SammyDuck
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
This app is now one of three that I use for brainstorming political articles for my WordPress blog. “Frictionless” is the operant term here—you’ll be up and running in a few minutes. I like the panel interface, the basic folder structure, the ability to move several notes easily from folder to folder. Most of all, perhaps, the ability to arrange and then merge notes into a larger file has become quite handy. To top it off, the share and export features make this a good starting point before sending off to a markdown text editor, in preparation for my blog publishing.
UPDATED REVIEW, FEB 11, 2025:
Just had an iCloud sync problem with the latest version. Notified developer and it’s already fixed, within a couple hours! FASTEST SUPPORT I BELIEVE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
UPDATED REVIEW, MAR 1, 2025:
I’ve been trying out other “frictionless” brainstorming, mindmapping, and simple writing tools on the TOP PAID list on the App Store. I like mindmapping but often find it unnecessary for 5-12 paragraph essays. Since the final result is going to be linear anyway, coherence is mostly a matter of arranging paragraphs in the best order, with clear transitions between them.
This BRAIN DUMP app has, so far, proved to be the most efficient and truly frictionless I have found for my Wordpress blogging workflow. My vision is not great, but I find both the fonts and font size adjustments quite convenient here. And when you finish brainstorming, you can arrange and merge your selected notes into one document. Then use the share sheet to share it to your favorite text editor or blogging platform.
This app is now one of three that I use for brainstorming political articles for my WordPress blog. “Frictionless” is the operant term here—you’ll be up and running in a few minutes. I like the panel interface, the basic folder structure, the ability to move several notes easily from folder to folder. Most of all, perhaps, the ability to arrange and then merge notes into a larger file has become quite handy. To top it off, the share and export features make this a good starting point before sending off to a markdown text editor, in preparation for my blog publishing.
UPDATED REVIEW, FEB 11, 2025:
Just had an iCloud sync problem with the latest version. Notified developer and it’s already fixed, within a couple hours! FASTEST SUPPORT I BELIEVE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
UPDATED REVIEW, MAR 1, 2025:
I’ve been trying out other “frictionless” brainstorming, mindmapping, and simple writing tools on the TOP PAID list on the App Store. I like mindmapping but often find it unnecessary for 5-12 paragraph essays. Since the final result is going to be linear anyway, coherence is mostly a matter of arranging paragraphs in the best order, with clear transitions between them.
This BRAIN DUMP app has, so far, proved to be the most efficient and truly frictionless I have found for my Wordpress blogging workflow. My vision is not great, but I find both the fonts and font size adjustments quite convenient here. And when you finish brainstorming, you can arrange and merge your selected notes into one document. Then use the share sheet to share it to your favorite text editor or blogging platform.
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Response from developer
Thank you so much for your review! I'm happy you like the app. If you have any feature you would like to see in BrainDump you can send me an email here braindump.help@gmail.com
SammyDuck
UPDATED REVIEW, AUG 13, 2026:
In the past I have supported this app, but I find it hard to do so now, for two reasons:
1) I have used the app, intermittently, to help with brainstorming my blog posts (see below), partly because of the MERGE FEATURE, which allows writers to stitch together several notes in order to “compile” a finished article. Because I use the free version of this app, I now find myself locked out of the merge feature, which is now behind the subscription paywall.
2) The subscription rate for this app is entirely unreasonable, and there is NO LIFETIME OPTION here.
This is still a good app, of course, if you’re in the upper five-percent, financially. The tendency here on the App Store to market what are essentially overpriced brainstorming utilities as subscriptions is not a welcome one, however. ANOTHER RESULT OF ECONOMIC INFLATION?
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
This app is now one of three that I use for brainstorming political articles for my WordPress blog. “Frictionless” is the operant term here—you’ll be up and running in a few minutes. I like the panel interface, the basic folder structure, the ability to move several notes easily from folder to folder. Most of all, perhaps, the ability to arrange and then merge notes into a larger file has become quite handy. To top it off, the share and export features make this a good starting point before sending off to a markdown text editor, in preparation for my blog publishing.
UPDATED REVIEW, FEB 11, 2025:
Just had an iCloud sync problem with the latest version. Notified developer and it’s already fixed, within a couple hours! FASTEST SUPPORT I BELIEVE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
UPDATED REVIEW, MAR 1, 2025:
I’ve been trying out other “frictionless” brainstorming, mindmapping, and simple writing tools on the TOP PAID list on the App Store. I like mindmapping but often find it unnecessary for 5-12 paragraph essays. Since the final result is going to be linear anyway, coherence is mostly a matter of arranging paragraphs in the best order, with clear transitions between them.
This BRAIN DUMP app has, so far, proved to be the most efficient and truly frictionless I have found for my Wordpress blogging workflow. My vision is not great, but I find both the fonts and font size adjustments quite convenient here. And when you finish brainstorming, you can arrange and merge your selected notes into one document. Then use the share sheet to share it to your favorite text editor or blogging platform.
In the past I have supported this app, but I find it hard to do so now, for two reasons:
1) I have used the app, intermittently, to help with brainstorming my blog posts (see below), partly because of the MERGE FEATURE, which allows writers to stitch together several notes in order to “compile” a finished article. Because I use the free version of this app, I now find myself locked out of the merge feature, which is now behind the subscription paywall.
2) The subscription rate for this app is entirely unreasonable, and there is NO LIFETIME OPTION here.
This is still a good app, of course, if you’re in the upper five-percent, financially. The tendency here on the App Store to market what are essentially overpriced brainstorming utilities as subscriptions is not a welcome one, however. ANOTHER RESULT OF ECONOMIC INFLATION?
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
This app is now one of three that I use for brainstorming political articles for my WordPress blog. “Frictionless” is the operant term here—you’ll be up and running in a few minutes. I like the panel interface, the basic folder structure, the ability to move several notes easily from folder to folder. Most of all, perhaps, the ability to arrange and then merge notes into a larger file has become quite handy. To top it off, the share and export features make this a good starting point before sending off to a markdown text editor, in preparation for my blog publishing.
UPDATED REVIEW, FEB 11, 2025:
Just had an iCloud sync problem with the latest version. Notified developer and it’s already fixed, within a couple hours! FASTEST SUPPORT I BELIEVE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
UPDATED REVIEW, MAR 1, 2025:
I’ve been trying out other “frictionless” brainstorming, mindmapping, and simple writing tools on the TOP PAID list on the App Store. I like mindmapping but often find it unnecessary for 5-12 paragraph essays. Since the final result is going to be linear anyway, coherence is mostly a matter of arranging paragraphs in the best order, with clear transitions between them.
This BRAIN DUMP app has, so far, proved to be the most efficient and truly frictionless I have found for my Wordpress blogging workflow. My vision is not great, but I find both the fonts and font size adjustments quite convenient here. And when you finish brainstorming, you can arrange and merge your selected notes into one document. Then use the share sheet to share it to your favorite text editor or blogging platform.
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Trash
I came to finish my notes for school and a large piece of my notes are gone! This isn’t the first time this has happened! I can’t recover my notes even on my iPad
Response from developer
We’re really sorry, especially when you needed your notes for school. We understand why this looks like BrainDump deleted your notes. What can happen is that when your iCloud storage is full, BrainDump can’t complete the iCloud sync and the app may appear empty. The notes are not deleted from iCloud. After you free up iCloud storage space and reopen BrainDump, the notes should sync back. If you reinstall the app, your notes will still be available through iCloud as long as you have not deleted the BrainDump data from iCloud. We’re sorry that the app didn’t clearly explain what was happening. We’re working on improving this so users aren’t left thinking their notes are permanently gone.
Worst App - Deletes ur notes
Will just delete ur notes
Response from developer
We’re really sorry this happened. The app can appear empty when your iCloud storage is full because the notes can’t finish syncing. Please free up some space in your iCloud account and reopen BrainDump, your notes should sync back into the app. You can also reinstall BrainDump if needed, your notes will still be in iCloud as long as you have not deleted the data from iCloud. We understand how alarming this is, especially when the app gives no explanation. We’re working to make this situation much clearer and prevent users from thinking their notes are gone.
Exceptional!
Really impressed with this app. I’m a divergent writer in content creator so capturing ideas is really important to me and this app has made it really easy and I love the minimalist UX/UI. It helps me to think better and gather ideas. I’ve tried so many apps, but sometimes too many features creates more friction. This app is simple straightforward and gets you into creating more. If you care about having novel ideas this app is for you.
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Response from developer
Thank you so much for your positive review. I'm really happy that BrainDump is helping you capturing your ideas!
Sweet app
Very cool, good adhd tool
Response from developer
Thank you so much
Easy to use and Very Useful
An app that is easy to use and has features to help you write down ideas and any kind of thought you may have and organize your thoughts.
Response from developer
Thank so much. I'm really happy you like the app!
Love it!
Really appreciate I can unscramble my brain by getting it all out! I love this app!
Great app
This is great, as a YouTuber I am always coming up with ideas and this really helps me keep them organized
Response from developer
Thank you so much. I'm really happy that BrainDump is helping you.
A great find!
I love the clean and intuitive design, and how there’s a free version. Markdown works great. Like the organization panel on the left. 10/10! keep up the good work
Response from developer
Thank you so much! I'm happy you like the app
Great app!!!
I love this app. However, I would love to see more improvements/upgrades to it. I feel like it’s missing some things that would help make it better.
Response from developer
Thank you! You can e-mail me at braindump.help@gmail.com
Amazing App: Upgrade to Pro
Worth its weight in gold. Finally got me to switch from Apple Notes when I found this one. You can do so many things with your notes. You can convert them into a business-style report. You can make them into a quiz. Turn them into Flashcards. Interrogate your notes (ask questions and receive answers). LOVE THIS!
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Response from developer
Thank you so much for your positive review, I'm really happy you like Brain Dump and the convert feature. Feel free to share any additional thoughts at braindump.help@gmail.com
Subscription?
I don’t recall being inundated with a ridiculous subscription offer when I installed the app. Did you bait and switch the app? Regardless, instant uninstall.
Not enough friction
I was away from the app for a few days and all my notes got deleted. I didnt do anything out of the ordinary other than maybe allow the app to update, but I would rather a notes app where I know the notes won't disappear.
Promising start but needs some improvement
This app has a lot of potential and presents a solid concept, but it still feels like a work in progress—understandable given its relatively recent release.
This app is a near identical match to the Keep-It app and has a native macOS feel.
Issues I’ve Encountered:
1. Note-taking performance is noticeably sluggish, with delayed response times during typing.
2. Folder icon colour selection doesn’t appear to work—the icons remain black regardless of the chosen colour.
3. Toolbar buttons are non-functional at the moment.
4. There’s no visual indication (such as a shaded background) when text formatting options like bold are active.
5. The menu bar currently displays two separate “Notes” menus.
Features I’d Love to See in Future Updates:
1. Support for subfolders to improve organisation.
2. The ability to import and manage PDF files.
3. Zoom functionality within notes.
4. An additional sidebar on the other side for displaying note metadata, outlines, or tags.
5. Expanded text formatting options
This app is a near identical match to the Keep-It app and has a native macOS feel.
Issues I’ve Encountered:
1. Note-taking performance is noticeably sluggish, with delayed response times during typing.
2. Folder icon colour selection doesn’t appear to work—the icons remain black regardless of the chosen colour.
3. Toolbar buttons are non-functional at the moment.
4. There’s no visual indication (such as a shaded background) when text formatting options like bold are active.
5. The menu bar currently displays two separate “Notes” menus.
Features I’d Love to See in Future Updates:
1. Support for subfolders to improve organisation.
2. The ability to import and manage PDF files.
3. Zoom functionality within notes.
4. An additional sidebar on the other side for displaying note metadata, outlines, or tags.
5. Expanded text formatting options
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Excellent ‼️
I’m really loving this app ‼️ thank you to the developers
LOVE IT
Super clean minimalist UI, feels very native, I use Obsidian for study or extensive notes, and Brain dump for well.. brain dumping or temporary notes.
A few suggestions:
- Being able to open the app directly to the folders area, without creating a new note or opening an existing note, this will make this app 10/10
- Collapsible headers & line divider for some basic structure
- Dark gray option for dark mode (as opposed to true black)
This app is great, I love the Mac app even more. The sticky note feature is extremely useful. Syncs super fast.
A few suggestions:
- Being able to open the app directly to the folders area, without creating a new note or opening an existing note, this will make this app 10/10
- Collapsible headers & line divider for some basic structure
- Dark gray option for dark mode (as opposed to true black)
This app is great, I love the Mac app even more. The sticky note feature is extremely useful. Syncs super fast.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your review! In the next update you will be able to open the app directly to the folders list.
Useful
This is a great and simple note-taking app.
Love it
Super easy to use and simple app. Clean and nice UI. There really is zero friction, open the app and start typing. Great app.
Answered my request
I rated this app 4 stars awhile back because I couldn’t format the text. But I provided feedback and the developer answered my request quickly. Thank you for that. Now rating it 5.
Response from developer
Thank you so much for your review!
