These two products are very different from each other. Which one should you get if you can have only one? I will try to answer these questions. Remember you can make a comment on this topic in the comments section below. Eaglefiler and Devonthink are file and note managers. They are of a class of applications called libraries. The applications work a little like iPhoto. They hold files and provide services that make them invaluable. For me I’m able to see my whole library of files and can search through them all to find the files that deal with certain topics. Both do this admirably. Then what is the difference?
Eaglefiler uses a directory structure. The folders in the library are actually directories contained within the Eaglefiler files directory. Eaglefiler wants you to use the tools to import files into this directory structure. Once imported you can work with the files normally through the finder. Eaglefiler you shouldn’t create or delete directly from the finder for the files and directories in the maintained directory. You should do that through the eaglefiler interface.
Devonthink works a bit differently. There is no directory structure because all of the files are imported into the Devonthink database. You cannot get to the files outside of Devonthink. That’s not hardship because Devonthink can start the creating apps for a lot of the file types out there. You may find yourself using Devonthink as a superfinder.
So, when should I use one or the other?
I’ve had issues with devonthink and the mobile me iDisk sync. I’ve accidentally deleted files or added files outside of Eaglefiler. So here is how I would rank them.
- Are you going to need to do a lot of scanning and then searching the scans for words inside? Devonthink.
- Do you need idisk syncing capability? Eaglefiler
- Do you want a very powerful search capability? Devonthink
- Do you need access to your files without having to start the app? Eaglefiler
- Do you need your files wrapped in a single file? Devonthink
There you have it. Both products will serve you well. I recommend downloading both products and using them. Only you can tell if one of them is going to irritate you to work with it.
Do you use one or both of these products? Tell us about it, comment below.
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Pretty good assessment. One more to add:
Do you need integrated scanning and OCR support? DEVONthink
OCR is really only supported for the DevonThink Pro product or the Pro office. You are spot on though about Devonthink superior OCR capabilities, and integrated scanning
You can get to your files via the finder when using DEVONthink (2.0). They are stored in a package, but you can Show Package Contents and get to them. Also, you can Show in Finder from DEVONthink.
Good points. That’s part of the sparse bundle format that Devonthink’s files is based on.
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