Capacities
Build your second brain with objects, not files.
8.5
⭐ Editor: 8.5
Last updated: June 2026Freemium
What is Capacities?
Capacities is a knowledge management platform that dares to ditch the folder. Instead of nesting files inside folders, it treats everything—people, books, projects, ideas—as objects you can link together. The result? A living network of your knowledge that surfaces connections automatically, helping you discover insights you didn't know you had....
How to Use Capacities
Capacities helps you capture and connect your knowledge using objects instead of files. Follow these simple steps to start building your second brain.
1
Create Your First Object
Start by creating a new object. Click the 'New Object' button and choose a type like 'Person', 'Book', or 'Project'. Fill in the properties—name, description, status, or any custom fields you need. This becomes a structured entity in your knowledge graph.
2
Link Objects Together
To connect objects, type '@' followed by the name of another object in any text field. Capacities will create a bidirectional link. You can also use the 'Related' section to manually link objects. The backlinks panel will show you all incoming connections automatically.
3
Use the Daily Note Inbox
Your daily note is the central hub for capturing new thoughts. Jot down ideas, meeting notes, or random musings. Later, you can convert parts of your daily note into new objects by selecting text and choosing 'Create Object'. This keeps your capture flow frictionless while building your knowledge base over time.
Capacities Core Features
Object-centric data model treats every item as a structured entity with custom properties.
Bidirectional linking and automatic backlinks create a connected knowledge network.
AI-powered related content detection surfaces unlinked references across your notes.
Daily note inbox provides a frictionless capture space for quick thoughts and ideas.
Unlimited custom object types let you design schemas for any domain or project.
Full-text search across all objects, notes, and media for instant retrieval.
Offline mode enables working without internet and syncs seamlessly when reconnected.
Media uploads with 5GB free storage and unlimited fair-use on paid plans.
Task management system with smart queries and calendar integrations (Pro).
API access and extensions for custom workflows and integrations (Pro).
Capacities Use Cases
- 1Writers & Authors: Build detailed character databases, world-building lore, and plot timelines as linked objects. Automatically surface connections between story elements to maintain consistency across complex narratives.
- 2Researchers & Academics: Capture article highlights, literature reviews, and citation networks as structured objects. Use automatic related content detection to discover relevant papers and ideas you might have missed.
- 3Developers & Engineers: Organize code snippets, project specs, and bug tracking into custom object types. Link related issues and documentation to create a living knowledge base for your projects.
- 4Students: Take lecture notes, create study cards, and manage thesis research as interconnected objects. The daily note inbox helps capture ideas quickly, and bidirectional linking aids revision by showing relationships between topics.
- 5Managers & Founders: Track meeting notes, OKRs, stakeholder maps, and product roadmaps as structured objects. Smart queries and calendar integrations (Pro) help you tie daily tasks to long-term strategy.
Pros and Cons of Capacities
Pros
- Intuitive object-based workflow mirrors how your brain naturally connects ideas, eliminating the friction of traditional folder hierarchies.
- Automatic linking and related-content discovery save hours of manual tagging and make your knowledge graph grow organically.
- No-code, no-plugin setup lets you start capturing and linking immediately without any technical configuration.
- Strong privacy stance with EU-hosted, GDPR-compliant encrypted servers and a free core tier that doesn't require a credit card.
✕ Cons
- Primarily designed for individual use; collaboration features are limited to view-only sharing, making it less suitable for team knowledge bases.
- Advanced features like AI assistant, task management, and API access are locked behind the $9.99/month Pro plan.
- No enterprise-grade admin controls or SSO, which may deter organizations looking for a company-wide solution.
Capacities vs Top Alternatives
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian | Roam Research | Logseq |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data model | Database/block-based model with pages and databases | File-based model using Markdown files | Block-based model with outliner interface | File-based model using Markdown/Org-mode |
| Bidirectional linking | Yes, via backlinks and relations | Yes, with core backlinks plugin | Yes, native bidirectional linking | Yes, native bidirectional linking |
| AI-powered features | No built-in AI (AI add-on available separately) | No built-in AI (community plugins available) | No built-in AI features | No built-in AI (community plugins) |
| Free tier availability | Yes, free tier with block limits | Yes, fully free for personal use | No free tier; paid only ($15/mo) | Yes, fully free and open-source |
Capacities Pricing
Free tier available — no credit card required
Basic (Free)
$0/month
- Unlimited spaces, objects, and blocks
- Sync across devices
- Custom object types
- Import and export
- View-only sharing
- Full-text search
- Offline mode
- 5 GB media storage (100 MB/month thereafter)
Pro
$9.99/mo/month
- All Free features
- Task management
- AI assistant
- Calendar integrations
- Smart queries & advanced search
- Unlimited media (fair-use)
- Table formulas
- Curated icons
- Extensions & API access
Believer
$12.49/mo/month
- All Pro features
- Beta access to major new features
- Support the independent team
Capacities FAQ
What is Capacities?+
Capacities is an object-based knowledge management platform that helps you capture, connect, and organize your ideas, projects, and research. Instead of using folders and files, it uses structured objects that can be linked together, creating a living network of your knowledge.
How is Capacities different from Notion?+
While Notion uses a block-based editor and databases, Capacities is built around an object-first model where every item (person, book, project) is a first-class entity with its own properties. Capacities also offers automatic related content detection and a stronger focus on personal knowledge management rather than team collaboration.
Is Capacities free to use?+
Yes, Capacities has a generous free tier called Basic that includes unlimited objects, spaces, blocks, custom object types, full-text search, offline mode, and 5GB of media storage. There's no credit card required to start.
Can I use Capacities offline?+
Yes, Capacities supports offline mode. You can work without an internet connection, and your changes will sync automatically when you reconnect.
How does the AI assistant work in Capacities?+
The AI assistant (available in Pro plan) can summarize notes, suggest related objects, answer questions based on your knowledge base, and help you capture information more efficiently. It uses the context of your linked objects to provide relevant suggestions.
Is my data secure in Capacities?+
Yes, Capacities stores data on EU-hosted servers that are GDPR-compliant and encrypted. The company emphasizes privacy and does not rely on investor funding, reducing pressure to monetize user data.
Can I collaborate with others using Capacities?+
Capacities offers view-only sharing, meaning you can grant read-only access to collaborators. However, it is primarily designed for individual knowledge management and lacks real-time multi-user editing or team workspaces.
Capacities Review — Editor's Score
Who Should Use Capacities?
Ideal for writers, researchers, students, and knowledge workers who want a flexible, object-oriented PKM system that grows with them. Best suited for individuals rather than teams.
8.5
Overall Score
Functionality
9
Ease of Use
8.5
Value for Money
9
Support
7.5
Capacities offers a refreshingly intuitive object-based approach to knowledge management. Its automatic linking and AI features reduce the friction of building a personal knowledge graph, while the generous free tier makes it accessible to everyone. It's an excellent choice for individual thinkers and creators who want a 'second brain' without the overhead of complex databases.
- Object-centric data model
- AI-powered related content detection
- Generous free tier with offline support
- EU-hosted encrypted servers
Review by BuzzWithAI Editorial Team • 2026-06-06T08:07:05.073Z
📺 Capacities Tutorials & Introduction
Capacities: Full Tutorial - YouTube
Capacities App Review: Best Note-Taking App? - YouTube
Release 59 - A Smarter AI Assistant - YouTube
Keywords:
#knowledge management#personal knowledge management#note taking app#object-based notes#bidirectional linking#AI note assistant#productivity tool#second brain#PKM software#free note taking app#Capacities alternative#knowledge base