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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Curio alternatives

Curio compared with 6 alternatives: Heptabase, Scrintal, Tinderbox, Milanote, Obsidian and 1 more.

Curio has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license. 3 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.

6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
CurioThis toolFree plan · from $5/moYesmacOS
HeptabaseFree trial · from $8.99/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ScrintalFree trial · from $9/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows
TinderboxFree trial · from $289 one-timeTrial onlymacOS
MilanoteFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
CoppiceFree plan · from $1.99/moYesmacOS

How each one differs from Curio

  1. Heptabase

    Visual notes app that arranges linked cards on whiteboards

    • Heptabase starts at $8.99 per month, billed yearly ($107.88). Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Curio has a free plan. Heptabase does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Heptabase lists a web app.
    • Only Heptabase lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Heptabase lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Students and researchers learning complex topics from PDFs and videos

    Heptabase vs CurioHeptabase pricing and details

  2. Scrintal

    Visual note-taking on an infinite canvas of linked docs

    • Scrintal starts at $9 per month, billed annually ($108 per year). Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Curio has a free plan. Scrintal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Scrintal lists a web app.
    • Only Scrintal lists a Windows app.
    • Curio can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Students and researchers mapping reading notes visually

    Scrintal vs CurioScrintal pricing and details

  3. Tinderbox

    Mac tool for mapping, analyzing and sharing notes

    • Tinderbox starts at $289 one-time license, with a year of free updates. Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Curio has a free plan. Tinderbox does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Tinderbox also covers linked notes.
    • Curio also covers Markdown, kanban boards and mind mapping.

    Suits: Writers, researchers and analysts working through large sets of notes

    Tinderbox vs CurioTinderbox pricing and details

  4. Milanote

    Visual boards for organizing creative projects

    • Milanote starts at $9.99 per person / month, billed annually. Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Only Milanote lists a web app.
    • Only Milanote lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Milanote lists a browser extension.
    • Curio can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Designers, filmmakers and writers collecting references and ideas

    Milanote vs CurioMilanote pricing and details

  5. Obsidian

    Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device

    • Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Curio can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control

    Obsidian vs CurioObsidian pricing and details

  6. Coppice

    Mac app for linking notes together on a spatial canvas

    • Coppice starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year. Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license.
    • Curio can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Coppice also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
    • Curio also covers Markdown, kanban boards and mind mapping.

    Suits: Mapping out linked ideas for a project on a Mac

    Coppice vs CurioCoppice pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Curio

  • Mac only: Curio 34 runs on macOS 15 Sequoia or later, and the site lists no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version.
  • Free mode restricts a project to 5 idea spaces; larger projects open read-only.
  • License keys work only with the website download and subscriptions only with the Mac App Store download.
  • A license key includes one year of major updates; later updates need a paid renewal, and academic and volume discounts do not apply to subscriptions.
Curio pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Curio?

The alternatives to Curio in this directory are Heptabase, Scrintal, Tinderbox, Milanote, Obsidian and Coppice. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Curio.

Is there a free alternative to Curio?

Yes. Milanote, Obsidian and Coppice have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Curio alternatives work on Windows?

The Curio listing does not include a Windows app. Heptabase, Scrintal, Milanote and Obsidian list one.

Which Curio alternatives work on Linux?

The Curio listing does not include a Linux app. Heptabase and Obsidian list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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