Notion Alternatives

Larry Snyder
Written By Larry Snyder

Larry Snyder is a home office expert with years of experience helping people set up and optimize their home work spaces.

Notion is a powerful tool packed with fantastic features. However, maybe Notion doesn’t quite suit your needs.

Maybe you need productivity tools with additional features.

Great news! There are lots of Notion alternatives out there with all kinds of incredible key features. Project management, to-do lists, collaboration tools, and much more can all be found in these Notion alternatives.

Best Notion Alternatives 

These Notion alternatives are packed with robust features. If you are looking for an amazing Notion alternative, then you will find the platform you need right here!

Evernote

Evernote website

Evernote is an incredible Notion alternative. You can use Evernote as a note-taking tool, all-in-one project management workspace, and list management.

You can use Evernote to effectively manage every aspect of your business, studies, and life!

Features

You can add more than text to your notes. Photos, to-do lists, and files can all be added to each note.

A powerful feature of Evernote is the ability to organize all notes according to your own preference. You can find notes in an instant using the search tool and keyword tags. This makes Evernote an excellent tool when you want to find something fast!

Platform availability is a big plus for Evernote. The note-taking platform is compatible across devices and systems. Your data will sync too which makes it ideal for use on mobile and the web.

The Evernote web clipper lets you seamlessly add web pages, images, and PDFs to your notes. You can even annotate them! Integrating your apps makes for an easier workspace. The good news is that Evernote can be integrated with other apps including Google Drive.

ProsCons
Easy to organizeFree plan extremely restricted
Find notes fast using the powerful search tool
Seamless for note-taking and syncing across devices
Easy to integrate with apps including Google, Slack, and MS Teams

Pricing

Evernote is competitively priced and an affordable alternative to Notion. Choose from four plans depending on your needs.

Free ($0), Personal ($7.99 per month or $69.99 per year), Professional ($9.99 per month or $99.99 per year), and Evernote Teams ($14.99 per user per month with a 2 user minimum).

Although the Free plan includes all the basic features of Evernote it does have limitations. To unlock more storage space and devices you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. 

Who’s It For?

Evernote is for anyone that wants a powerful note-taking tool with the ability to organize, customize, and integrate with other apps. 

If you only need a note-taking app, then Evernote is an excellent choice.

Coda

Coda website screenshot

Coda is an app that focuses on combining documents. Spreadsheets, word-processing, and databases can all be in one place. No more switching between systems!

Features

Coda is an all-in-one documents management tool. Now you don’t need to switch between Excel, Trello, Word, and more. Use Coda to build your all-in-one documents.

Either create your own using blocks or use one of them many awesome templates to kickstart your documents in minutes! Views can be customized which means each user can work with their preferred style.

There is no limit on the number of documents that can be created. For every project you can make as many folders, projects, or documents that you need. Plus, everything can be shared, exported, deleted as you need. Adding media, graphs, tables, and more can be done in an instant too!

ProsCons
Advanced database featuresCoda takes a little longer to learn how to use effectively
Smart automation tools
Unlimited editors and viewers

Pricing

Coda offers several plans depending on your needs. Start with the Free plan to get a taste of how Coda works. Document sizes are limited on the Free plan.

Upgrading to a paid plan can be done at any time and removes the document size restriction.

The Pro plan costs $10 per month per doc maker. Ideal for freelancers or smaller businesses.

You can move to the Team plan for $30 per month per doc maker or contact Coda to get a quote for the Enterprise plan.

Remember that editors and viewers are unlimited. You only pay for users that are needed to create the documents.

Coda pricing plans

Who’s it for?

Coda is perfect for users that need to create their own custom documents. The ability to combine a range of documents into the perfect document for your team makes Coda a great tool. 

Asana

Asana screenshot

Asana is a fantastic project management tool. Teams that use Asana can enjoy greater control of task management, advanced workspace features, and pre-configured documents to boost workflow.

Features

Communication management is a key feature of Asana. Team members can communicate in real-time on every aspect of the project.

Using the reporting feature allows goal setting, tracking, and management. There is also greater functionality for team management. Team members can be allocated according to project, department, or however you like! Permissions for each team member allow you to control access to each area of the project.

ProsCons
Powerful task management featuresTasks can only be allocated to one user at a time
Collaborative documentsTime tracking is not included
Integrates with other apps including Google Drive
Easy to use

Pricing

Asana pricing is calculated based on the number of team members. The Basic plan is free and covers up to 15 team members.

The Premium plan costs 10.99 USD per month for up to 30 users. Teams that need more than 30 users can opt for the Business plan for $24.99 per month. To get a quote for an Enterprise plan contact Asana directly.

These prices are per user per month if paid annually. If you choose to pay monthly, the figures will be higher. 

Who’s it for?

Asana is a one-stop platform for project management. If you are comparing project management softwares, then Asana will rank highly!

Teams and businesses of all sizes can enjoy streamlined communication using Asana. The ability to collaborate, organize, and manage projects of varied sizes is a key feature for Asana users.

Monday

Monday website screenshot

Monday is a great tool for teams of all sizes to track and manage projects according to their own needs. Collaboration, efficiency, and productivity can all be enhanced by using Monday.

Features

Monday has an array of features to help make project management much easier. Boards and columns are used to provide a high level of task management. Boards can be made private or shared depending on need.

Automation is a great way to streamline workflow. Monday has pre-built ‘automation recipes’ that allow you to decide an ‘action’ when a ‘trigger’ occurs. 

For example, every Monday at 9 AM (trigger) an email is sent reminding team members to join a weekly meeting (action).

Integration is an important feature for productivity tools. Monday is no different and allows seamless integration with a range of other apps including Google Drive, Slack, and Jira.

ProsCons
Built-in time trackingComments can’t be assigned to team members
Custom views for boardsNote-taking not included 
Mobile friendly
Powerful automation features

Pricing

Monday has numerous pricing plans to choose from. The Individual plan is free forever and is for a maximum of 2 users. Teams and large businesses will need to opt for a paid plan. Prices are charged per user per month, but you must have at least 3 users on a plan.

The Basic plan is $8 per month per employee, this means you pay a minimum of $24 per month. Teams using the Standard plan will pay $10 per user, a minimum of $30 per month. Pro plan users pay $16 per month per user, a minimum of $48 per month.

Quotes for Enterprise plans can be discussed by contacting Monday directly.

These prices are when paid annually. Switching to monthly payments will increase these figures per month for teams.

Monday pricing plans

Who’s it for?

Monday is a Notion alternative for users looking for a single platform for complete project management. Run small or large projects with ease when using Monday.

OneNote

OneNote from Microsoft is a note-taking app allowing users to create notes that sync across all devices.

Features

OneNote has a vast array of note-taking features. Notes can be organized, customized, and shared across devices. If you use a touch screen device, then you can draw or write directly on the screen using your finger or a stylus.

Collaborative working means it’s important to be able to share content with other users. OneNote allows you to easily share notes with team members, friends, or anyone else that needs access.

ProsCons
Lots of featuresSyncing is occasionally slow
Mobile friendly
Syncs across devices
Great platform for note sharing

Pricing

OneNote is free to download and use forever! The only time you would pay is if you’ve signed up for a Microsoft 365 subscription to access Microsoft software. OneNote is included in this apps pricing, but you can get OneNote as a standalone app and pay nothing!

Who’s it for?

OneNote is for anyone want to organize and share notes. This versatile note-taking tool is great for businesses of all sizes, educators, and individuals wanting to organize their lives more effectively. 

Whatever you need OneNote for, taking notes using this tool is much better than using a paper document!

Airtable

Airtable screenshot

Airtable is a software tool allowing you to create custom spreadsheets and databases. Kanban boards, calendars, and more can all be effortlessly created using Airtable.

Features

Airtable lets you group spreadsheets (tables) into a base – this base (database) contains all the relevant info for a project. Each project will have its own base and when bases are grouped together this is called a workspace. Workspaces and bases can be shared with team members that require access according to their needs.

Each table in a base houses fields that provide extremely detailed information. Fields can include notes, images, links, numbers, and much more! Filling these fields with data is where your database will grow.

Making a mistake is easily rectified on Airtable. The document version history lets you undo changes or see changes other team members have made. Document history is included on the free plan, but with restrictions.

ProsCons
Pre-made templates for easier useSome features only available on Pro plan
Endless field customization options to make a powerful databaseLinking to tables in other bases is not possible
Bases can be shared with anyone
Mobile friendly apps available

Pricing

Airtable pricing charges a fee per user. There are four plans to choose from. The first plan is entirely free! Called the Free plan it does have restrictions, but still gives enough space for individuals or small teams.

The Pro plan is $10 per month per user and the Pro plan is $20 per month. An Enterprise plan is available, but you will need to contact Airtable directly for a quote.

All prices are based on paying annually. If you choose to pay monthly, the amount is higher.

Who’s it for?

Airtable can be used by anyone wanting to create a spreadsheet or database. The package of pre-made templates make it easy to get started. Data can be organized according to your team’s needs which makes Airtable a super choice for flexibility. Whether you need an internal knowledge management system or something else, Airtable has got you covered!

Quip

Quip website screenshot

Quip a collaborative tool allowing you to store documents and spreadsheets for a project in one place. Access can be given to anyone that needs it. Plus, Quips editing tools allows documents to be edited from the interface.

Features

Quip lets you combine spreadsheets, documents, and chat within one workspace. Documents can be shared with an entire team or restricted to individuals. Offline mode allows continuous work even when offline. 

Spreadsheets can be worked on collaboratively and embedded in documents. Quip is mobile friendly which means users can work from anywhere!

Team chat is available on every document and spreadsheet. You can also use team chat rooms or 1:1 chat when privacy is needed. The ability to comment on anything means the team can stay connected and updated in real time.

ProsCons
Easy to useNo option to integrate with other apps
Quick to get startedLimited API
Offers a free version
Documents can be shared
Editing tools allow real-time changes

Pricing

Quip offers three plans – Starter, Plus, and Advanced. The Starter plan comes with a free trial that has restricted storage. Once you’ve reached the limit you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. What this means is if you don’t use all the storage space, then you will have Quip free forever!

A paid Start plan costs $10 per user per month. Upgrading to the Plus plan will cost $25 per user per month and the Advanced plan is $100 per user per month.

All prices are paid annually. Paying monthly will come with a higher fee.

Quip pricing plans

Who’s it for?

Quip is brilliant for teams working from multiple locations. The ability to chat and edit documents in real time means it doesn’t matter if team members aren’t in the same place!

Teams seeking a tool for document creation with editing and chat features will find Quip ticks all those boxes. 

Dynalist

Dynalist website screenshot

Project management, planning, and note-taking are all made easy to do by Dynalist.

Features

Lists can be turned into checklists, dates can be added, and synced with Google Calendar. Files can be attached and lists shared with permissions given to other users. A public list means anyone can view the list without needing to be added.

Data stored on Dynalist is continually saved automatically. You can also use auto backup on the Pro plan to store all data on Google Drive or Dropbox. 

Users of the desktop app can enjoy working even when offline! 

These are just the highlights of the many amazing features that Dynalist boasts.

ProsCons
Syncs with calendars including Google CalendarsNo option to open more than one outline at a time
Files and images can be attached
Lists can be shared

Pricing

Dynalist has two pricing plans to choose from. The first is the Free plan that includes unlimited items and private sharing.

For more functions such as Google Calendar integration you can upgrade to the Pro plan. The Pro plan costs $7.99 per month if you pay annually.

Dynalist pricing plans

Who’s it for?

Dynalist is the perfect tool for creating detailed lists. By making advanced lists you will be able to make the biggest of tasks easier to manage.

How to Choose a Notion Alternative

Choosing a Notion alternative can be tricky. There are so many great options to choose from!

Start by making a list of everything that you must have. Next, make a list of other features you’d like to have, but aren’t essential.

Understanding the key features and benefits of each platform is essential when deciding. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you need a platform for a single user or that can handle teams of users?
  • How important is the pricing?
  • Do you need an all-in-one team collaboration tool?
  • How important is the ability to integrate other apps like Google Calendar and Google Docs?

Following these steps will help you choose the best Notion alternative for you and your team.

What Are You Looking for in a Productivity Tool?

When choosing an all-in-one productivity platform, understanding exactly what tools you need is important. Think about these key points when choosing a productivity tool.

Improving workflow

Whether you are a solo user or part of a large team, one thing is certain. Improving workflow will mean better efficiency. 

To understand this better consider every task both large and small that you may undertake. Write down each step to visualize exactly what actions are needed at every step of the way.

Once you know what’s involved in every aspect of your workflow, then you can pick a productivity app that provides all the tools you need to successfully manage the task from start to finish. Plus, your efficiency will be vastly improved!

Check your current productivity tools

You probably already use some productivity tools. Perhaps you use different apps for managing task lists, file management, and document storage.

There are some productivity tools with advanced features allowing you to manage everything in one space. Other tools are designed for specific uses only.

First, there is no point in using more than one tool for the same use. This can create confusion, especially when part of a team!

Choose which tools do the best job for your needs and get rid of the rest. 

Next, carefully check exactly what you need from your tools in order to do the best job. It may be that the tools you have to do what you need. If that’s the case, stick with them!

Other productivity tools may be more suitable. When you find one that is better than your existing tools, switch over to using it.

Value for money

Running a successful business requires good budgeting. Signing up to multiple productivity tools that require a monthly fee is probably not a good use of money.

Instead, do a cost-benefit analysis to understand if the productivity tool is worth it for you.

Will the tool help you be more efficient? If it does, will this mean a saving of time and money? Are these savings worth more than the cost of the productivity tool?

Accounting for these key points will prevent wasting money.

Integration

Using multiple apps for different tasks can be problematic. Switching between tools could be time-consuming or confusing if you use numerous tools.

If you must use separate tools for specific tasks check that the productivity tool allows integration.

Boosting efficiency will be much easier if your preferred apps can integrate seamlessly with your chosen productivity tool.

What is a Microsoft Equivalent to Notion?

A Microsoft equivalent to Notion is Microsoft OneNote. Users can effortlessly create, share, and collaborate.

Microsoft OneNote is packed with lots of features including a powerful text editor, multiple customization options, and an intuitive interface.

Notes can be shared, comments can be added, and as you would expect it integrates with other Microsoft programs. If you are a heavy user of Microsoft software, then Microsoft OneNote may be more suitable for your needs.

Does Google Have Something Like Notion?

Google Keep is a straightforward note-taking app. If you need a handy to-do list, then Google Keep could be a solution.

The Google Keep app works great on mobile and syncs with your web browser. If you add the Chrome browser extension, then you can use the app on the web.

Key features of Google Keep include:

  • Syncs across all Google devices
  • Notes can be grouped using labels
  • Supports automatic saving

If you need a simple note-taking tool that works brilliantly on mobile, Google Keep ticks those boxes.

However, it’s not a productivity app with multiple functionalities. If you need advanced workspace features, this won’t be the best tool for you.

Is Obsidian Better than Notion?

Notion is designed to be an all-in-one productivity platform. Note-taking, complete project management, collaborative workspaces, and endless customization options make Notion suitable for anyone needing a platform that does it all.

Obsidian can be used as a second-brain. You make your notes, and a link will be created connecting them all. Notes can be reviewed using the graph view that lets you filter your notes to get an overview according to your needs.

Is Obsidian better than Notion?

If you need a second-brain with an offline mode and a fantastic graph view, then Obsidian is better. Notion is superior for many other uses. Project management, collaboration, and task management are all much better for Notion users.

How Much is Notion Priced at?

Notion offers a Personal plan that is completely free to use. This is a great starting point for individual users. Teams, freelancers, and small businesses can opt for paid plans starting from as little as $4 a month!

Notion paid plans

Is Notion free forever?

Notion allows the Personal plan to be used for free, forever! Amazing value if you only need a workspace for your individual needs. 

File uploads are restricted and there is no version history. However, pages and blocks are unlimited which means you can do quite a lot with the free plan.

Does Notion work offline?

Notion does work offline which is fantastic if you’re in a spot with no internet reception. The good news is that once you are back online the data will sync up meaning nothing is lost!

Now you know about these fantastic Notion alternatives, what next?

Why not start by heading to each site to have a look in more detail at the benefits they can offer you and your business. You may not need to use all these productivity tools, but any you do use will be sure to supercharge your efficiency!