Cleft
Transforms voice to structured markdown notes, ensuring privacy and accessibility.. [Freemium]
Last verified:
What is Cleft?
Cleft is an AI-powered voice-to-text note-taking app designed to transform spoken thoughts into beautifully organized, structured notes. Simply speak your mind through the app's voice recording feature, and Cleft's AI scribe transcribes your voice and automatically formats it into concise, readable notes with headings, bullet points, and coherent structure. The app is built for verbal thinkers who process ideas out loud, making it ideal for brainstorming, capturing fleeting thoughts, summarizing meetings, or drafting documents without the friction of traditional typing.
Key features include on-device transcription using Whisper for privacy, Markdown support for editing, rolling notes that let you continue adding voice to a single note over time, custom AI instructions to train the AI to write in your voice, voice append to add to notes with your voice anytime, and the ability to attach images and files to notes. Cleft also integrates with Notion, Obsidian, and Zapier for seamless workflow integration, offers private password-protectable shareable links, and supports Apple Intelligence for smart summaries and contextual suggestions.
Cleft is specifically built for neurodiverse individuals (including those with ADHD), students, professionals, writers, and anyone who thinks verbally and wants to capture ideas quickly without losing their flow. The app is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with iCloud sync between devices.
Cleft pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Cleft offers a free Basic plan and a paid Plus subscription. Basic (Free): Voice-to-text notes up to 5 minutes, Apple Notes and Shortcuts integrations, unlimited notes with 5-minute recording limit. Plus Monthly: $6.99/mo - 30-minute recordings, custom AI instructions, voice append to notes, Notion/Zapier/Obsidian sync, priority support, add images/files, private shareable links. Plus Annual: $39.99/year (just $3.33/mo, save 52% vs monthly) - everything in Monthly plus Apple Family Sharing for 6 people and locked-in current pricing. All prices in USD; regional pricing may vary. Student discount: 50% off Plus with valid verification (email support). Refunds handled by Apple via reportaproblem.apple.com.
Cleft pros
- On-device transcription ensures audio never leaves your device
- Transforms spoken ramblings into well-structured notes with headings
- 5-minute free recording limit on Basic plan
- 30-minute recordings with Plus subscription
- Custom AI instructions to train AI to write in your voice
- Rolling notes let you continue adding voice to same note over time
- Full Markdown support for easy editing and formatting
- Voice append feature to add to notes with your voice anytime
- Integrates with Notion, Obsidian, and Zapier
- Private password-protected shareable links for sensitive content
- Apple Intelligence integration for smart summaries and idea expansion
- Export notes as Markdown, plain text, or RTF
- Dark interface support
- Apple Family Sharing included with Plus annual plan
- Founders personally read every support email with 24-hour response
- Works offline for recording (syncs when online)
- No password needed - email verification sign-in
- Audio auto-deletes 1 hour after upload for privacy
Cleft cons
- Transcription and AI processing require internet connection
- Only available on Apple devices (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)
- Basic plan limited to 5-minute recordings
- Audio recordings auto-delete after 1 hour
- No web version - must use native apps
- No quiz generation or AI chat with notes like study tools
- Requires providing own OpenAI API key for on-device Mac-only option
- No dedicated student plan (requires email for discount)
- Regional pricing may vary based on App Store tiers
- Cannot use Plus features for new notes if downgraded
Frequently asked questions about Cleft
How much does Cleft cost?
Cleft has two plans: Basic (Free) offers voice-to-text notes up to 5 minutes with Apple Notes and Shortcuts integrations. Plus costs $6.99/month or $39.99/year and includes 30-minute recordings, custom AI instructions, Notion/Obsidian/Zapier integrations, and priority support. All prices are in USD and regional pricing may vary based on App Store tiers.
Can I switch between plans?
Yes! You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time through your subscription settings in Settings > Account > Manage Subscription, or through your Apple ID settings on iPhone/iPad or App Store on Mac.
What happens to my notes if I downgrade from Plus?
Your existing notes remain fully accessible and you can still view and edit everything. However, Plus features (longer recordings up to 30 minutes, custom instructions, premium integrations like Notion/Obsidian/Zapier) will be limited for new notes after downgrading.
How secure are my notes?
Cleft is privacy-focused: transcription happens locally on your device using Whisper (audio never leaves your device), only transcribed text is sent to AI for formatting (never audio), and stored notes are encrypted at rest on servers. Audio recordings auto-delete 1 hour after upload.
Does Cleft work offline?
Recording works offline, and notes sync when you're back online. However, transcription and AI processing require an internet connection. You can record in lecture halls or without Wi-Fi, but the formatting happens once you reconnect.
Can I edit the AI-formatted output?
Yes! You can tap any text to edit. Both the raw transcription and the AI-formatted note are fully editable. You can also edit with your voice using the voice append feature or use the old-fashioned typing method.
What integrations does Cleft support?
Basic plan includes Apple Notes and Shortcuts integrations. Plus plan adds Notion sync, Obsidian sync (for .md files on local machine), and Zapier integration for workflow automation. Plus also supports private shareable links for sharing.
How do I get a refund for Cleft?
Cleft is sold through the App Store, so all refunds are handled by Apple. Visit reportaproblem.apple.com to request a refund for any App Store purchase. Legacy Stripe subscribers (before December 2024) can contact [email protected] for billing assistance.
Do you offer student discounts?
Yes - email [email protected] with valid student verification for 50% off Cleft Plus. While there's no dedicated student plan, the team will help find a solution that works for students.
How do I restore my purchases if I reinstall the app?
Open Cleft and go to the upgrade screen, then tap 'Restore Purchase' at the bottom. Wait for confirmation. Your notes are safe and will sync back when you sign in with the same email address using email verification.