Is How to Take Smart Notes better than Getting Things Done?

How to Take Smart Notes ranks higher in our list of productivity and note-taking books (#2 against #3, score 90.5 against 88.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Getting Things Done is best for: capturing and organizing tasks. How to Take Smart Notes is best for: Zettelkasten notes and research writing.

Which is cheaper, Getting Things Done or How to Take Smart Notes?

Getting Things Done: Print editions from Penguin; price varies by seller. How to Take Smart Notes: Print edition; free first chapter and appendix PDFs on the author's site.

Comparison · Productivity and note-taking books

Getting Things Done vs How to Take Smart Notes: which is better in 2026?

Getting Things Done88.5#3 in best productivity and note-taking books

How to Take Smart Notes90.5#2 in best productivity and note-taking books

How to Take Smart Notes ranks higher in our list of productivity and note-taking books (#2 against #3, score 90.5 against 88.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

88.5
Editorial score
90.5
1
Formats
1
No
Free to use
No

Which should you choose?

Choose Getting Things Done if you want

Capturing and organizing tasks.

A complete capture and review workflow for tasks and commitments, with concrete steps for each part. It is about task systems rather than attention or notes, so it complements Deep Work and Smart Notes here.

Choose How to Take Smart Notes if you want

Zettelkasten notes and research writing.

The most detailed note-taking method here, a Zettelkasten system for linking notes and writing from them. It takes practice and is not a task manager, so it suits writers and researchers.

Side by side

	Getting Things Done	How to Take Smart Notes
Score	88.5	90.5
Rank in list	#3 of 10	#2 of 10
Price	PaidPrint editions from Penguin; price varies by seller	PaidPrint edition; free first chapter and appendix PDFs on the author's site
Free to use	No	No
Formats	Print	Print
Author	David Allen	Sönke Ahrens
Level	Beginner to intermediate	Intermediate
Free to read online	No	No
Main focus	Capturing and organizing commitments into next actions	Linked notes and writing from research
Best for	Capturing and organizing tasks	Zettelkasten notes and research writing
Strengths	Concrete capture and review workflow Focus on next actions for tasks Author offers courses and coaching	Clear method for linking and writing notes Revised and expanded second edition from 2022 Free first chapter and appendix PDFs
Limits	Says little about goals or deep focus Setup takes effort before the system helps	The method takes practice to set up Not a task or project management tool
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Getting Things Done vs How to Take Smart Notes

Is How to Take Smart Notes better than Getting Things Done?: How to Take Smart Notes ranks higher in our list of productivity and note-taking books (#2 against #3, score 90.5 against 88.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Getting Things Done is best for: capturing and organizing tasks. How to Take Smart Notes is best for: Zettelkasten notes and research writing.
Which is cheaper, Getting Things Done or How to Take Smart Notes?: Getting Things Done: Print editions from Penguin; price varies by seller. How to Take Smart Notes: Print edition; free first chapter and appendix PDFs on the author's site.