Octarine vs. Apple Notes
Ready to graduate from Apple Notes? Octarine gives you proper markdown, note linking, graph view, and cross-platform freedom.
Level up from basic notes to a real knowledge management system.
You want a free app already installed on every Apple device and only need straightforward notes, scans, and quick capture.
How They Compare
Strengths & Weaknesses
Octarine
- Price: Free, $79 for Pro features
- File Format: Standard markdown files
- Platform Support: macOS, Linux, Windows
- A smaller ecosystem than Apple Notes
- Focused on personal notes rather than every possible workflow
- Some Apple Notes features do not have a direct equivalent
Apple Notes
- Free and built into Apple devices
- Excellent capture from the share sheet, camera, and Pencil
- Simple iCloud sync with no extra setup
- Price: Free
- File Format: Apple's format
- Platform Support: Apple devices only
Summary
Apple Notes is fine for shopping lists and quick thoughts. But if you're taking notes for work, research, studying, or any kind of serious thinking, you need better tools. Octarine gives you those tools without overwhelming complexity.
The fact that Octarine stores notes as plain files is huge. In 10 years, those markdown files will still open in any text editor. Can you say the same about Apple Notes? Apple changes their apps all the time, sometimes removing features or changing how things work. Your files are yours forever.
If you're hesitant because Apple Notes is free — Octarine's core features are free too. You can use it forever without paying. The Pro features are nice to have but not essential. And even if you do buy Pro, it's a one-time $79 payment. That's like... two months of Netflix for a tool you'll use every day.
Switching from Apple Notes to Octarine
Frequently Asked Questions
Start writing with Octarine.
A fast, private Markdown workspace for capturing ideas, shaping notes, and keeping your writing in files you control.