Scrintal Blog
Ideas for visual thinkers
Guides to note-taking and research, honest tool comparisons, and product news from the team building Scrintal.
Latest from the blog
53 articles
New Features & FAQ on Scrintal and Gobu
When building products, clearly identifying and understanding the problem you’re solving is key. You set out with a vision, and you solve for the outcome.
Ece KuralRead
Blog2 min readScrintal’s Playground for the Mind is live on Product Hunt
Playground for the Mind is LIVE on Product Hunt today, October 15th 2024. Our full product film is also out 🎉
Ece Kural
Blog5 min readHow Scrintal Can Fuel Your Creative Entrepreneurship
This one tool has transformed the way I manage my business and life.
Razane
Blog6 min readPlayground for the Mind is here! Here’s what changed in Scrintal
Our big day is here! We are launching Scrintal’s new experience, Playground for the Mind™, and limited-time monthly plan on October 8th at 9.00 am CET.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readProduct Update: Streamlining the Scrintal Experience and New Terminology
We are gearing up for our upcoming launch in October! We’re cooking so many exciting features in our kitchen.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readScrintal’s Playground for the Mind™ launching in October
We’ve been hard at work on Playground for the Mind™, an entirely rebuilt version of Scrintal canvas.
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readDiscovering the Playground for the Mind — Inside Scrintal’s Product Development Process
You may have already read Ece Kural’s post, “Scrintal–building a playground for the mind.” If you haven’t, you should. It’s a great read!
Mathias Björk
Blog2 min readHow we build Scrintal’s new canvas experience from scratch
Every Thursday, we onboard a new cohort of users to test Scrintal’s new canvas experience, Playground for the Mind™.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readScrintal’s Roadmap and FAQs
In early fall, we are releasing our new canvas experience, Playground for the Mind.
Ece Kural
Blog6 min readScrintal–building a playground for the mind
We don’t need another piece of software. Certainly not another link in our already long chain of tools.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readDoubling Down on Scrintal’s Core Values
Processing feedback can be overwhelming, especially when it comes from many people with different backgrounds and needs and whose opinions you value equally.
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readScrintal’s Major Performance Overhaul is out
These are the nightmare chants for anyone building software. This is the point when you know that you need to prioritise performance, even if it means you…
Ece Kural
Blog5 min readWhat makes Scrintal unique?
How can you describe Scrintal? This question haunted us. We iterated countless times but had no luck describing everything in a single line.
Ece Kural
Blog7 min readIncreasing the performance of Scrintal, the tool for visual thinking
Throughout 2023, we have shipped some exciting features to Scrintal, including some major UI updates, starred items, dark mode, the action bar, web links on…
Philipp Temmel
Blog7 min readScrintal’s Philosophy and Roadmap
Some users were asking these questions with a genuine interest in Scrintal, while some were surprised.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readWhy we build Scrintal
We started discussing the Scrintal concept when I was doing my Ph.D. and had to interview 60 United Nations bureaucrats to write one article.
Ece Kural
Blog4 min readRevolutionizing Knowledge Management: The Scrintal Visual Knowledge Base Journey (2022–2023)
“Scrintal feels like bending over backward.” The first feedback was candid. We were creating a new concept, merging whiteboards with knowledge systems.
Ece Kural
Blog4 min readEmpower Your Medical Studies with These Tips
Medicine is a demanding field that requires not only a strong memory but also a deep understanding of complex concepts.
Scrintal
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Dark Mode and Further Visuality in Note Taking
Exciting news! We released dark mode, enhanced free text elements, and improved UI even more!
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readProduct Update: Keeping track of your content
The past weeks have produced many updates that we are excited to share! As users interact and create more and more notes in Scrintal, managing and getting a…
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Improving Scrintal’s Usability
As Scrintal is proving useful for a variety of professionals and academics in note-taking, organizing, and planning their work, it becomes increasingly…
Ece Kural
Blog9 min readScrintal releases the private beta: combine visuality with knowledge management
Starting on the September 29th, those who would like to use Scrintal right away will receive a yearly access for $60.
Ece Kural
Blog8 min readHow we priced a pre-launch product fast with the help of 1400+ people
As first-time startup founders, my business partners and I at Scrintal felt firsthand how difficult it is to turn uncertainty into something tangible.
Arda Ertem
Blog4 min readRevealing Scrintal’s Early Access Plan
Before Scrintal’s MVP was ready, we, as a team, used many “productivity” tools that caused us lose time and flow looking for the information we needed to make…
Arda Ertem
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Advancing Visual Thinking
Scrintal’s team philosophy is “Iterate Fast and Release Often”. So every time we launch a new feature, we learn quickly and iterate.
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Spotlight
In the last couple of weeks we brought new functions and also did improvements. Our community reacted so positively, and we are happy to keeping on improving…
Ece Kural
Blog1 min readProduct Update: Import Markdown Archives ⬆️
What our community told us was that “We love writing in Markdown, and we have big archives in Markdown already. However we lack the visual aspect!”
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Share your Knowledge Visually
As a community, we questioned the roots and reasons behind we create knowledge. Why do we bother and create new knowledge?
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readUsing Scrintal For My Ship30for30 Essays
My workflow, and how I use Scrintal to catch ideas
Anders Sporring
Blog1 min readProduct Update: Combining Visual Thinking and Knowledge Management
Scrintal Community is growing and we are keeping on shipping 🎉
Ece Kural
Blog1 min readProduct Update: Taking Visual Thinking to the Next Level
Making a hybrid tool between networked note taking and mind mapping is not an easy challenge!
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readProduct Update: Version 2 is out!
In our previous update, we announced that we onboarded our first batch of users. Hearing the feedbacks such as “Scrintal made me write my essay in a record…
Ece Kural
Blog4 min readWhy I Joined Scrintal
Six months ago I joined Scrintal, an early-stage startup based in Stockholm led by its three expat founders (Ece Kural, Furkan Bayraktar, and Arda Ertem)…
Daiana Moyano
Blog1 min readProduct Update: First Batch Onboarded!
Big news is here, we started our alpha testing with our first batch!
Ece Kural
Blog5 min readKnowledge and Open Source
Imagine having a true collective mind of humanity. A true collective knowledge that exists between individuals, and something bigger than the sum of its parts.
Ece Kural
Blog7 min readOn Clojure, Polylith, and Software Development: An Interview with a Startup CTO
We sat down with our Software Engineer, CTO, and Co-founder Furkan Bayraktar to hear his story.
Daiana Moyano
Blog4 min readThe future of building and sharing knowledge — Enter Scrintal
Hello! If you’re reading this, you’re probably surfing the rabbit holes of the internet, 50 tabs deep into yet another article, feeling confused while making…
Ece Kural
Blog8 min read10 Tips for PhD Time Management and Choosing a PhD Supervisor
How hard can it be to finish a PhD in 3 years and 1 month? Well, there is no one-size-fits-all solution that suits every single person.
Arda Ertem
Blog9 min read10 Practical Tips for Improving Workflow and Connecting Ideas in Writing
When trying to write and connect the contents of your thesis or research to concrete ideas and conclusions, sometimes the task is easier said than done.
Adam Grachek
Blog5 min readHow to Write a Literature Review
Clearly define the topic of your research, this is the basis of picking what articles to read and analyze, and subsequently include in your research topic.
Adam Grachek
Blog9 min read20 Tried and Tested Time Management Tools for Academics
By Ece Kural, PhD in International Relations, Co-Founder and CEO of the Knowledge Management Platform Scrintal
Ece Kural
Blog10 min read10 Essential Tips for Considering and Preparing to Apply for a PhD
Pursuing a PhD is a huge decision. It’s not only a career choice that affects the next 3–7 years of your life after your post secondary education, it also has…
Ece Kural
Blog10 min readThe Complete Guide to Conducting Research Interviews
The complete guide to research interviews: choosing between interviews and surveys, finding people to interview, asking good questions and recording interviews.
Scrintal
Blog3 min readHow Does Clear Visualization Help Your Brain Connect Ideas?
Have you ever struggled to understand a concept until someone likened it to something else that you already understood?
Scrintal
Blog3 min readThe Importance of Collaboration in the Process of Ideation
You’ve probably heard one of the many idioms about how “teamwork makes the dream work” or “two heads are better than one” or “heavy hands make light work.”
Scrintal
Blog3 min readHow to transcribe an interview for an international research project with little funding?
Written by Marie Jasser — Coordinator of the Bolivian team in SolPan+ Latin America International Research Consortium, University of Vienna
Arda Ertem
Blog3 min readAn Introduction to Research Interviews
Decide between interviews and surveys. An introduction to the different types of research interviews, part one of the Research Interviews ultimate guide series.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readGood questions to ask while interviewing
The most essential preparation for the interviews is finding the right questions to ask. To be more specific, we will dig deeper into the different types of…
Ece Kural
Blog2 min readHow to Record High-Quality Audio
We are often asked how to improve the accuracy of transcriptions so that getting insights from audio or video recordings can be made even faster.
Arda Ertem
Blog4 min readHow to transcribe an interview?
Why should I use an automatic transcription software instead of doing it myself?
Arda Ertem
Blog2 min readInterview Sampling: How do I find people to interview?
Finding participants to interview is the first major milestone in the interview process. First task is to figure out who to interview.
Ece Kural
Blog3 min readInterview techniques and how to record interviews
As the interviewer, you can decide to hold the interview in a private space, such as your private room in your office, or a public place.
Ece Kural
Blog5 min readSensitive Data and Receiving Consent according to GDPR
In May 2018, new data protection regulations were introduced across the EU. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was developed to protect EU…
Arda Ertem
Guides
19 articles
Guide5 min readVisual Note-Taking App: How It Works and What to Look For
What a visual note-taking app is, how visual note-taking works on an infinite canvas, and the features to look for, with examples from Scrintal.
Ece Kural
Guide10 min readAdvanced Strategies for an Effective Literature Review
Improve your academic writing with effective literature review strategies. Organize, analyze, and synthesize research literature using proven methodologies.
Ece Kural
Guide7 min readEffective Note Taking Strategies for Thesis Projects
Master proven note taking methods for thesis projects. Organize research efficiently with visual knowledge management tools that connect ideas and enhance academic writing.
Ece Kural
Guide5 min readHow To Take Smart Notes: The Ultimate Zettelkasten Guide
Effortlessly master the Zettelkasten method with smart and simple note taking and take Fleeting Notes, Literature Notes, and Permanent Notes.
Ece Kural
Guide6 min readHow to Write a Literature Review
A literature review is a part of a research paper that compiles, describes, and analyzes different sources of information. Write literature review in 3 steps with examples.
Ece Kural
Guide10 min readHow Visual Note Taking Revolutionizes Learning & Productivity in simple steps
Boost memory and creativity with visual note taking methods that work. Students and professionals organize information more effectively.
Ece Kural
Guide7 min readMastering Personal Knowledge Management with Scrintal
Organize ideas visually, connect notes, and boost productivity with Scrintal’s personal knowledge management system.
Ece Kural
Guide7 min readNote Taking Software For Visual Learners
Scrintal: Visual note taking app for students and business teams. Enhance comprehension and collaboration. Transform your note taking experience with joy and efficiency.
Ece Kural
Guide7 min readNote Taking Strategies: Find The Most Suitable One For You
Discover effective note taking techniques like Cornell, Mind Mapping, Charting, Sentence, and Outline with Scrintal. Learn which note taking works best for you.
Daiana Moyano
Guide5 min readScrintal 2022 Personal Knowledge Management Report
Unlock insights in the 2022 Knowledge Management Report by Scrintal. Explore user needs, behaviors, and top tools. Join our community for early access and anticipate the 2023 report.
Ece Kural
Guide6 min readStudent Note-Taking: Level Up Your Essay Writing
Scrintal is a visual note taking tool designed to help students with note taking, efficient ideation, essay planning, and seamless essay writing in three steps.
Isha Trivedi
Guide7 min readThe 5 Best Note Taking Tips From PKM Experts
Master note taking with insights from PKM experts. Capture thoughts swiftly, stick to your method, and use app Scrintal for seamless digital note taking and Research.
Daiana Moyano
Guide8 min readThe Heart of Scrintal: Part one
Stories of Scrintal users about how the app fits into their lives: gaining control over ideas, seeing the context of every thought, and writing instead of upkeep.
Daiana Moyano
Guide7 min readThe Heart of Scrintal: Part two
More stories of Scrintal users about how the app fits into their lives: consolidating notes to save time, and moving from paper to digital project notes.
Ece Kural
Guide8 min readThe Role of Literature Reviews in Academic Success
Create powerful literature reviews that boost research quality and academic writing success. Our guide shows you how to organize, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources effectively.
Ece Kural
Guide7 min readVisual Note Taking with Scrintal - Ultimate Guide
Master visual note taking for research with AI assistance. Learn 5 proven methods to transform dense academic papers into clear, memorable visual formats that boost comprehension.
Ece Kural
Guide5 min readVisual Note Taking: Level Up Your Knowledge Management
Using the best note taking app, visualise note taking in Scrintal with six easy steps and remember ideas better. Create your visual knowledge base of interconnected notes.
Anders Sporring
Guide7 min readVisual Note-Taking: Transform Your Ideas into Action with Scrintal
How a great visual canvas combines visual notes with powerful note-taking capabilities so you see connections between ideas and turn thoughts into action.
Ece Kural
Guide4 min readWhat Is Note-Taking? Definition, Benefits & Methods
What is note-taking? A clear definition, why notes help you learn and remember, the main methods from Cornell to mind maps, and how famous people take notes.
Anders Sporring
Comparisons
26 articles
Comparison13 min readBest Evernote Alternatives for Students and Professionals
Save money with powerful note-taking apps that match Evernote's features. Compare top budget-friendly alternatives for students and busy professionals.
Ece Kural
Comparison3 min readClover app Alternative: Enter Scrintal
Seeking a Clover app alternative? Scrintal empowers notes and knowledge management with ease. Elevate your note-taking now.
Daiana Moyano
Comparison12 min readEssential Features of Notion Alternatives You Should Know
Looking for a better productivity tool? Learn which key features matter most when choosing Notion alternatives to match your specific work style and needs.
Ece Kural
Comparison12 min readEvaluating Team Collaboration: Miro vs. Top Competitors in 2026
Compare Miro with leading team collaboration tools in 2026. Find the ideal platform for your team's visual collaboration, knowledge management, and project coordination needs.
Ece Kural
Comparison9 min readEvernote Alternative
Looking for an Evernote alternative? Scrintal online whiteboard is an easy to use alternative to Evernote for visual note taking.
Isha Trivedi
Comparison11 min readExploring the Best Paid Alternatives to Miro for Professional Teams
Professional teams seeking robust collaboration tools beyond Miro will find powerful paid alternatives with advanced features for complex project management and visual thinking.
Ece Kural
Comparison9 min readFree Visual Note-Taking Tool Alternatives
Find powerful free visual note-taking tools with canvas features, mind mapping capabilities, and collaboration options for organizing complex information visually.
Ece Kural
Comparison14 min readInnovative Alternatives to Obsidian You Haven't Heard Of
Get more from your notes with visual canvas tools that outshine Obsidian. See how these innovative alternatives handle research and creative projects.
Ece Kural- Comparison12 min read
Mural Alternative: Scrintal | Organization of Ideas
Scrintal is the perfect Mural alternative. Where mind mapping meets note taking to organise your extensive work.
Isha Trivedi 
Comparison3 min readMuse Notes app Alternative: Enter Scrintal
Seeking a Muse app alternative? Scrintal empowers notes and knowledge management with ease. Elevate your note-taking now.
Daiana Moyano
Comparison15 min readObsidian Alternatives with Robust Graph Features
Looking for note-taking apps like Obsidian? Compare top alternatives with robust graph features for mind mapping and visual organization of your knowledge base.
Ece Kural
Comparison13 min readObsidian vs Scrintal: Which Note-Taking App is Right for You?
Compare Obsidian and Scrintal to find which note-taking app best fits your workflow. Detailed feature comparison helps you choose the perfect productivity tool.
Ece Kural- Comparison11 min read
Roam Research Alternative
Scrintal is a Roam Research alternative to visualize notes, backlinks and media over an online whiteboard
Isha Trivedi 
Comparison6 min readScrintal: The Best Heptabase Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for a Heptabase alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, infinite canvas, and bi-directional linking to organize ideas effortlessly. Try now!
Daiana Moyano
Comparison11 min readScrintal: The Best Logseq Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for a Logseq alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, bi-directional links, and multimedia-rich boards to organize and connect ideas effortlessly.
Isha Trivedi
Comparison11 min readScrintal: The Best Milanote Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for a Milanote alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, infinite canvas, and connected ideas to enhance creativity and productivity. Try Scrintal today!
Isha Trivedi
Comparison7 min readScrintal: The Best Miro Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for a Miro alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, infinite canvas, and connected ideas to build a sustainable knowledge base. Try Scrintal today!
Daiana Moyano
Comparison14 min readScrintal: The Best Notion Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for a Notion alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, bi-directional links, and multimedia-rich notes to help you organize and connect ideas effortlessly.
Daiana Moyano
Comparison11 min readScrintal: The Best Obsidian Alternative for Visual Note-Taking (2026)
Looking for an Obsidian alternative? Scrintal offers visual note-taking, bi-directional links, multimedia-rich notes, and collaboration tools for effortless organization.
Ece Kural
Comparison11 min readThe Top 10 Notion Alternatives for Every Use Case
Looking for Notion alternatives? Compare the top 10 productivity tools that offer unique features for different work styles, team sizes, and use cases.
Ece Kural
Comparison10 min readTop 10 Free Alternatives to Miro for Collaborative Projects
Powerful free Miro alternatives await for your collaborative projects. Visual workspaces with comparable features exist without the premium price tag.
Ece Kural
Comparison11 min readTransitioning from Evernote: User Experiences and Top Alternatives
Make your Evernote transition seamless with insights from real user experiences. Find the perfect alternative note-taking app that matches your unique workflow.
Ece Kural- Comparison9 min read
Visual Note-Taking Apps: The Next Step for Lifelong Learners
Compare visual note-taking apps that help organize ideas and connect knowledge. Scrintal offers an infinite canvas with powerful linking for enhanced learning.
Ece Kural 
Comparison14 min readVisual Note-Taking: Reviewing Tools for Educators and Students
Compare top visual note-taking tools for education that enhance learning, improve retention, and make complex concepts easier to understand for both students and teachers.
Ece Kural- Comparison7 min read
Visual Notetaking Tools Alternative | Which One Should I Choose?
Deciding on the best visual notetaking tool for you? Scrintal strikes the perfect balance between capability and simple interface. Learn which one is for you.
Isha Trivedi 
Comparison5 min readWhy Scrintal is the best for AI Research Notes
Use the top obsidian alternative for research. Scrintal brings smart agents, visual notes, and accuracy to every academic workflow.
Ece Kural
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