Heptabase

Leading the pack is Heptabase, arguably the most refined visual note-taking application currently available. It boasts a comprehensive array of features including task management, Readwise integration, a daily journal, and mobile applications for both iOS and Android—something not many visual note apps offer.

Heptabase provides several ways to utilize its capabilities. One primary function is the daily journal, where users can jot down thoughts, to-do lists, and insights from readings:

Additionally, users can create new pages, referred to as “cards,” for in-depth exploration of specific topics.

The app also features a Task tab, where all your to-dos are consolidated, enabling you to view and manage them conveniently. This feature has recently been added and allows for scheduling tasks by specific dates, which, while still basic, shows promise for future enhancements.

As a visual note app, Heptabase facilitates the organization of notes on an infinite canvas known as “whiteboards”:

Navigating to the Map section allows you to view collections of whiteboards within your knowledge base, which you can arrange to create a mental map of your ideas.

While I haven’t utilized it extensively lately, my collection includes whiteboards dedicated to goals, life principles captured as favorite quotes from books, and personal finance strategies represented in a visual format:

You can create a whiteboard tailored to any subject you want to visualize, whether for exam preparation, writing projects, organizing recipes, or planning trips.

The interface is user-friendly—simply drag and drop the desired cards from the sidebar to assemble your layout on the whiteboard.

Lines and arrows can be added to clarify relationships between cards, and you also have the option to create mind maps if that suits your preference.

Scrintal

Another noteworthy visual note app is Scrintal, which closely resembles Heptabase. However, instead of a daily journal, Scrintal features a section called My Desk, serving as a temporary workspace for all your notes:

Think of it as your notepad where you can jot down anything. Once you identify something worth preserving, you can select it to create a new whiteboard. If you have items you no longer need, you can simply clear your desk as you would in real life.

Inside a board, you have the ability to search for and drag the cards you wish to use.

You can also create columns for better organization of cards, making it suitable if you prefer the kanban-style method of information management.

However, I feel that Scrintal may lack some essential features, particularly when compared to Heptabase. For instance, Readwise integration is crucial for importing reading highlights, which Scrintal currently lacks. Additionally, there is no mobile app available. I understand that the app is still in its early stages, so I anticipate that more features will be added over time.

Traverse

Traverse stands out as a newer visual note app that is particularly beneficial for students. It uniquely combines mind mapping, flashcards, and bi-directional linking.

While it may appear somewhat basic, Traverse possesses significant potential. Users can create multiple whiteboards, known as "traverses," for various subjects—be it a book you're reading, a project in progress, or a class you're attending.

You can generate notes to place on the board to document your learning or ideas.

What sets Traverse apart is the ability to create flashcards from your notes. Simply click the “new flashcard” button or highlight the text you wish to memorize to convert it into a flashcard.

For my study sessions, I often create cloze deletions for material I want to remember or review later, which I find more convenient.

You can repeat this process for each note. Furthermore, you can visualize relationships between notes by connecting them with lines and arrows, facilitating a mind map structure.

Another unique feature is the bi-directional linking capability that allows you to connect different notes across various traverses. By clicking the link, you can swiftly navigate to the connected note, even if it's in a different traverse.

Additionally, Traverse has a mobile application, enabling users to create and review flashcards on the go, which I find particularly useful for making the most of spare moments.

AFFiNE

Another innovative application is AFFiNE, which combines various features uniquely. It resembles Notion but integrates mind mapping capabilities. Notably, it operates on a local-first model, ensuring that all your notes are stored directly on your device, providing offline accessibility.

You can take notes similarly to other applications, using slash commands to format text and incorporate elements like links, images, kanban boards, and tables—all of which are managed as blocks that can be rearranged by dragging.

What sets this app apart is the ability to switch to mind map view at any point.

For lengthy documents filled with information, this feature can be incredibly useful, allowing you to break down content into manageable segments and arrange them on the canvas as desired.

You can also enhance your notes with shapes, images, and other elements, and even draw directly within the app. While drawing on a laptop can be challenging, it becomes much easier on a tablet.

Overall, AFFiNE serves as an excellent tool not only for note-taking but also for brainstorming, planning, and sketching. It appears to be free, so it’s worth trying out if you’re interested.

Obsidian & Logseq

Both Obsidian and Logseq are considered among the best note-taking apps available, offering extensive customization options. They also feature infinite canvas capabilities.

These applications come with a variety of plugins that can be installed to tailor the apps to your preferences, making them ideal for users who enjoy tinkering with their note-taking tools.

Albus

Albus may be the ultimate tool for learning new concepts, functioning as an AI-enhanced mind mapping application. I reviewed it months ago and have noticed significant improvements since then.

The app operates by creating a board for any topic you wish to explore:

Albus will automatically generate a series of questions and subtopics to help guide your learning.

You can select any question you wish to delve deeper into, and the app will create relevant cards for you to explore further. If you need more information, you can pose your own questions, and Albus will provide answers.

Additionally, you can now ask questions about YouTube videos, PDF documents, and web pages directly through Albus. For instance, you can search for topics you want to learn about on YouTube right from the app.

Choose a video that piques your interest and enable insights:

Within moments, you’ll be able to ask questions about the video content, allowing you to learn without having to watch it.

The same functionality applies to PDF files and web pages; simply upload the document or URL and ask your questions.

I find this concept incredibly innovative and one of the best applications of AI in education. If Albus incorporated a flashcard feature similar to Traverse, it could become an ideal study tool.

Lattics

Finally, we have Lattics, an application that is particularly well-suited for students, academics, and writers. If you are familiar with the Zettelkasten note-taking method or atomic note-taking, Lattics is an excellent choice.

The app is built on the principle of hierarchical information management, allowing users to create projects, articles, and cards. A project consists of articles, while an article is composed of cards.

I personally use it to gather ideas as cards, and once I have a sufficient amount, I can compile them into an article.

This app is particularly ideal for those seeking a tool to implement the Zettelkasten method as outlined in "How to Take Smart Notes," or if you want a digital solution for Ryan Holiday’s writing strategy:

In addition, Lattics supports comments similar to Google Docs and footnotes, making it excellent for collaborative efforts and academic writing.

You can even modify the document style to resemble formats like the Economist, APA papers, or Medium articles.

Moreover, there’s a typewriter mode with optional keyboard sound effects, enhancing the writing experience.

Overall, Lattics offers a straightforward and intuitive interface that I truly appreciate. If you find other note-taking apps overwhelming with their multitude of options, Lattics is definitely worth considering.