If you have been using Scrintal for a while, you have probably felt both its magic and its limits. The card-based thinking feels natural. The challenges appear once your workflow reaches certain boundaries.

For many researchers, students, and creators, those boundaries show up sooner than expected. You may have tried to open a large board only to watch it lag. You may have wished you could work offline during travel, but Scrintal keeps you tethered to the cloud. Or you may have found that the lack of mobile apps and limited export formats do not match the way you actually work.

You are not alone. Across review sites and PKM (personal knowledge management) forums, users share similar frustrations:

• Offline gap – no local data storage yet

• Performance dips – large canvases slow down noticeably

• Export frustration – limited markdown or alternative formats

• One-tier pricing – $6.99 per month (with annual billing) with no real free plan

• Platform limits – web and desktop only, no mobile apps

If these pain points sound familiar, the good news is that you have options. 2025 is a great time to explore Scrintal alternatives that offer similar infinite canvas and connected thinking capabilities, but with extra features, better pricing flexibility, and in some cases AI-powered workflows.

In this guide, we will break down the 7 best Scrintal alternatives worth your attention.

TL;DR – Top Picks

If you are short on time, here is the ranked shortlist. Each tool has strengths that might make it the right fit depending on how you work.

1. Kosmik: Best all-round visual PKM with built-in browser and a generous free tier

2. Heptabase: Deep research whiteboards with PDF annotation and strong cross-platform sync

3. Obsidian: Local-first markdown vault with a powerful plugin ecosystem

Why Users Switch From Scrintal?

When people decide to leave Scrintal, it is rarely because they dislike the concept. Most love the idea of a visual, connected workspace. The decision usually comes down to gaps in speed, flexibility, or control.

Across PKM communities and review platforms, three themes stand out:

• Performance at scale – Several long-term users reported that once a board reaches a few hundred cards, navigation and editing slow down noticeably.

• Data control and offline access – Many prefer tools that store notes locally or offer a hybrid sync model. Without that option, working in low-connectivity environments becomes a problem.

• Feature depth in competing tools – Alternatives offer advanced PDF annotation, nested whiteboards, or a larger export range, making them more attractive to power users.

The takeaway is clear. The market for infinite canvas and visual note-taking tools is growing, and users are willing to switch when a tool better fits their workflow.

What to Look For in a Scrintal Alternative?

Choosing the right visual note-taking tool is not just about features on paper. The best fit will match the way you think, work, and collaborate. As you compare options, keep these factors in mind.

1. Offline or Local-First Capability: Your ideas should be accessible whether or not you have an internet connection. Local storage means better data ownership, improved privacy, and fewer workflow interruptions (e.g. Kosmik stores canvases locally and syncs selectively, so you can keep working without being online).

2. Infinite Canvas Experience: A great visual workspace avoids the “nested folders” trap. Look for a canvas that feels natural to navigate, handles large projects smoothly, and makes adding content fast (e.g. Kosmik’s infinite canvas integrates a built-in browser, letting you drag in web content without switching apps).

3. Collaboration and AI Assistance: If you work with others or want help organizing ideas, real-time collaboration and AI-supported tagging or summarization can speed things up (e.g. Kosmik offers multiplayer collaboration and 50 AI credits on its free tier).

4. Flexible Pricing: A tool should be affordable to start with and offer upgrades that match your growth. Avoid platforms that force you into a single paid plan from day one (e.g. Kosmik’s free “Rover” plan removes adoption friction, with a Plus plan launching at $6.99 per month later in 2025).

With these criteria in mind, let’s look at the seven tools that stand out in 2025, starting with the one that checks all the boxes.

7 Best Scrintal Alternatives (Ranked)

1. Kosmik

Kosmik combines the flexibility of an infinite canvas with the practicality of local file storage. Unlike most PKM tools, it integrates a built-in browser so you can pull in articles, research, and images without leaving your workspace. The platform supports real-time collaboration, AI-powered tagging, and smooth PDF annotation, making it well suited for both solo work and team brainstorming.

Pros:

• Built-in browser reduces context switching during research

• AI features included on the free tier with 50 monthly credits

• Multiplayer collaboration for remote or hybrid teams

• Free beta access with unlimited canvases

Cons:

• No mobile app

• No offline mode

Pricing:

• Rover Plan (Free) – unlimited canvases during beta

• Plus Plan – $6.99 per month (billed annually)

Best For:

Visual researchers, educators, and design teams that want a powerful canvas with zero-cost entry and strong offline capabilities.

Kosmik stands out because it does not just match Scrintal’s core concept — it addresses the exact issues users mention most often, including offline work, performance at scale, and flexible pricing.

Next, let’s look at Heptabase, a strong contender for those who work heavily with PDFs and nested whiteboards.

2. Heptabase

Heptabase takes the concept of a visual workspace and leans into research-heavy workflows. Its whiteboard-in-whiteboard model allows you to nest related ideas, documents, and annotations in layers, making it easy to break down complex projects. Built-in PDF and YouTube annotation tools help you capture insights directly on source material, while AI features can generate summaries or surface connections between notes.

Pros:

• Flexible nested whiteboards for deep project mapping

• Robust PDF and media annotation tools

• Cross-platform sync for a consistent experience on different devices

• Built-in AI insights to support research organization

Cons:

• No true free tier — only limited collaboration invites

• Some users say the development focus feels scattered, slowing feature refinement

Pricing:

• 7-day free trial, $11.99 per month or $8.99 per month billed annually

Best For:

Academic researchers, graduate students, and professionals who need to annotate large volumes of documents and manage projects with a layered visual structure.

If your work revolves around in-depth reading and connecting ideas across multiple sources, Heptabase’s nested approach can feel more powerful than Scrintal’s flat canvas.

Next, we will explore Obsidian, a favorite among those who value local control, markdown flexibility, and a thriving plugin ecosystem.

3. Obsidian

Obsidian is a markdown-based knowledge management app built for people who want complete control over their data. It stores notes locally in plain-text markdown files, making them portable and easy to back up. While its core interface is a clean outliner, Obsidian also offers a graph view to visualize connections and a Canvas feature for spatial mapping. Its open plugin ecosystem allows you to extend functionality in almost any direction, from task management to publishing.

Pros:

• Local-first storage for complete data ownership

• Free for personal use, with no feature gating

• Extensive plugin library built by a large community

• Works fully offline without sync dependencies

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for new users

• Visual mapping relies on extensions rather than being the core experience

• Commercial license required for professional use ($50 per year)

Pricing:

• Free for personal use

• $50 per user per year for commercial use

• Catalyst supporter license starts at $25 one-time

Best For:

Developers, writers, and power users who want a customizable, privacy-first PKM system that can grow with their workflow.

For those who prioritize file portability and customization over an all-in-one visual interface, Obsidian delivers unmatched flexibility.

Next, we will look at Logseq, an open-source outliner that combines structured note-taking with visual graph navigation.

4. Logseq

Logseq is an open-source outliner that blends structured note-taking with a visual graph view. Notes are stored locally as markdown or org-mode files, giving users control over their data. Its daily notes approach encourages incremental knowledge capture, while the graph view helps you see how ideas connect over time. The platform is privacy-first, with no mandatory cloud service.

Pros:

• Free and open-source with strong community involvement

• Privacy-first approach with local storage

• Graph view for visualizing relationships between notes

• Growing plugin ecosystem for added functionality

Cons:

• Occasional performance issues with large datasets

• Built-in sync still has reliability concerns for some users

• Interface and features can require manual tweaking to optimize

Pricing:

• Free for all core features

• “Logseq Pro” with real-time collaboration (pricing TBD)

Best For:

Open-source enthusiasts and privacy-conscious users who enjoy customizing their tools and do not mind some hands-on setup.

Logseq offers a snappier, more structured alternative for users who like Scrintal’s connections but want more control over file storage and privacy.

Next, we will explore Tana, a tool that blends an outliner with built-in AI features for faster, more flexible knowledge management.

5. Tana

Tana is an AI-native outliner that aims to make connected thinking more dynamic. It introduces “Supertags,” which allow you to assign structure and metadata to any note without setting up a rigid folder system. The platform supports voice memos, an AI-powered meeting agent, and schema-free databases that adapt as your projects grow.

Pros:

• AI commands for summarizing, organizing, and transforming notes

• Supertags for flexible, non-hierarchical data organization

• Voice memo support for quick capture on the go

• Powerful search and filtering to surface related content

Cons:

• Web-only, with no offline mode

• Learning curve for new users unfamiliar with its tagging approach

• Still an invite-driven community, which may slow adoption for teams

Pricing:

• Free core plan

• Plus plan at $10 per month, Pro plan at $18 per month (annual billing)

Best For:

Early adopters and AI enthusiasts who want automation built directly into their note-taking process.

If you like the idea of a tool that actively assists with organization, Tana offers capabilities that go beyond what Scrintal and most visual canvases provide.

Next, we will review Kinopio, a minimalist spatial canvas tool designed for fast and playful brainstorming.

6. Kinopio

Kinopio is a lightweight spatial thinking tool built for quick idea capture and freeform brainstorming. You create and connect “cards” on an infinite canvas, arranging them in any layout you choose. The design is intentionally minimal, encouraging fast iteration without complex menus or structures. It works without sign-up for up to 100 cards, making it easy to try.

Pros:

• Fast, playful interface that encourages creativity

• Works offline and without an account for small projects

• Simple card-linking for easy visual mapping

• Lifetime purchase option in addition to subscriptions

Cons:

• No built-in hierarchy or outlining features

• Limited formatting options for text and media

• Mobile interface is basic compared to desktop

Pricing:

• Free for up to 100 cards

• $6 per month or $60 per year for unlimited cards

• Lifetime license available for $200

Best For:

Designers, creatives, and teams who value visual freedom over structured note-taking, and want a simple tool for mapping ideas quickly.

Kinopio’s unstructured nature makes it less suited for complex, multi-layered projects, but for freeform brainstorming it is hard to beat.

Next, we will look at Milanote, a visually polished tool aimed at creative teams and agencies.

7. Milanote

Milanote is a visual workspace designed for creatives, agencies, and storytellers. It combines mood boards, note cards, and kanban-style task lists on a flexible canvas. The emphasis is on presentation-ready layouts, making it a favorite for design briefs, brand boards, and content planning. A large template library helps teams start projects quickly.

Pros:

• Beautiful, polished boards ideal for client presentations

• Wide range of templates for creative workflows

• Commenting and collaboration features for team feedback

• Simple drag-and-drop interface for visual assets

Cons:

• Free plan limited to 100 notes

• No offline mode

• Higher pricing for team use compared to some competitors

Pricing:

• Free plan with 100 notes

• Pro plan at $9.99 per month (annual billing) or $12.50 per month

• Team plan starting at $49 per month

Best For:

Marketing teams, design studios, and creative agencies that prioritize visual polish and client-ready outputs.

Milanote may not replace Scrintal for deep knowledge management, but it excels at making visual ideas presentable and shareable.

Next, we will pull these seven tools into a Quick Comparison Table so you can see their features, pricing, and unique strengths side by side.

Quick Comparison Table

This table gives you a quick way to match your must-have features with each tool’s core offering. For example, if offline access is non-negotiable, Tana and Milanote will not make the cut.

Next, we will look at how to choose the right tool for your needs, including practical steps for testing and evaluating before you commit.

How to Choose the Right Tool for You

Picking the right Scrintal alternative is not about chasing the tool with the most features. It is about finding the one that fits your workflow, your team’s habits, and your long-term goals.

Here is a structured way to approach the decision:

1. Define your must-haves and deal-breakers

List the features you cannot work without, such as offline access, PDF annotation, or AI assistance. Remove any tools that do not meet these basics.

2. Match the tool to your work style

If you prefer freeform visual thinking, a canvas-first tool like Kosmik or Kinopio will feel natural. If you need heavy document annotation, Heptabase may be the better fit.

3. Test with a real project

Do not just create sample boards. Import an actual ongoing project and see how the tool handles your day-to-day workload. This will reveal issues with speed, navigation, or export formats quickly.

4. Involve your team early

If you work in a team environment, test collaboration features from the start. Check how permissions, simultaneous editing, and comments work in practice.

5. Evaluate long-term fit

Consider pricing over time, data ownership, and the pace of development. An active roadmap and responsive support team are signs the tool will keep evolving with your needs.

Tip: Commit to at least one week of daily use before making a final call. A few hours of testing will not reveal how a tool handles larger, more complex projects.

Now that you know how to evaluate your options, let’s address some of the most common questions you may have when comparing Scrintal with its competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Scrintal alternative overall?

Kosmik ranks as the top Scrintal alternative because it combines an infinite canvas with offline storage, a built-in browser for research, and AI features , all available on a free plan.

What is the cheapest Scrintal alternative?

Logseq is free for all core features, but it is text-first. Kosmik provides a visual canvas and AI tools at no cost to start, with an affordable $6.99 per month Plus plan.

Which Scrintal alternative has the best AI features?

Kosmik’s free tier includes 50 AI credits per month for tagging, summarizing, and organizing notes directly on your canvas. Tana also offers AI tools but is web-only and starts at $10 per month.

What Scrintal alternative is best for visual research?

Kosmik is the best choice for visual research thanks to its infinite canvas, PDF annotation, and drag-in browser content capture. Heptabase is another option for heavy PDF work, though it comes at a higher cost.

Final Thoughts

If you value an infinite canvas but flexible pricing, and features like AI assistance, there are several strong choices in 2025.

Across all the alternatives, Kosmik stands out as the most well‑rounded Scrintal alternative. It matches Scrintal’s visual strengths while solving its most common pain points. The built‑in browser saves time during research. AI tools help you organize ideas without breaking focus. And with a free plan offering, there is no barrier to trying it out.

Try Kosmik free today and see how an offline‑first, AI‑assisted canvas can transform the way you think and create.