can match each platform to your workflow.
| Feature | Craft | AFFiNE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.79/month | $6.75/month |
| Free Plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Note Taking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Whiteboard | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced Databases | ❌ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI Assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Presentation Mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best For | Polished notes | All in one workspace |
1. Note Taking and Documents
Craft: Craft treats each note as a block-based document. The design is clean, so your notes and docs look ready to share. It is one of the tidiest note taking apps for writers.

AFFiNE Pro takes a broader view of the same job.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro uses a page and block structure much like Notion. You can combine documents, notes, and blocks in one flow. Handwriting and typing both work on the same page.

2. Whiteboards and Databases
Craft: Craft has no whiteboard or advanced databases. It focuses on documents and light structure. If you only need notes, that focus is a plus.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro adds an edgeless canvas for whiteboards and databases. This unique combination lets you sketch, plan, and store data in one app. It is a hyper fused platform for docs whiteboards and tables.
⚠️ Warning: If a whiteboard feature is central to your work, Craft will feel limited. This is the clearest gap between the two tools.
3. AI Assistance
Craft: Craft’s AI assistant drafts, rewrites, and summarizes inside your notes. It keeps the writing focus front and center. This suits quick edits and clean copy.

AFFiNE Pro spreads its AI across more surfaces.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE AI helps with writing, drawing, and planning. This intelligent assistance reaches into whiteboards and databases too. It fits users who want AI beyond plain text.
4. Collaboration
Craft: Craft supports real time collaboration on shared documents. Your team can collaborate, comment, and edit together. Feedback collection stays neat inside each doc.

AFFiNE Pro handles group work on a wider canvas.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro allows live real time collaboration on docs and whiteboards. Teams can align on goals and timelines together. This helps product teams keep progress visible.
5. Databases and Project Tracking
Craft: Craft leans on backlinks and folders for structure. It is light on project planning tools. You can stay organized, but complex tracking needs another app.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro adds database collections and Kanban boards. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. This makes it stronger for managing projects.
6. Platform and Privacy
Craft: Craft works across Mac, iOS, Windows, and web. It is a polished, closed-source app. Data lives in Craft’s cloud rather than on your machine.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro is local first and privacy focused. The open source project runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus browser. You can even self-host the latest version.
7. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.
| Plan | Craft | AFFiNE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 per month | Free forever |
| Entry Paid | $4.79/month (Personal) | $6.75/month (Pro) |
| Higher Tier | $8.99/month (Friends & Family) | $10/seat/month (Team) |
Craft: Craft is cheaper to start at $4.79 per month. The Personal plan unlocks the AI assistant and unlimited docs. It is strong value for solo writers.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE Pro gives more in its free tier since it is open source. Paid plans cost a bit more, but you get whiteboards and databases. Teams pay per seat, so plan for growth.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest starting price | Craft | Paid plan is cheaper |
| Whiteboards and databases | AFFiNE Pro | Craft lacks both |
| Polished documents | Craft | Design-first notes |
| Open source and privacy | AFFiNE Pro | Local first, self-host |
| Beginner-friendly notes | Craft | Simple, focused workflow |
💰 Your Budget
Craft starts cheaper at $4.79 per month. AFFiNE Pro gives more in its free tier, which helps tight budgets.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
AFFiNE Pro fits people who want one app for many jobs. Craft works best beside other apps you already use.
📝 Your Writing Style
Craft rewards writers who care about clean layout. AFFiNE Pro suits people who mix notes with visual planning.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners find Craft easy to learn. AFFiNE Pro has more capabilities, so it takes longer to master.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Both offer a free plan with no credit card. Test each one on a real project before you commit.
🛟 Support Options
Craft offers standard help docs and email support. AFFiNE Pro adds an active open source community that can respond fast.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these tools? Here is what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Craft to AFFiNE Pro?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Whiteboards and advanced databases in one workspace
- An open source, local first app you can self-host
- Kanban boards to manage projects and track progress
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Craft’s ultra-clean document design
- The simpler, distraction-free writing focus
- The lower $4.79 starting price
📋 How to switch:
- Export your Craft documents as Markdown
- Create a free AFFiNE Pro account
- Import notes and rebuild structure in the workspace
🔄 Switching from AFFiNE Pro to Craft?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Cleaner, more polished documents and notes
- A simpler interface with less clutter
- One-click presentation mode for sharing ideas
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The edgeless canvas whiteboard feature
- Advanced databases and Kanban boards
- Open source, self-host, and local first control
📋 How to switch:
- Export your AFFiNE Pro pages as Markdown
- Create a Craft account and pick a plan
- Import documents and tidy up formatting
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on solo users and small teams. We did not test large enterprise rollouts or deep API work. Our notes reflect the January 2026 versions, so features may change with the latest version. If you manage a big company or need heavy automation, your priorities may differ from what we cover here.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | Craft |
| 🚀 Core Features | AFFiNE Pro |
| ✍️ Writing Focus | Craft |
| 🎨 Visual Planning | AFFiNE Pro |
| 👶 Ease of Use | Craft |
| 🔒 Privacy & Open Source | AFFiNE Pro |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Craft |
🏆 WINNER: CRAFT
Craft wins on price, writing focus, and ease of use.
Best for: Polished notes, quick documents, and a compelling product story.
Craft and AFFiNE Pro solve related but different problems.
Craft is a design-first note taking app for clean documents.
AFFiNE Pro is an open source, all in one workspace for docs whiteboards and databases.
AFFiNE Pro is excellent for visual planning, privacy, and managing projects.
But if you mainly want beautiful notes at a lower price, Craft is the better pick for most users.
More of Craft Compared
Here is how Craft stacks up against other note taking tools:
Craft wins on: cleaner document design, faster startup, one-click presentation mode
Notion wins on: deeper databases, more integrations, a larger template library
Craft wins on: polished visuals, easier onboarding, built-in AI assistant
Obsidian wins on: local Markdown files, a bigger plugin library, free personal use
Craft vs Capacities
Craft wins on: simpler writing focus, sharper document export, lower entry price
Capacities wins on: object-based linking, a stronger personal knowledge base, flexible tagging
More of AFFiNE Pro Compared
Here is how AFFiNE Pro stacks up against other apps. The video below adds more context.
AFFiNE Pro wins on: open source code, local first storage, a built-in edgeless canvas
Notion wins on: a mature interface, more integrations, wider third-party support
AFFiNE Pro wins on: built-in whiteboards and databases, real time collaboration, an all in one workspace
Obsidian wins on: a lighter app, a huge plugin community, pure Markdown control
AFFiNE Pro vs Anytype
AFFiNE Pro wins on: a visual whiteboard, richer databases, easier docs whiteboards blend
Anytype wins on: end-to-end encryption, an object graph model, offline-first design
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Craft app good?
Yes. Craft is a strong note taking app for clean documents and simple planning. Its 4.3 rating reflects a polished design and helpful AI assistant.
Is AFFiNE Pro open source?
Yes. AFFiNE Pro is an open source project, so the community can contribute and self-host it. This supports privacy and long-term trust.
Does AFFiNE work offline?
Yes. AFFiNE Pro is local first, so it works offline and keeps your data on your device. Cloud sync is optional on paid plans.
Can you use Craft for free?
Yes. Craft has a free plan with no credit card. It covers core notes, while paid plans add unlimited docs and the AI assistant.
Which is the best note taking software?
It depends on your needs. Craft wins for polished writing at a low price. AFFiNE Pro wins for an all in one workspace with whiteboards and databases.













