Most note apps call it “version history.” But there's a big difference between an undo slider and a real diff log. Here's what each app actually gives you.
Shows diffs
Can you see exactly which words or lines changed between versions? Most apps show snapshots — only git-based tools show actual line-level diffs.
Restore any version
Can you restore a specific past state? Most apps support this. The question is how far back and at what granularity.
History costs extra
Is version history free, or only on a paid plan? Many apps gate meaningful history depth behind paid tiers.
| App | History depth | Shows diffs | Restore any | Costs extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowdustthis site Subscription ($5/mo) | Unlimited — every save | |||
| Notion Freemium ($8–15/mo for teams) | 7 days (free); 30 days (Plus); 90 days (Business); 1 year (Enterprise) | |||
| Obsidian Free (Sync $4–8/mo) | 1 year (with Obsidian Sync); requires plugin otherwise | |||
| Evernote Freemium ($14.99/mo Personal) | No history on free; unlimited on paid | |||
| Apple Notes Free (Apple only) | Up to 30 days (OS-dependent) | |||
| Craft Freemium ($4.99/mo) | 7 days (free); unlimited (paid) | |||
| Bear Free / $14.99/yr | Limited (no explicit history feature) |
Every save is a commit. Browse the history, see the diff, restore any version. No plugins, no paid tier, no configuration. Just write.
Edit fearlessly — try Knowdust freeGit-based. Every save is a real commit with a diff. Browse the log, inspect changes, restore any version. No time limit.
Notion shows 'page history' as snapshots but no diff view. You can restore a past snapshot, but you can't see exactly what changed between them. History is gated behind paid plans.
Obsidian Sync includes version history up to 1 year. Without Sync, you need a plugin (Version History Diff) and a git repo. No built-in diff view.
Note history is a paid feature. Evernote shows previous versions as snapshots but no diff view. You restore a full past version, not individual paragraphs.
Browse All Versions is available via File menu in macOS. It shows past versions as snapshots, no diff highlighting. Limited to iCloud sync. iOS experience is more limited.
Craft saves document history and allows restoration. No diff view. History is limited to 7 days on the free plan, unlimited on paid.
Bear doesn't have a dedicated version history feature. You can use iOS/macOS Files app history if synced via iCloud, but it's not a first-class Bear feature.