Craft Review
After 6 months of daily use for personal notes, team documentation, and client proposals, Craft has become my go-to document app for anything that needs to look polished. The combination of speed (under 1 second page loads), beautiful design, and Apple-native experience is exactly what Notion tries to be but never quite achieves.
Quick Intel
Free tier available. No credit card required.
Pricing Breakdown
Craft's December 2025 pricing is refreshingly simple. The free tier is usable (not crippled), Plus at $10/month unlocks everything individuals need, and Team/Business tiers add collaboration features. Students and educators get full access free with a verified email.
- Up to 10 documents
- 2 extra free documents per week
- 1,500 content blocks limit
- 1 GB storage
- 25 MB media upload limit
- 7 days version history
- AI Assistant with 15 credits/month
- Basic AI models (Core, Fast)
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Unlimited documents and storage
- Unlimited content blocks
- Unlimited media uploads
- Up to 5 spaces
- 30 days version history
- AI Assistant with 50 credits/month
- Advanced AI models (Core, Fast, Max)
- Password-protected links
- Custom branding
- Advanced sharing options
- Cross-device sync
- All Plus features
- 2-6 members
- Up to 5 spaces
- Each member gets Plus account
- Shared Space collaboration
Save 20% with annual billing. Plus drops to $8/mo, Team to $50/mo when billed yearly.
Craft Document Creation ROI Calculator
- Craft reduces document creation time by ~40% through templates and speed
- Based on user reports of faster page loads and drag-and-drop organization
- Time savings vary based on document complexity and template usage
Feature Analysis
I've stress-tested every major feature, from the AI assistant to real-time collaboration. Here's where Craft genuinely excels-and where it still needs work.
Design & UX
This is Craft's killer feature. Every document looks publication-ready without effort. The block-based editor feels intuitive, drag-and-drop works perfectly, and the app is genuinely beautiful. G2 rates it 9.7/10 for content editing.
Speed
Sub-second page loads, instant sync, responsive typing. Craft feels faster than every competitor I've tested. This alone justifies switching from Notion for document-focused work.
AI Assistant
Built-in AI with on-device models (DeepSeek R1, Llama 3.2) for privacy plus cloud options (GPT-4o). 15 free credits/month, 50 on Plus. Good for drafting and summarizing-not ChatGPT-level, but seamlessly integrated.
Collaboration
Real-time editing, multiple sharing permissions (view/edit/comment), public links, password protection. Works well for teams under 10. Larger teams may miss folder-level sharing (only individual documents can be shared).
Cross-Platform
Native apps for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, and web. The Apple experience is excellent; Windows/web are functional but lack polish. Android users are out of luck entirely.
Version History
7 days on free, 30 on Plus. G2 rates this 6.7/10-weaker than competitors. If you need robust version control for compliance or legal work, look elsewhere.
The Honest Truth
Based on 6 months of daily use across personal notes, team wikis, and client-facing proposals.
- Stunning Design Without Effort - Every document looks polished by default. Rich media embedding, beautiful typography, and publication-ready output without touching CSS or templates.
- Blazing Fast Performance - Sub-second page loads even with large documents. Craft feels snappy where Notion feels sluggish. This speed advantage is immediately noticeable.
- Built-in AI That Respects Privacy - On-device AI models (DeepSeek R1, Llama 3.2) process locally. Cloud models (GPT-4o) available when you need more power. No separate AI subscription required.
- Apple Ecosystem Integration - iCloud sync, Apple Shortcuts, Writing Tools, Lock Screen widgets. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, Craft feels like a native system app, not a third-party tool.
- Free Education Plan - Students and educators get unlimited documents and premium features free with verified school email. One of the best education discounts in the productivity space.
- Limited Customization - You can't deeply customize formatting, layouts, or workflows. Craft is opinionated about design-which is great until you need something it doesn't offer.
- No Folder Sharing - You can only share individual documents, not folders or entire spaces. For teams with complex permission structures, this is a significant limitation.
- Weak on Non-Apple Platforms - Windows app exists but lacks polish. Web app is functional but limited. Android doesn't exist. This is an Apple-first product, period.
- No Database Features - If you need Notion-style databases, kanban boards, or timeline views, Craft can't help. It's a document app, not an all-in-one workspace.
Who Should Use This
Craft excels for specific use cases and falls short for others. Here's who will get the most value.
Writers & Content Creators
Distraction-free writing with beautiful output. The block-based editor makes organizing long-form content intuitive. Public web publishing turns any doc into a shareable page.
Best FitApple Ecosystem Users
iCloud sync, Shortcuts integration, Writing Tools support, Lock Screen widgets. If your workflow is Mac/iPhone/iPad, Craft fits like a native app.
Best FitSmall Teams (Under 10)
Real-time collaboration works smoothly for small groups. Team tier at $60/month covers up to 10 members with shared workspaces and admin controls.
Best FitStudents & Educators
Free Education plan includes unlimited documents and premium features. Requires verified school email but delivers exceptional value.
Good FitWindows/Android-Primary Users
Windows app exists but lacks the polish of native macOS. No Android app at all. If you're not in the Apple ecosystem, consider Notion or Obsidian instead.
Not IdealDatabase Power Users
No databases, kanban boards, or timeline views. If you need Notion's all-in-one workspace capabilities, Craft will feel limiting.
Not Idealvs. Competition
How does Craft compare to the other major note-taking and documentation apps in December 2025?
My take: Craft wins on design and speed but loses on flexibility. Choose Craft if you want beautiful documents fast. Choose Notion if you need databases and project management. Choose Obsidian if you want local-first privacy and deep customization. Many power users keep both Craft (for polished output) and Notion (for workspace management).
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about Craft in December 2025.
Final Verdict
The Most Beautiful Document App I've Used
Craft has earned a permanent spot on my Mac dock. The combination of stunning design, blazing speed, and seamless Apple integration makes document creation genuinely enjoyable. The built-in AI assistant with on-device privacy is a nice bonus. Is it perfect? No-the lack of databases limits its usefulness as an all-in-one workspace, and Windows/Android users will feel like second-class citizens. But for writers, Apple users, and anyone who wants beautiful documents without the Notion learning curve, Craft at $10/month is the best value in the document space.
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