Designers managing moodboards, references, and project briefsneed tools that keep up with their workflow. Here's how Melo and Capacities compare for this specific use case.
What designers need from a productivity tool
Designers deal with moodboards, references, and project briefs daily. The ideal tool for this workflow needs to be fast (no waiting for pages to load), flexible (different projects require different layouts), and smart (AI that understands your specific context). Privacy matters too — designers often handle sensitive information.
Inspiration images, client briefs, and design specs live in different apps
No spatial workspace to arrange references the way your brain works
Design tools handle design, but not the thinking and planning around it
Sharing sensitive client work through cloud tools raises privacy concerns
Capacities for designers
Object-based note-taking with structured content. While Capacities is a capable tool, designers often find it limiting when they need to work with multiple content types simultaneously. Capacities's approach works for generic use cases, but the specific demands of moodboards, references, and project briefs require more flexibility.
Melo
Capacities
Approach
Spatial canvas — free-form, visual, flexible
Object-based — everything is a typed entity with properties
Data
Local-first — private by default
Cloud-first — data stored on Capacities' servers
AI
Workspace-aware AI built into the canvas
AI assistant with object awareness
Flexibility
Arrange anything anywhere — no schema required
Structured — great when it fits, rigid when it doesn't
Platform
Native Mac app — fast and polished
Web-first with desktop wrapper
Why designers pick Melo
Melo's spatial canvas mirrors how designers naturally think — visually and spatially. Tile Figma embeds next to client briefs, moodboard images next to copy drafts. Everything stays local on your Mac, so client work stays private.
For designersspecifically, Melo's spatial canvas means you can design a workspace that mirrors how you think about moodboards, references, and project briefs. Tile your key documents, tasks, web references, and AI chat on one board. Switch between project contexts by switching boards. Everything stays local, fast, and private.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melo faster than Capacities?
Melo is local-first — your data lives on your Mac with zero server round-trips. This means sub-50ms response times for everything. Capacities relies on cloud infrastructure, which introduces latency, especially with larger workspaces.
Is Melo good for designers?
Yes. Melo's spatial canvas is particularly well-suited for designers who need to manage moodboards, references, and project briefs. The ability to tile multiple content types on one board means you can see everything relevant to your work without switching apps.
Is Melo more expensive than Capacities?
Melo is a one-time $29.99 lifetime license — no subscription. Many competitors charge $10–15/month with no ownership option. Over a year or two, Melo typically costs less, and the lifetime license means zero recurring fees.
Is my data private with Melo?
Yes. Melo is local-first, meaning your data lives on your Mac by default. Nothing is uploaded to external servers unless you explicitly use AI features, which send only the necessary context and don't persist your data.
What platforms does Melo support?
Melo is built exclusively for macOS. It's a native Electron app optimized for the Mac experience — trackpad gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and performance tuned for Apple hardware.