Before choosing Capacities:
plans, storage and export
Capacities can organize people, books and projects with consistent properties. Start with a small free-plan trial, then check offline access and export before choosing where to keep your knowledge.
Separate the knowledge store from the capture step
Capacities stores knowledge with object properties and relationships, while daily notes also let you start with plain input. Simple Memo captures short text into a configured inbox or destination; it is not a replacement that imports your existing Capacities data.
For structured properties versus Markdown files you manage yourself, see our Japanese Obsidian–Capacities comparison. It distinguishes earlier Mac onboarding observations from documented specifications.
Compare roles and conditions
| Check | Capacities | Simple Memo |
|---|---|---|
| Core role | Store knowledge using types, properties and relationships | Capture text into a configured inbox or integration |
| Starting a note | Write in a daily note or create an object | Enter text, then send or save through the selected route |
| Free plan | Basic; check media limits | Three sends per day; check Premium feature conditions |
| Offline | Downloaded notes; search and AI restrictions apply | Keep pending sends and verify arrival after reconnecting |
| Import from a registered sender into a daily note | Send to the configured address and check the destination | |
| Taking data out | Export content, properties, links and media | Does not bulk-migrate Capacities data |
The services have separate plans. See the Simple Memo pricing FAQ.
Check Basic, Pro and Believer plans
Basic is free with custom types, sync, import and export. Pro adds AI, queries and task management; Believer adds benefits such as early feature access. AI has a monthly budget, with Plus offered for more usage.
On September 9, 2026, the official page viewed from Japan displayed Pro at JPY 1,699/month on monthly billing and JPY 1,399/month equivalent on annual billing. Displayed prices vary with currency and billing interval; check the annual total, tax and add-ons before subscribing.
Prepare offline notes and media
In Offline & Sync, confirm that notes have finished downloading. Prepare required media with Everything selected. Full-text search and AI need a connection; use title search offline.
If versions conflict after reconnecting, preview both and copy any text you need before choosing which to keep. The rejected version is deleted. Local Capacities data uses its own database, not an Obsidian-style Markdown folder.
Check the sender when importing email
The email integration accepts mail from the address registered with Capacities, sent to the destination shown in its official guide. Check additional senders and the default space in Integrations → Email. Send one short message, then inspect its block and attachments in the daily note.
If forwarding a message received from Simple Memo, use a registered address to forward it. Changing a destination alone does not prove that every relay sender is accepted. Forwarded formatting may need cleanup, and unreadable messages may not produce an error notification.
Export content and attachments together
Use Full Export → Manual Full Export in settings. Properties become front matter, collections become CSV, media uses separate folders, and internal links become local links. Media must be downloaded on this device to be included.
For automated exports, set a destination and schedule and check the active flag. Capacities must be open at the scheduled time. Export does not guarantee an exact restore: keep originals while testing a small sample in the destination app.
Five checks before migrating or subscribing
- Write one short daily note and try only the object types you need.
- Find that note again and follow a link to a related object.
- Check Offline & Sync on the intended device and prepare the media you need.
- Export a small sample and inspect text, properties, attachments and links in the destination.
- List the features missing from this trial, then decide whether to stay free or use a paid plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in the free Capacities plan?
Basic includes objects, blocks, custom types, device sync, import and export. Media uploads cover 5 GB in total, then 100 MB per month. Check paid-plan conditions for AI, advanced search and task features.
Does full-text search work offline?
Full-text search, advanced search, queries and AI need a connection. Work with downloaded notes and use title search in the command palette. Download required media before disconnecting.
Can I send email into Capacities?
Yes, through its email integration. Check the registered sender and integration settings, send one short message to the address in the official guide, and inspect the daily note. Forwarded formatting may need cleanup, and some messages cannot be read.
Does export restore everything exactly?
Export moves content, properties, links and media into other formats. It does not guarantee that the original behavior or features can be restored. Test text, properties, attachments and internal links on a small sample before migrating.
How does storage differ from Obsidian?
Capacities uses its own database with cloud sync. Obsidian lets you work with Markdown files in a vault. Compare structured object properties with managing files and plugins yourself.
Can Simple Memo migrate all my Capacities data automatically?
No. Simple Memo captures text into a configured destination; it does not migrate Capacities objects, properties or attachments. If you copy notes from your email inbox, verify them in the destination too.
What was checked
Checked official documentation and the Japan pricing display on September 9, 2026. This update did not physically test a full migration or sync across every device. The author develops Simple Memo.
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