BLOG

Email Me vs Drafts: Which Quick Capture App Wins?

Compare Email Me vs Drafts for quick note capture on iOS. See which app wins for speed, features, and seamless syncing across iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch.

Productivity iPhone iPad

September 29, 2025 by Manuel Escrig · 3 min read

When it comes to quickly capturing thoughts, tasks, and ideas on iOS, two apps often come up in conversation: Email Me and Drafts. Both promise to help you capture information quickly, but they serve different needs and workflows. Let's break down how these apps compare to help you choose the right tool for your productivity setup.

The Quick Capture Challenge

We've all been there – you're in the middle of something when an important thought hits you. Maybe it's a task you need to handle later, a website you want to check out, or a brilliant idea for your next project. The key is capturing that information quickly before it slips away.

Email Me: Simplicity at Its Best

Email Me takes a straightforward approach: tap the app, type your note, and it's instantly emailed to your inbox. This workflow shines in several scenarios:

• Meeting follow-ups: Quickly email yourself action items right after a meeting
• Shopping lists: Jot down items you need to buy when they come to mind
• Reading lists: Send yourself links to articles you want to read later
• Task reminders: Capture to-dos that you'll process in your inbox

The beauty of Email Me lies in its integration with your existing email workflow. There's no new system to learn – your notes land right in your inbox, where you already manage important information.

Drafts: The Power User's Paradise

Drafts, on the other hand, is a more complex tool that serves as a text-processing powerhouse. It offers:

• Advanced text manipulation
• Multiple export options
• Custom actions and automation
• Extensive formatting options

While powerful, this complexity can be overwhelming if you just need to quickly capture thoughts.

The Real-World Comparison

Let's look at how both apps handle common scenarios:

Quick Task Capture:

• Email Me: Two taps to capture and send
• Drafts: Multiple steps to capture and process

Processing Notes:

• Email Me: Notes appear in your email workflow
• Drafts: Requires checking a separate app

Learning Curve:

• Email Me: Minimal - if you can email, you can use it
• Drafts: Steeper - requires time to learn features

Making the Choice

Choose Email Me if:

• You want the fastest possible capture method
• Your workflow centers around email
• You prefer simplicity over complexity
• You don't need advanced text processing

Choose Drafts if:

• You need advanced text manipulation
• You want to build custom workflows
• You prefer keeping notes in a dedicated app
• You're willing to invest time in setup

Practical Tips for Email Me Users

1. Create email templates for common captures
2. Use the share sheet to quickly send web links
3. Set up keyboard shortcuts for faster input
4. Use the subject line feature to organize notes

The Verdict

While Drafts is undoubtedly powerful, Email Me wins for pure quick capture simplicity. It's the perfect tool when you need to get something out of your head and into a system you already use – your email inbox.

For most users, the ability to capture and process information without learning a new system makes Email Me the more practical choice. It's the digital equivalent of quickly jotting something down on a Post-it note, but with the added benefit of landing right in your inbox.

Ready to streamline your capture workflow? Download Email Me from the App Store today and experience the fastest way to send yourself notes, reminders, and ideas. Your future self will thank you for not letting those important thoughts slip away.

Productivity #iPhone #iPad

Thank you for reading!

All the best,

Manuel

Share on Facebook | Share on X