DEVONthink
DEVONthink is a Mac document-database desk: Inbox, groups, and a Markdown file in one window.
OUR TAKE
Pick DEVONthink for researchers who will pay Standard $99 — or Pro $199 for AI/automation — not Obsidian Sync first. Learning curve.
Good fit
Researchers who will pay Standard $99 — or Pro $199 for AI/automation — not Obsidian Sync first.
Poor fit
Standard $99 · Pro $199 · Server $499
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-26 · devontechnologies.com/apps/devonthink
OUR TAKE
Pick DEVONthink for researchers who will pay Standard $99 — or Pro $199 for AI/automation — not Obsidian Sync first. Learning curve. vs Obsidian / Bear.
Good fit
Researchers who will pay Standard $99 — or Pro $199 for AI/automation — not Obsidian Sync first.
Poor fit
Standard $99 · Pro $199 · Server $499
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-26 · devontechnologies.com/apps/devonthink
What it costs
USD, before tax · Checked 2026-10-26 · devontechnologies.com/apps/devonthink
Standard
US (1 year of updates)
$99
Pro
US
$199
Server
US (2 seats)
$499
Extra seats
/ / (Std / Pro / Server)
Lowest paid
$49
The product is not OSS.
Not published by the vendor
Not published by the vendor
Checked 2026-10-26·devontechnologies.com/apps/devonthink
Before you pay
Good fit
Researchers who will pay Standard $99 — or Pro $199 for AI/automation — not Obsidian Sync first.
Watch out
Learning curve. vs Obsidian / Bear.
Instead, try
Obsidian if local vault; Sync/Publish extras; Craft if Apple-first docs with public $
Compare DEVONthink with
Limits, in full
- 01
Learning curve. vs Obsidian / Bear.
- 02
Updates after year 1. need a new window — do not invent the renewal $.
- 03
Server is a different SKU
If DEVONthink isn't it
Why: local vault; Sync/Publish extras.
Free· paid from$4/user/mo yearly
The $0 tile is the local appChecked 2026-10-23·obsidian.md/pricing
vs DEVONthink
Why: Apple-first docs with public $.
Free· paid from$8.0/mo
Starter is capped at 1,500 blocks / 1 GB / 25 MB / 7-day historyChecked 2026-10-23·craft.do/pricing
vs DEVONthink
Why: lighter Markdown notes.
Free· paid from$2.99/mo
Apple platforms onlyChecked 2026-10-23·bear.app/faq/features-and-price-of-bear-pro
vs DEVONthinkLimits & alternatives3 limits · Obsidian, Craft, Bear instead
Limits, in full
- 01
Learning curve. vs Obsidian / Bear.
- 02
Updates after year 1. need a new window — do not invent the renewal $.
- 03
Server is a different SKU
If DEVONthink isn't it
Why: local vault; Sync/Publish extras.
Free· paid from$4/user/mo yearly
The $0 tile is the local appChecked 2026-10-23·obsidian.md/pricing
vs DEVONthinkWhy: Apple-first docs with public $.
Free· paid from$8.0/mo
Starter is capped at 1,500 blocks / 1 GB / 25 MB / 7-day historyChecked 2026-10-23·craft.do/pricing
vs DEVONthinkWhy: lighter Markdown notes.
Free· paid from$2.99/mo
Apple platforms onlyChecked 2026-10-23·bear.app/faq/features-and-price-of-bear-pro
vs DEVONthink