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What is the best alternative to The Brain?
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MindMup
All
9
Experiences
Pros
6
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Frictionless interface
MindMup allows focusing on thoughts and productively capture them without getting in the way.
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Top
Con
Note capacity is limited
MindMup is good for mapping out thoughts that could be summarized in bullet points, but longer notes aren't as practical for this service.
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Top
Pro
Browser-based
Don't need to install anything, just open the website and you are set.
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Top
Con
Unconventional note taking style
It's a mind mapping application, not a traditional text based note storage platform.
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Top
Pro
Just works
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Top
Pro
Compatible with Google Drive and Github
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Top
Pro
Easy sharing & presenting
After taking notes, it only takes seconds to share and/or prepare them for presentations.
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Top
Pro
Free and open source
MindMup is free with source code available on GitHub.
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Specs
Platforms:
Web
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Experiences
FREE
71
9
Boostnote
All
15
Experiences
Pros
10
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
Cross platform support
Supports Windows, macOS and Linux.
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Top
Con
Some of the features are not consistent
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Top
Pro
Markdown support
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Top
Con
Must use third-party service for sync-ing (Dropbox, etc.)
Boostnote does not have sync-ing capabilities and relies on third-party services to fulfil notes storage. There are additional steps involved to set this up.
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Top
Pro
Free
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Top
Con
Can't work in "real" offline mode
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Top
Pro
Open source
See here.
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Top
Con
Very poor syncing
Data loss may occur on syncing.
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Top
Pro
Great for developers
Boostnote is great for developers looking to take programming notes with code snippets and such.
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Top
Pro
Supports code snippets and syntax highlighting
Boostnote has the ability to store code snippets and comes with syntax highlighting out of the box, supporting many languages.
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Top
Pro
Works offline
Boostnote doesn't require an internet connection to work. You can write notes offline and sync later.
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Top
Pro
Global search, tag feature
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Top
Pro
Comes with many themes
Boostnote comes with many themes out of the box, most of which are popular themes and color schemes for code editors: e.g. 3024, base16, solarized, tomorrow.
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Top
Pro
vim/emacs key bindings available
Boostnote supports vim/emacs key bindings. If you're a developer familiar with either of them, navigation should be easy to pick up.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows/MacOS/Linux/Android/IOS
License:
GPL v3
API:
No
Dark Theme:
Yes
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Experiences
Get it
here
605
54
MindMeister
All
13
Experiences
Pros
7
Cons
6
Top
Pro
Web and mobile versions available
In addition to web software, MindMeister is available on iOS and Android mobile platforms as well.
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Top
Con
No good offline mode
You can only work completely offline when using an iOS or Android device. For your browser there's only a clumsy 'offline mode' available. If you didn't hit the switch before you have the need for working offline (for instance: in a meeting, at a customer's location, in a plane, etc.) than your out of luck... no tool for note taking. Especially with all those HTML5-capable browsers and the Chrome App store (including Desktop apps), this limits the usage of this commercial product.
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Top
Pro
Notes can be shared and collaborated on in real-time
MindMeister allows sharing maps with an unlimited number of collaborators so it's possible to take notes and brainstorm together. Mind maps can be shared by inviting people either directly via email or by sending them a link to the map. Even people without a MindMeister account can access the maps and even edit them.
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Top
Con
Expensive compared to the competition
A basic monthly subscription ($92 USD) gives you no more than XMind FREE except PDF exporting. XMind paid with PDF export is $79. $20 less for lifetime use of an app with more features as of writing.
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Top
Pro
Comments and votes
Users can create polls and have collaborators vote individual topics up or down, or comment on them.
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Top
Con
Free option limited to 3 mind maps
A free XMind app/online account or MindMup account both provide unlimited mind maps.
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Top
Pro
Various layouts
User can switch between classical mind map layout, a layout where all topics are aligned on the left or the right, and org chart layout.
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Top
Con
MindMeister has very poor Evernote integration
Evernote is the number one 'store-everything-archive' when it comes to unstructured data or information. MindMeister markets there Evernote integration as a very cool feature. But this integration is very basic and buggy: only the last 50 (?) notes from Evernote's default notebook are shown in the list, and it takes about 30 seconds to one full minute to generate that list. After that it takes about the same amount of time to add a copy of the selected note as an attachment to a topic. MindMeister support is well aware of this poor implementation, but doesn't put any effort in fixing it.
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Top
Pro
Clear overview without losing any details
The mind mapping format provides with a clear overview of connections, hierarchies and relationships of notes. At the same time, it's possible to add more detailed notes, links, pictures and even whole files to the keywords, so that no important information gets lost.
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Top
Con
Very basic
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Top
Pro
One node can have marks, emoticons and comments
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Top
Con
The interface has only very basic features
For example, it lacks the possibility to define a long text under the node title showing it in a permanent way. The software is 1000 less powerful than Microsoft Visio. Meanwhile it should just be more specific.
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Top
Pro
Adding a Table or Matrix
Xmind is one of the few mind maps that allows you to add a table or matrix to your mind map. Very useful when you have content that works better in a table.
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Experiences
$6 - $15 / mo
107
22
Supernotes
All
5
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
Short-form note-cards
The note-card format is incredibly versatile, and great when you have lots of information.
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Top
Con
Only web apps for now
The developers haven't released native apps yet.
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Top
Pro
Responsive platform
Works on all devices, from mobiles to laptops.
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Top
Pro
Full Markdown (with LaTeX equation) support
Great to be able to use all the features of Markdown, rather than a select few.
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Specs
Platforms:
Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
API:
Yes
Collaborative:
Yes
Search:
Yes
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here
28
0
Coggle
All
11
Experiences
Pros
9
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Supports Markdown (their own variant)
Markdown is a plain text formatting syntax designed so that it can optionally be converted to HTML using a tool by the same name.
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Top
Con
Tree relations only; no non-parent links
Coggle's model allows a node to have multiple children, but only one parent, and no other connections of any sort.
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Top
Pro
Collaborative
Coggle allows inviting friends and colleagues to work collaboratively on notes and diagrams in real-time.
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Top
Con
Unconventional note taking style
Coggle is a mind mapping application, not a traditional text based note storage platform.
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Top
Pro
Pretty diagrams
No effort to create beautiful diagrams.
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Top
Pro
Supports LaTeX
LaTeX is a document preparation system and document markup language. It is the de facto standard for the communication and publication of scientific documents.
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Top
Pro
Allows easy color-coding of paths
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Top
Pro
Versioning support
Enter history mode to view all changes to a diagram over time, and make a copy from that point.
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Top
Pro
Optional Chrome store App
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Top
Pro
Free
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Top
Pro
Lots of export options
Exports to PDF, image, plaintext and .mm files.
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Experiences
$0-$8/M
61
27
Checkvist
All
12
Experiences
Pros
10
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
As simple or as complex as you need
Checkvist hits a sweet spot between minimal and complexity. It gives you a host of options and extras to use on your lists, but you can completely ignore them if you don't need them and keep it very simple. This makes Checkvist a one-stop shop, regardless of what type of 'list' you need.
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Top
Con
Limited capability in the android app
Checkvist is primarily a web interface.
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Top
Pro
Tasks can be managed with custom tags
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Top
Pro
vim-like commands
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Top
Pro
Convenient search by text or tag filtering
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Top
Pro
Converts incoming emails to todos - this is a way to enter tasks from anywhere.
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Top
Pro
Great search
Search filters help you search for tasks by tag, due date, assignee, etc.
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Top
Pro
Very flexible
To-do lists often need to be grouped and regrouped for clarity. The outline-based nature of Checkvist makes it easy to move things across categories, to increase and decrease priority, etc.
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Top
Pro
Smart parsing of items
Parses markdown, html links, hashtags to become formatted text, clickable links, and tags, respectively.
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Top
Pro
Generous set of free features
Checkvist offers many free features if you are using this individually.
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Top
Pro
Supports comments on tasks
Any item can have a free-text comment, which can be shown or hidden as desired.
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Specs
Platforms:
Web-based, Android/iOS PWA
API:
yes
Collaborative:
yes
Dark Theme:
yes
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Experiences
$3.9
57
1
Draft
All
4
Experiences
Pros
4
Top
Pro
Markdown to-dos
Draft supports Github style Markdown Todos.
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Top
Pro
Hemingway Mode
Draft will turn off the ability to delete anything in the document. It will be possible to only write at the end of what's already written. It won't allow going back; only forward. "Write drunk; edit sober" -Ernest Hemingway.
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Top
Pro
Cloud sync
Documents can be imported from cloud services like Dropbox, Evernote, Box, Google Drive.
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Top
Pro
Version control
With documents shared with Draft, any changes collaborator made by collaborators are on their own copy of the document, and the user gets to accept or ignore each individual change made.
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here
9
0
Notes Plus
All
5
Experiences
Pros
4
Cons
1
Top
Pro
Customer Support service is outstanding
They support any inquiries in 24 hours. Never ignore emails.
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Top
Con
The price is premium so it's not affordable for most users
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Top
Pro
Handwriting recognition feature that can convert handwriting to digital text in one step
This app offers handwriting recognition for 52 languages and it works pretty accurately.
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Top
Pro
The UI is clean and easy to use
There are 3 themes for different use case. Flat theme looks nice and clean.
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Top
Pro
Most beautiful handwriting experience and it fully supports Apple Pencil
Superior than GoodNotes or Notability. It’s really nice to have folders and even folders within folders for serious organization. Audio recording helps to catch up with lectures.
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9.99
6
0
Inkdrop
All
12
Experiences
Pros
10
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Cross-platform support
Support Windows, macOS, Linus and mobile.
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Top
Con
Expensive
$9.80 per month is a lot for a note-taking app
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Top
Pro
Extensible
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Top
Con
Only subscription-based
Can not buy it straight up.
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Top
Pro
Syntax highlighting, multiple themes out of box
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Top
Pro
Markdown support
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Top
Pro
Distraction free mode
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Top
Pro
Supports Mathematical Equations
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Top
Pro
Ability to draw Sequence Diagrams
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Top
Pro
Plugins add extra functionality and themes
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Top
Pro
Public API
More things could be done via its powerful API support.
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Top
Pro
Global search and tag feature
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Experiences
$9.80/mo
22
1
ThinkComposer
All
4
Experiences
Pros
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Multilevel
Diagrams can be multilevel, this means that they can have nested diagrams within them.
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Top
Pro
Open source
Licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License v3.
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Top
Pro
Tables
Tables can be populated from CSV files.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows
Technology:
C#
Hide
Free
5
0
CmapTools
All
4
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
HiRes bug
Being a Java Swing application, High Resolution monitors are not handled well under Windows 10. This is a documented Java bug.
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Top
Pro
Web version
Web-based, online version of CmapTools available. It is also possible to install your own CmapServer.
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Top
Pro
iPad app
An iPad app is available.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac
Technology:
Java
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Free
4
0
iMindMap
All
4
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
Doesn't overwhelm with options by default
The application only surfaces the essential features by default and gives access to advanced features only when needed. For example, a you can perform 4 actions with a branch by default - add a new subtopic, add a new box topic, add a new relationship and adjust the branch's position.
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Top
Con
No American English language option
The software is only available in UK English.
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Top
Pro
Allows auto-creating presentations from mind-maps
It's possible to have the application automatically create slides along with transitions for presentation purposes. It's then possible to adjust the outcome.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, Android, Web
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Paid
23
2
WizNote
All
4
Experiences
Pros
4
Top
Pro
Free trial
Users get a free trial for 100 days.
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Top
Pro
Supports Markdown
Supports Markdown with extensions including LaTeX, TOC(Table of contents), flow chart, sequence chart.
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Top
Pro
Cooperation
You can create teams for cooperation. Members in a team can edit notes together. You can comment under a note or send messages to others for discussion.
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Top
Pro
Real cross-platform
Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android and Web.
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here
11
1
Mobisle Notes
All
4
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
Major limitations for free users
Free users are not able to share their notes via direct URL, they cannot sync notes over devices, and they have to deal with ads at the bottom of every note.
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Top
Pro
Clean, user-friendly, stylish interface
Mobisle Notes does not overwhelm the user with options like due-dates and prioritization like other apps do. It doesn't clutter the screen with buttons that are never used. The basic interface is just a plain and simple notepad. Android lacks a default notepad app. Of all the basic notepad apps on Android, Mobisle Notes is the most beautiful, and the perfect fill-in for anyone looking for something similar to the iPhone's default notepad app.
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Top
Pro
Checklists
The most common use for a notepad app is as a quick checklist. Mobisle Notes lets you switch to checklist mode with a button press, so you can easily mark things as done, rather than having to delete all the text.
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Specs
Platforms:
iOS; Android
Hide
$0-$9.99/Y
33
3
Litewrite
All
6
Experiences
Pros
5
Cons
1
Top
Con
Data not encrypted
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Top
Pro
Remote storage
Supports the remoteStorage protocol for privacy-aware personal data storage.
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Top
Pro
Free and Open Source Software
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Top
Pro
Distraction free
No markup.
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Top
Pro
Completely browser based
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Top
Pro
Very minimalistic
Its without any frills and quite unadorned and yet rather functional. For those who like it plain and simple and open source and non-corporate this is rather good.
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here
2
0
Org-mode
All
7
Experiences
Pros
6
Cons
1
Top
Pro
Very flexible
Org-mode is characterized by a flexible and versatile system with adaptability to different workflows, making it comparable as an Evernote alternative. It is at once simple and complex., which helps it to compete as an Evernote alternative.
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Top
Con
Difficult to learn
Org-mode has a difficult learning curve since you have to learn all the keybindings and commands. It's especially difficult if you are not used to Emacs.
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Top
Pro
Built-in agenda
Org-mode has some built-in agenda functionality. You can schedule tasks and assign various degrees of importance to each of them. Org-mode agenda can also be synced with Google Calendar.
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Top
Pro
Versioning can be tracked and synced using Git or other VCS
Org files are plain text, and lend themselves well to version control. Emacs also has good integrations for various VCS.
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Top
Pro
Great sync support
Notes and to-dos can be synced with Trello, Toodledo, Simplenote, Orgmobile, or with tools like Git on Github, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Bitbucket, while WebDAV (with iOS and Android) can also be exported to PDF, mind map, LaTeX, HTML, Docbook, or txt.
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Top
Pro
Basic spreadsheet functionality
Org-mode has some basic spreadsheet functionality. Other than auto-formatting ASCII tables (a notoriously annoying problem), it also has support for LISP-like syntax to define equations or any other functionality that can be achieved through spreadsheets.
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Top
Pro
Out-of-the-box Latex support
Org-mode has out-of-the-box support for Latex: it can immediately parse equations (or other Latex markup) and can even compile notes to PDF or HTML.
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Experiences
Free
158
14
Logseq
All
10
Experiences
Pros
7
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Privacy-first
Logseq is a privacy-first tool for thought.
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Top
Con
Keyboard-driven editing/navigating is descent but average
It is only because I was a long-time Checkvist user that I say this. Checkvist has keyboard-driven controls which are in a league of their own.
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Top
Pro
Networked notes
Similar to Roam's technique of letting the notes flow with links to each other.
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Top
Con
Still in Alpha
Logseq is still in Alpha and is under heavy development.
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Top
Pro
Local-first software
Every topic is its own flat file. Nothing is better than keeping your data in the file system with an option of git source control or online backup. https://www.inkandswitch.com/local-first/
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Top
Pro
Daily journal is capture on Steriods
The daily journal feature allows you to quickly capture disparate topics under today's date and by way of tags make things organized and findable from any topic page.
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Top
Pro
Open source
Logseq is opensource.
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Top
Pro
Structured data over willy-nilly formatting
Lots of apps are too graphically flexible in how they allow content to be entered, placed, and formatted. They act like Word when what you want when authoring content is Markdown. Content and semantic structure, not graphical frills.
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Top
Pro
Org syntax
Logseq support Emacs Org syntax out of the box.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS
Technology:
Clojure
Offline access:
Yes
Markdown support:
Yes
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Experiences
FREE
111
11
SynapBook
All
9
Experiences
Pros
8
Cons
1
Top
Pro
Memo can be structured in tree form
Using the tree structure, you can structure the content.
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Top
Con
Does not support iOS
This app only supports Android and desktop OS, but not iOS.
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Top
Pro
Nice sticky memo UI
It can support pop-up notes which can be used like simple Windows Sticky memo app.
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Top
Pro
Both search-based Memo and organizing tree Note
Search-based notes and tree-oriented tree notes are supported separately, so can be used conveniently depending on the purpose.
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Top
Pro
Offline mode support
Basically, it is based on server synchronization, but it can be used offline.
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Top
Pro
Folding
Groups can be folded.
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Top
Pro
Various text styles and decorations
General styles (bold, font size), highlighter and separator line, and more.
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Top
Pro
Frequent updates
Bug fixes and additional new features rolled out frequently.
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Top
Pro
Free
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Experiences
Free
85
10
Zenkit
All
4
Experiences
Pros
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Powerful and simple to use tool with a clean design
Easy to use and easily understandable for everyone.
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Top
Pro
Many important data views
Data views include Mind-Map, Kanban-Board, Spreadsheet, List, and Calendar. Views can be switched easily.
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Top
Pro
Native apps
Native apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.
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Specs
Platforms:
Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone
Languages:
English, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese (traditional), Korean, Russian
API:
Yes
Collaborative:
Yes
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Free / paid
120
13
Gingko
All
7
Experiences
Pros
5
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
Limited free version
The free version is limited to 100 cards and 10 documents. Depending on how you use it, this might not be enough.
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Top
Pro
You can customize colors
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Top
Pro
Allows focusing on one piece of information at a time
Since Gingko documents are "trees", they are always organized on the go. And since everything is written in cards, it is possible to focus on one chunk of content at a time.
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Top
Pro
Easy to overview
Despite the complexity of the tree structure, it's always clear where you are, and how to quickly add your thoughts.
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Top
Pro
Markdown support
All formatting is done via Markdown.
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Top
Pro
Non-linear
Non-linear notetaking allows you more flexibility, freedom and creativity.
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Specs
Platforms:
Web
Preview:
Live Preview
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Experiences
Get it
here
19
3
Built By the Slant team
Find the best product instantly.
4.7 star rating
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