Capacities vs Evernote
A studio for your mind vs a legacy note-taking workhorse
Evernote is one of the most recognized note-taking apps in the world, with millions of users and over a decade of history. Capacities is a modern knowledge studio built around connected objects. If you've been using Evernote for years and are considering a change, this comparison lays out what each tool does best — and where they fall short.
Coming from Evernote? Read our detailed switching guide in the docs.
Switching guideQuick comparison
At a Glance
Side by side
Feature Comparison
Knowledge Organization
AI Features
Capture & Clipping
Writing & Editing
Search & Navigation
Task Management
Plans compared
Pricing
CapacitiesFree tier
Core features, unlimited objects, all platforms, offline access
Pro
- AI assistant & auto-fill
- Queries & filtered views
- Calendar integration
- Task management
- Unlinked mentions
EvernoteFree tier
Up to 50 notes, 1 notebook, 1 device, 1 GB storage
Starter
- Unlimited notes & notebooks
- Offline access
- AI-powered search
- Home dashboard
Advanced
- Full AI Assistant (OpenAI-powered)
- PDF editing & annotation
- Boolean & advanced search
- 20 GB monthly uploads
What each excels at
Strengths
Every tool has areas where it shines. Here's an honest look at what each product does best.
Capacities
Connected knowledge, not just stored notes
Bi-directional links, graph view, and typed objects create a living knowledge system where ideas connect and compound — something Evernote's notebook model can't replicate.
Modern, intuitive interface
Users switching from Evernote consistently praise Capacities' clean, modern design and how naturally it fits their thinking — a stark contrast to Evernote's aging UI.
Half the price, more features
Capacities Pro at $9.99/month (billed annually) includes AI, queries, tasks, and calendar integration — while Evernote Starter starts at $8.25/month annually and Advanced at $20.83/month.
Active, responsive development
Frequent feature updates and an engaged team — a notable contrast to Evernote's post-acquisition slowdown and mass layoffs.
Generous free tier
Unlimited objects, all platforms, and full offline access for free — compared to Evernote's restrictive free tier (50 notes, 1 device, 1 notebook).
Evernote
Best-in-class web clipper
Evernote's web clipper is legendary — save full pages, simplified articles, or selections with a single click. It remains one of the best in any note-taking tool.
Document scanning and OCR
Built-in document scanner with excellent OCR turns physical documents into searchable digital notes — a feature deeply embedded in many users' workflows.
Legacy of trust and stability
Over a decade of operation with millions of users. For long-term note archiving, Evernote's track record provides a sense of permanence.
Mature task and calendar integration
Tasks with due dates, reminders, and Google Calendar sync provide a basic but functional productivity system alongside notes.
Honest trade-offs
Known Limitations
No product is perfect. Here are the common frustrations users report for each tool.
Capacities
No web clipper for full page capture
ModerateCapacities can save web links as objects but doesn't have a full-page web clipper that captures content like Evernote does.
No document scanning
ModerateNo built-in scanner for digitizing physical documents — a workflow Evernote users have relied on for years.
Limited Evernote import
ModerateWhile Capacities supports Markdown import, there's no dedicated Evernote importer. Migrating years of accumulated notes requires manual effort.
Younger product with smaller community
MinorAs a newer tool, Capacities' community and ecosystem are still growing compared to Evernote's massive, established user base.
OCR and attachment search not at Evernote parity
ModerateEvernote's search across scans, images, and attachments is a flagship strength. Capacities' OCR and deep in-file search are still maturing—if that workflow is essential, expect a real gap for now.
Evernote
Aggressive price increases
Common issueEvernote has implemented repeated price hikes and plan restructuring, with Advanced now at $20.83-$24/month. The pricing backlash has been severe.
"Evernote price hike is the final straw."
— Twitter (Marc Andreessen)
"Tired of paying $18/month for sync issues and feature bloat."
— Reddit r/Evernote
Restrictive free tier
Common issueThe free tier is limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook, and 1 device, making it almost unusable for serious note-taking without a paid subscription.
No connected thinking
Common issueNo graph view, no object types. Notes use traditional notebook organization — limited ability to visualize connections across your knowledge.
Sync and stability issues
Common issueUsers report sync failures, lost edits, and slow search speeds — issues that have worsened since the Bending Spoons acquisition.
Post-acquisition uncertainty
ModerateMass layoffs, aggressive monetization, and declining UX since the Bending Spoons acquisition have eroded user trust.
"Why I left Evernote after 13 years — bloat, high cost, poor search speed."
— Reddit r/Evernote
Best fit
Who Is It For?
Different tools serve different needs. Here's who benefits most from each.
Capacities is ideal for
Evernote refugees seeking modern PKM
If you've outgrown Evernote's notebook model and want connected, structured knowledge management — Capacities is the natural upgrade.
Researchers and lifelong learners
Typed objects, bi-directional links, and graph view create a knowledge system that Evernote's flat notes-in-notebooks model simply can't match.
Price-conscious users
More features at $9.99/month than Evernote Starter offers at $8.25/month annually — and Evernote's Advanced plan jumps to $20.83/month, with a far more restrictive free tier.
Writers and journalers
Daily notes, rich block editor, and beautiful design make Capacities a joy for daily writing and reflection.
Evernote is ideal for
Web clipping power users
If your primary workflow is capturing web content for reference, Evernote's clipper remains the gold standard.
Document digitizers
Built-in scanning with excellent OCR is essential for users who regularly digitize physical documents, receipts, and paperwork.
Long-term digital archivists
If you've accumulated 10+ years of notes and primarily need a stable archive, Evernote's track record provides peace of mind.
Simple, no-frills note-takers
If you want a straightforward notes-in-notebooks system without learning objects, links, or graphs — Evernote's simplicity is its strength.
Bottom line
The Verdict
Capacities and Evernote represent two different eras of note-taking. Evernote is a veteran tool built for capturing and filing notes — it does that well, especially with its web clipper and scanner. Capacities is a modern knowledge studio built for connecting and compounding ideas. If you're looking for a storage system, Evernote works. If you're looking for a thinking system, Capacities is a significant upgrade — at a lower price.
Choose Capacities if…
- You want your notes to connect and compound, not just sit in folders
- You're tired of Evernote's price increases and restrictive free tier
- You need modern features like AI, queries, graph view, and daily notes
- Active product development and a responsive team matter to you
- You want a generous free tier with unlimited objects and full offline access
Choose Evernote if…
- Web clipping with full page capture is central to your workflow
- You regularly scan physical documents and need built-in OCR
- You have years of accumulated notes and aren't ready to migrate
- You prefer a simple notebooks-and-tags system without objects or links
- Your workflow primarily involves archiving rather than connecting knowledge
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-04-15
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