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There is no shortage of Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tools available today. After months of trying different note-taking apps and systems, I stumbled upon Capacities. Within weeks, it became the perfect tool for my needs, transforming how I learn, think, and create. Capacities isn’t just another note-taking app; it’s a dynamic, interconnected workspace that has completely changed my productivity.
Top Reasons Capacities Stands Out
1. Cross-Platform Availability
Capacities excels in accessibility. It’s available on Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, and the web, ensuring seamless use across devices. While other tools like Craft fell short for me due to their lack of Android support, Capacities integrates perfectly into my workflow.
For tablet users, apps are in beta, and a native Linux version is on the way. Chromebook users can rely on the robust web version, making Capacities a truly versatile tool.
2. Object-Oriented Approach
Unlike traditional apps, Capacities organizes notes into “objects.” These objects act as customizable building blocks for categories like People, Books, Projects, Quotes, or Lectures. Each object can have unique properties like icons, cover images, or layouts.
For example, as a student, you could create a Lecture object with details like the date, key takeaways, and an “attended” checkbox. This level of organization eliminates the clutter of messy folders and ensures everything is easily searchable.
3. Linking Notes with Graph View
Capacities enables you to connect notes intuitively. Using the @ symbol, you can create relationships between ideas, forming a web of interconnected thoughts.
For instance, while writing a novel, you could link a Character object with their backstory, motivations, and relationships. Students can connect lecture notes for easy referencing. A graph view visualizes these connections, uncovering patterns and insights.
4. Daily Notes and Quick Capture
Daily notes and quick capture are essential for any PKM system, and Capacities delivers with a seamless calendar integration. You can jot down quick thoughts, review notes from specific days, and view a monthly summary—all more elegantly implemented than other tools like Notion or Obsidian.
Additionally, Capacities integrates with your phone’s share menu, making it simple to add content from other apps directly into your database.
5. Powerful Tables and Databases
Capacities includes advanced tables that rival Obsidian and expand organizational capabilities. Whether you’re tracking projects, managing finances, or organizing research data, these databases are highly customizable.
You can link tables to other objects and use formulas like sum, average, and median, making Capacities an all-in-one solution for managing complex information.
6. Built-In AI Assistant
The AI assistant in Capacities Pro elevates productivity by summarizing notes, fixing grammar, extracting key takeaways, and simplifying complex ideas. Users can also integrate their own OpenAI key for unlimited AI features, making it a versatile tool for enhancing creativity and understanding.
7. A Robust Free Plan
Capacities offers an impressive free plan for beginners. It includes:
- Unlimited spaces, objects, and blocks
- Cross-platform sync
- Full-text search
- Up to 5GB of media uploads
This plan is more than enough to explore the tool’s potential and determine if it suits your workflow.
What Could Be Better
Capacities isn’t perfect. It’s not open-source and doesn’t allow you to store data on your cloud service of choice (data is stored on encrypted servers). Additionally, there’s a learning curve to mastering its features. However, for me, these downsides are minor compared to the immense value it provides.
Why Capacities Is a Game-Changer
Capacities goes beyond simple note-taking to create a connected knowledge ecosystem. It’s helped me visualize and utilize my ideas in ways that traditional tools simply can’t. For anyone seeking a transformative PKM tool, Capacities is worth the try.
