What’s the point?
Seriously, what’s the point? Concepts allows for unlimited paper screen, Procreate and sketchbook pro are standards. The notes app is similar to this, in that you use it to take notes, but with out "unlimited" paper. However, the tools within it are thoroughly useless for artists of any kind, as sketchbook pro is at least free, but offers FAR more than this app. The notes app is free and is far more responsive with the Apple Pencil than this lag fest is.
It really holds no market, and is stuck in no mans land. The only people I can see who would love this app are die hard moleskine fans. No real artist will use this app for any reason, no writer will use this app...
I’d just skip over this app, it serves no real purpose. Sorry molskine, stick to making decent paper, the developer let you down on this one.
It really holds no market, and is stuck in no mans land. The only people I can see who would love this app are die hard moleskine fans. No real artist will use this app for any reason, no writer will use this app...
I’d just skip over this app, it serves no real purpose. Sorry molskine, stick to making decent paper, the developer let you down on this one.
Show less
Subscription model
Renting software isn’t my bag; if you’re into it, this app - and many others - may be for you!
subscription service? I'm surprised they're even charging
given the quality of one time purchase apps like procreate and autodesk’s sketchbook and even the remarkable quality of some free apps, like adobe draw, it’s hard to believe the developers working for a quality brand like moleskin would presume to charge me *monthly* for this mediocre and uninspiring drawing app.
look at the lifelike brushes in those other apps. in this one only the pencil. look at what notability is willing to give me for a one time purchase of $10. I think it shows a lot of chutzpah and the developers should be ashamed of themselves. deleted.
*EDIT*
I'm floored by the developers politeness, to the point where I'll give the app another try. the app you're describing sounds like notability, which is a one time purchase but ok. I'll try it again.
look at the lifelike brushes in those other apps. in this one only the pencil. look at what notability is willing to give me for a one time purchase of $10. I think it shows a lot of chutzpah and the developers should be ashamed of themselves. deleted.
*EDIT*
I'm floored by the developers politeness, to the point where I'll give the app another try. the app you're describing sounds like notability, which is a one time purchase but ok. I'll try it again.
Show less
Response from developer
Hi smarty mcbrainbrain and the thinks-too-much, Sorry to hear you’re not inspired by Flow. There are many remarkable, powerful apps on the App Store - we were inspired to create Flow because the apps we used that feature sophisticated rendering and complex options actually kept getting in the way of our creativity when we just wanted to grab a pen and draw non-stop!
No difference from the Notes app on iOS or google keep
It’s No difference from the Notes app on iOS or google keep
Response from developer
🤔
Ok
As a constant jotter I thought I’d love this, but I didn’t. I don’t have an issue with the subscription payment model and firmly believe that developers should be paid for their work in a sustainable way (just as we expect apps to work in a sustainable way).
What I didn’t love was the horizontal scrolling. It didn’t necessarily give it a more notebook feel for me. Having the option to scroll vertically would have been great. (I love Bear and thought this might be my handwritten equivalent).
I also didn’t expect the learning curve with the tools and didn’t like the design of them. Can a pencil not simply look like a pencil? They just seemed overly complicated for such a simple concept. Maybe I’ll come back to it in the future after it develops further.
What I didn’t love was the horizontal scrolling. It didn’t necessarily give it a more notebook feel for me. Having the option to scroll vertically would have been great. (I love Bear and thought this might be my handwritten equivalent).
I also didn’t expect the learning curve with the tools and didn’t like the design of them. Can a pencil not simply look like a pencil? They just seemed overly complicated for such a simple concept. Maybe I’ll come back to it in the future after it develops further.
Show less
Not exemplary in a saturated market, and a poor payment model to boot
Compared to the slew of other note taking and drawing apps, Flow is at best aesthetically pleasing compared to others, and that's about it. Lacking features that many completely free apps have. But, what I consider worst is the reprehensible subscription model. What features could possibly be brought on a monthly basis to justify that model? Especially when every other app that does what Flow wants to be but better is a one time price or free. For some reason the brand name alone got me to try it, and instead I was actively irritated by predatory pricing and, quite frankly, awful developer responses to reviews. The dev response shouldn't argue with poor reviews just voicing their oppinions. They ignore the pricing complaint and claim no features is actually good because reasons.
This has put such a bad taste in my mouth I am certainly never coming back to this app.
This has put such a bad taste in my mouth I am certainly never coming back to this app.
Show less
Beautiful but...
Can we also get a text support option as well? To be able to combine text boxes or typing on the page as well as annotations is what would really make this app indepensible for me. I'm sure lots of other people type in the virtual notebooks too - a suggestion for the future!
Response from developer
Hi lotr_con, thanks for the nice review! You can add that feature to the feature request board via the help screen on the main menu in the app, that's where everyone can vote and discuss ideas for upcoming updates to Flow!
Sometimes Paying for an App is Worth It
I find myself continually amazed by the fact that people want everything to be free these days. So how do you expect the engineers that build this app to get paid? How do you expect Moleskine to continue to add new features? The irony is that many of the same people would be complaining about "too many ads" if Moleskine used an advertising model instead.
Putting that aside, this app is an amazing drawing app! The tools are precise and great replicas of their analog counterparts, the drawing experience is smooth and satisfying, and the app is thoughtfully designed. But perhaps the feature that stands out the most for me, is the fact that all of the colors are labeled. For someone that is color blind, this is a life changing feature. Thank you for designing with accessibility in mind and making drawing in "true color" possible for me!
Putting that aside, this app is an amazing drawing app! The tools are precise and great replicas of their analog counterparts, the drawing experience is smooth and satisfying, and the app is thoughtfully designed. But perhaps the feature that stands out the most for me, is the fact that all of the colors are labeled. For someone that is color blind, this is a life changing feature. Thank you for designing with accessibility in mind and making drawing in "true color" possible for me!
Show less
Response from developer
Hi armorless, thanks for the great review! We are thrilled Flow has been life changing for you - we have some ideas about how to make Flow even more accessible that we'd love to have your input on, please feel free to get in touch via the support button on the help screen! -NH
Not like other note/sketch apps—and that’s good!
I use Procreate and GoodNotes for when I need to get really in depth with my notes or drawing. I’ve been craving an app that has a beautiful, intuitive interface and is simple enough for me to quickly open and use it. Flow is inviting for someone somewhat unartistic as me to use, but I can also see its implications for more detailed sketching. I consider that this app is freshly made and so many features are on the way, and the team of developers is attentive to community suggestions although it is a small team. You can tell a good app by its developer response, so I have a lot of hope for the future of this one. I’m going to use the app more as it evolves, but I’m very pleased now. As to anyone who claims the app is too expensive—$12 once a year is not too much to pay if you pay about that much for a notebook you use in your hands from a bookstore. This app is a well executed attempt to emulate that personal experience with a paper notebook. That’s not easy, but it’s one of the reasons I purchased my iPad Pro with pencil. And if you’re a user that has the same intent as me, who’s already spent $900 or so on an iPad and pencil for that experience, another $12 every year is well worth it for the value returned. Thank you!
Show less
Response from developer
Hi SerenityJLee, Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful review! 😍
Subscription scam
Don’t get it cuz the sub is money after first week
Response from developer
Hi, I wanted to clarify that Flow is absolutely NOT a scam. Flow is not a free app, rather it requires a paid subscription. We offer a free trial that allows you to download the app and try it free for 14 days before we require you to subscribe. We haven't claimed the app was a free app anywhere, and in our App Store description we've tried to make this as clear as possible. -AS
