Craft vs Surf
Surf is the stronger choice for individuals doing source-heavy research who want local, open-format data and a choice of cloud or local AI models. Craft remains the better fit for polished, shareable documents and integrated planning: Surf’s supplied materials do not document equivalent calendars, reminders, whiteboards, templates, mobile apps, or project-delivery controls. Surf is also still in beta, so teams that需要
Decision guide
The practical reasons to choose either option, based on documented capabilities.
Choose Surf if
- Researchers combining notes with webpages, PDFs, videos, and local files
- Individuals requiring locally stored data in open formats
- Users wanting bring-your-own-key, cloud, or local language models AI models as documented by Surf makers and maintainers directly in its source code repository on GitHub at deta/surf under Apache-2.0 license and can be n
Stay with Craft if
- Your workflow depends on calendar planning, reminders, whiteboards, or reusable templates; equivalent Surf coverage is not documented.
- You need native iPhone, iPad, Android, or Vision Pro apps; Surf documents only macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- You primarily create polished, shareable documents rather than research notes assembled from source material sources like webpages PDFs and video transcripts in notebooks organized into libraries stored locally on device
Deployment and operations
Surf is an open-source desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Repository facts identify TypeScript as its primary language and state that it is self-hostable, but no Docker or Kubernetes deployment is provided. The README links to separate installation and source-build instructions. Most code defaults to Apache-2.0, with listed file-level exceptions and trademark exclusions. Surf is currently in beta and described as still evolving, which may increase maintenance and upgrade risk.
Migration considerations
Surf states that users can import, export, and manage locally stored data, but the supplied materials provide no Craft-specific importer, compatibility statement, or supported format mapping. A direct or lossless Craft migration therefore cannot be established.
Feature fit
What Surf covers
- Notebook-based note organization
- Rich notes with to-do lists
- Cross-platform desktop access
- Local file and web-content capture
What’s different or missing
- No documented calendar planning
- No documented reminders system
- No documented whiteboards
- No documented template library
- No documented mobile apps
- No documented API or MCP connections
- No documented polished-document sharing workflow
- No documented Craft-specific importer
Project snapshot
- GitHub stars
- 3,524
- Contributors
- 8
- Language
- TypeScript
- Last commit
- May 28, 2026
- Latest release
- Apr 29, 2026
Categories: Content Management Systems, AI Assistants, Business Intelligence, Data Integration, Project Management
Sources and editorial review11 linked sources
Public documentation supports this comparison. Automation assists collection and classification; editorial standards and corrections remain the responsibility of Kris.
Personal AI Notebooks. Organize files & webpages and generate notes from them. Open source, local & open data, open model choice (incl. local).
repository description · github.comDeta Surf is an AI notebook that brings all your files and the web directly into your stream of thought.
readme · github.comStore almost any media in a private library on your computer, in an open and transparent format.
readme · github.comUse rich formating, code blocks, to-do lists and more in your notes.
readme · github.comruns on MacOS, Windows & Linux, stores data locally in open formats, and is open source.
readme · github.comDeta Surf is an AI notebook that brings all your files and the web directly into your stream of thought.
verdict · github.comUse rich formating, code blocks, to-do lists and more in your notes.
shared feature · github.comSurf is primarily built in Svelte, TypeScript and Rust, runs on MacOS, Windows & Linux, stores data locally in open formats, and is open source.
deployment · github.comUnless otherwise specified in the file or directory, all code defaults to the Apache 2.0 license.
deployment · github.comSurf is currently in Beta , which means we have the core foundation in place but it’s still evolving.
consider original · deta.surfYour data is stored on your device. Import, export, and manage it as you see fit.
migration · deta.surf
