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Craft Docs vs PhpStorm

Craft Docs logo

Craft Docs

Project Management

Beautiful document and note-taking app for Apple devices

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Craft DocsFull review
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Free plan
No
Visit PhpStormFull review

The short version

  • Craft Docs is free; PhpStorm starts at $24/mo.
  • Only Craft Docs lists rich document editing; only PhpStorm lists PHP-aware coding assistance.
  • Where Craft Docs falls short: primarily designed for Apple ecosystem; limited support for Windows or Android.
  • Where PhpStorm falls short: requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Craft Docs and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where Craft Docs and PhpStorm differ
AttributeCraft DocsPhpStorm
Starting priceFree$24/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOS, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryProject ManagementDeveloper Tools
Founded20192000

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Craft Docs.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Craft Docs

  • Rich document editing
  • Beautiful templates
  • Collaboration in real-time
  • Comments and discussions
  • iCloud sync
  • Powerful search
  • Dark and light themes
  • File attachments

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Craft Docs

  • Productivitynot PhpStorm
  • Collaborationnot PhpStorm
  • Task managementnot PhpStorm
  • Organizationnot PhpStorm

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot Craft Docs
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot Craft Docs
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot Craft Docs
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot Craft Docs

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Craft Docs

  • Primarily designed for Apple ecosystem; limited support for Windows or Android
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to Notion or Obsidian
  • Collaboration features less mature than dedicated team document platforms
  • Requires learning Craft-specific formatting and structure

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period

Pricing, plan by plan

Craft Docs

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Craft Docs review.

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/mo
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/mo
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Craft Docs if

  • You need rich document editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS, Web.
  • You also want beautiful templates.
Craft Docs review

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is Craft Docs or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. Craft Docs starts at Free and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Craft Docs or PhpStorm?
Craft Docs has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Craft Docs and $24/month for PhpStorm.
Does Craft Docs or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
Craft Docs runs on iOS, macOS, Web. PhpStorm runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Craft Docs for free?
Yes. Craft Docs has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/month.
What is Craft Docs best used for?
Craft Docs is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can Craft Docs do that PhpStorm cannot?
Craft Docs covers Rich document editing, Beautiful templates, Collaboration in real-time, Comments and discussions. PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Craft Docs: What platforms does Craft Docs support?

Craft Docs is available on iOS, iPad, and Mac, with deep integration into Apple's ecosystem. A web version is also available.

Source
PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
Craft Docs: Can you collaborate on documents in Craft Docs?

Yes. Craft Docs supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit documents simultaneously.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
Craft Docs: Does Craft Docs have AI features?

Yes. Craft Docs includes AI-powered writing assistance and editing features.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
Craft Docs: Can you use Craft Docs offline?

Yes. Craft Docs allows offline editing with synchronization when connectivity is restored.

Source
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