DEVONthink vs VoodooPad (2026): which should you pick?

Pick DEVONthink if

• Fits if you're a researcher, lawyer or writer sitting on thousands of documents
• Works for people who want their files stored on their own Mac, not a vendor's servers

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use Windows or Android, as the vendor only develops for macOS and iOS, and the Mac app needs Ventura or later
• Pricey if you want OCR, generative AI or email archiving, which start at the $199 Pro edition, or the web interface, which is $499 Server
• Watch out: a license includes 1 year of updates, and more cost $49 to $149 a year depending on the edition
• Watch out: Standard leaves out the iPhone and iPad app, which then needs its own $2.99 a month or $19 a year subscription
• Not for you if you just want quick notes, because this is a filing system first, with a lot to set up

Pick VoodooPad if

• Fits if you want a personal wiki on a Mac and would rather pay once
• Works for people who link notes, PDFs and files into one document

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use Windows or Android, as it is Mac only
• Not for you if you want to try it first: no free version or trial is shown
• Tight if you share notes: only through a synced folder like Dropbox, not live co-editing
• Watch out: the iOS app has no version on the Primate Labs site, so check before relying on it

DEVONthink

• The desktop app is Mac only and requires macOS Ventura or later; the vendor develops solely for macOS and iOS.
• A license includes 1 year of updates. The app keeps working afterwards, but more updates cost $49 to $149 a year depending on the edition.
• The web interface is part of the $499 Server edition only, and generative AI, OCR and email archiving start at Pro.
• Standard does not include DEVONthink To Go, which needs a $2.99 monthly or $19 yearly subscription for full use.

VoodooPad

• The vendor lists macOS 10.12 or later; there is no Windows, Android or web version.
• The Primate Labs site shows no version for the iOS app, so check its availability before relying on it.
• Collaboration works by sharing a synced folder such as Dropbox, not through live co-editing.

DEVONthink

Document databases

Stores texts, PDFs, web pages, images, emails and spreadsheets in databases on your Mac, organized with groups, tags and smart groups.

Notes, annotations and links

Write notes as Markdown, plain text or rich text and attach annotations to documents. Cross-references and item links connect items into a personal wiki.

Built-in and generative AI

Built-in AI suggests related documents and filing locations. Pro and Server connect online or local chat models for summaries, tagging and chat.

Automation

Smart rules run actions on documents when their conditions are met, and AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation scripts can extend them.

Encrypted sync

Databases sync between Macs, iPhones and iPads over the local network or a cloud service of your choice, with the synced data encrypted.

Scanning, OCR and email archiving

Pro and Server make scanned documents searchable, archive email independently of the mail app and imprint PDFs with stamps or Bates numbers.

VoodooPad

Wiki links

Words in a page link to other pages, and dropped-in files, folders, PDFs, applications or URLs link up like web addresses.

Collections, tags and aliases

Pages can be grouped into collections, tagged and given aliases, with search across the whole document.

Encryption

A single page or the whole document can be encrypted, which the vendor suggests for passwords and account details.

Export

A document can be exported as PDF, ePub or HTML, and the app has a built-in web server for sharing over a local network.

Shared folders and iOS

A document can sit in a shared Dropbox folder for several editors. A separate VoodooPad for iOS app opens documents on iPhone and iPad.

DEVONthink

• Standard$99

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Importing, indexing, sync, encrypted databases, versioning, tagging, annotations, smart groups and rules, and scripting. Extra seats cost $49.

• Pro$199

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Adds generative AI integration, OCR, email archiving, custom metadata and DEVONthink To Go with 5 mobile seats. Extra seats cost $99.

• Server$499

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Adds a web interface and granular access management for teams, plus 25 mobile seats for DEVONthink To Go. Extra seats cost $99.

• DEVONthink To Go$2.99

  per month, or $19 per year, as an App Store subscription

  The iPhone and iPad app. It works with restrictions without a license and is included with Pro and Server licenses that still receive updates.

VoodooPad

• VoodooPad 5$24.99

  one-time

  Single purchase of the Mac app, sold through the vendor's Paddle checkout. The price comes from the checkout's US price data, since the page shows only a Buy Now button.

DEVONthink

• Education

  20% off for students and educators

  Full-time students and teachers get 20% off new licenses, extra seats and update extensions once their status is approved in their customer account.

• Nonprofit

  20% off for volunteer-run charities

  Charities working in children's aid, human aid, ecology, wildlife protection or renewable energy get 20% off. Educational institutes and religious organizations are excluded.

• Other savings

  Lower price for extending updates early

  Extending before the update year ends costs $44, $89 or $134 for one more year instead of $49, $99 or $149, with two- and three-year options.

VoodooPad

No public discounts listed.