An Apple Notes Alternative: Quick Capture With AI
A faster, simpler alternative for capturing and organizing your thoughts
Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro
Brain Dump vs Apple Notes
Feature comparison
| BrainDump | Apple Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating |  4.8 App Store rating (214 ratings) · 10,000+ users | Apple Notes is preinstalled and has no App Store rating |
| Pricing | Free, with Focus from $3.99/week or $99.99/year | Free, included with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Extra iCloud storage from $0.99/month. |
BrainDump
Strengths
- Dump mode: write everything out first, then sort the pile when you are ready
- Ask your notes, transform them and untangle a long ramble into separate notes
- Works in any browser as well as on Apple devices, so Android and Windows users are covered
- Opens to a blank note with no folders or accounts to choose first
Trade-offs
- Not built into the system, so other Apple apps do not save to it
- No document scanning or sketching inside notes
Apple Notes
Strengths
- Free and already on every iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Built into the system: Lock Screen, Control Center, Action Button and Siri
- Folders, tags, smart folders, shared notes and document scanning
Drawbacks
- Notes pile up and there is no prompt to revisit them, you have to remember to search
- No app for Android or Windows, only iCloud.com in a browser
- AI tools depend on your device supporting Apple Intelligence
Who should pick which
Pick BrainDump if...
You want to capture a thought the moment it happens, with no setup, no configuration, and no decisions to make before you start writing.
Pick Apple Notes if...
Apple Notes is the better choice if you want a free, built-in notes app that works with the rest of your Apple apps, with scanning, sketching and shared notes.
What makes Brain Dump different
Dump mode: write everything out first, then sort the pile when you are ready
Ask your notes, transform them and untangle a long ramble into separate notes
Works in any browser as well as on Apple devices, so Android and Windows users are covered
Opens to a blank note with no folders or accounts to choose first
Frequently asked questions
Apple Notes is great at storing notes. BrainDump is built for the moment before that, getting a half-formed thought out fast, and for sorting the pile later with AI help.
Yes, if you want a free, built-in app that works with the rest of your Apple apps and handles scanning, sketching and shared notes, that is what Apple Notes does well.
Make the switch today
Join thousands who've simplified their workflow with BrainDump. Import your Apple Notes workspace in minutes.
Download AppAvailable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro
