As a developer, taking effective notes is an essential skill that can greatly enhance your learning and productivity. Whether you're a programming beginner, junior developer, or a student delving into new technologies, having the right note-taking app can make all the difference. In this article, we'll explore four fantastic note-taking apps specifically tailored to meet the needs of developers: Bear, Acreom, Notion, and Obsidian. Each app brings unique features and functionalities to the table, allowing you to capture and organize your tech notes efficiently. So, let's dive in and find the perfect note-taking companion for your coding journey!
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Capacities is still a new app, but it has matured so much over the last year. The main idea of Capacities is that everything is an object. Just like in JavaScript, right? For example, you will have an object for books and an object for weblinks. When you add content, it will be saved under that object. Once you get used to this idea, it is so much easier to collect ideas, links, PDFs etc. I have using Capacities for a long time now, and it just gets better. They currently only have a web app and a desktop app, but the mobile app is in alpha, so it is not too long until we see a mobile app too.
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Acreom is a feature-rich note-taking app specifically designed for developers. It offers a clean and distraction-free writing environment, allowing you to focus solely on capturing your thoughts and code snippets. Something that I really like about Acreom, is the NLP. You can type something like "fix bug tomorrow" and that task will be automatically added to tomorrow. Similar to how Todoist does it. Acreom shines in its code formatting capabilities, which include syntax highlighting and auto-indentation. It can also integrate with Jira for better task tracking. Acreom also supports Markdown, enabling you to create well-structured and visually appealing notes.
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I am sure you have already heard about this one or duplicated a template and thought you are going to be much more productive now that you are using Notion. Well, that is rarely true, but the app itself is still one of the best. The biggest advantage of Notion is its versatility and databases. I often find myself missing the Notion databases in other apps. is a versatile all-in-one productivity tool that goes beyond traditional note-taking. So, if databases are something you need, then look no further than Notion.
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Obsidian takes a unique approach to note-taking by offering a powerful knowledge base built on the concept of interconnected notes. It allows you to create a network of linked notes, enabling you to establish meaningful connections between ideas, concepts, and code snippets. The notes in Obsidian are stored as Markdown files locally on your computer, so if you are privacy-oriented then Obsidian is the way to go. You can sync them with iCloud or Dropbox, but I found that process to be tedious and not always perfect. They offer a sync plan which costs around $10 a month, so if you need sync you can go down that route. Another great feature is Obsidian's graph visualization which enhances navigation and exploration, making it an ideal choice if you are someone who appreciates a visual representation of your knowledge.
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Inkdrop is a powerful note-taking app specifically designed for developers and focused on Markdown editing. It offers a clean and distraction-free interface that enables you to concentrate on your code and content. Inkdrop's code syntax highlighting ensures that your code snippets are visually distinguishable, aiding readability. Moreover, Inkdrop provides robust search and organization capabilities, allowing you to effortlessly locate and manage your tech notes. It is developed by a single developer, Takuya, who also makes one of the best developer videos. Check out his YouTube channel here!
It's important to note that each app has its strengths and features, so I encourage you to explore all the options mentioned in this article. As you progress in your programming career, finding the note-taking app that resonates with your workflow and preferences will become an invaluable asset in your quest for knowledge. Happy note-taking!