Notion
Hosted workspace for notes, databases and project pages
- #2 of 12 in best note-taking apps
- Free plan, paid upgrades
- Free to use
- WebmacOSWindowsiOSAndroid
Ranked 2 of 12 in best note-taking apps
The strongest hosted workspace here, with pages, databases and team sharing in one place. Notes live on Notion's servers, and paid plans charge per member, unlike the local tools above.
Best for Team workspaces with notes, databases and tasks
About Notion
Notion stores pages and databases on Notion's servers, so the same notes appear on every signed-in device without a manual sync step. Pages can mix text, tables, to-do checkboxes and uploaded files, and databases add custom properties and views for tracking projects or tasks. Notion runs in a browser and as desktop and mobile apps.
Notes live on Notion's servers rather than in local files, which makes it a weaker fit for people who want plain-text copies of everything. The free plan covers individual use, and paid plans charge per member for team features. Notion suits people who want one shared workspace for notes, tasks and databases.
Key features
- Databases with custom properties
- Shared pages and workspaces
- Web, desktop and mobile apps
- Notion Calendar companion app
Strengths
- Pages, databases and tasks share one workspace
- Free plan covers personal use
Limits
- Notes are stored on Notion's servers
- Paid plans are priced per member
Where Notion ranks
How Notion compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Notes stored | Shared editing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 Obsidian | 93.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid | Local Markdown files | Yes |
| #2Notion | 90.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebmacOSWindowsiOSAndroid | Notion's servers | Yes |
#3 Microsoft OneNote | 88.5 | Free | WindowsmacOSiOS, iPadOSAndroidWeb | Microsoft cloud | Yes |
#4 Joplin | 87.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSCommand line | Local, optional sync | Yes |
#5 Apple Notes | 85.5 | Free | macOSiOS, iPadOS | Apple devices, optional iCloud | Yes |
The full comparison table for best note-taking apps has all 12 products.
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Questions about Notion
- Is Notion free?
- Notion can be used without paying: Free plan for individuals; paid plans charge per member. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Notion open source?
- No. Notion is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Notion support?
- Notion is available on: Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
- What is Notion best for?
- Team workspaces with notes, databases and tasks. In our ranking of note-taking apps it is number 2 of 12 with a score of 90.5.
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Articles that mention Notion
All articles- Guides · 4 min readHow to choose a note-taking app: storage, sharing and priceChoose a note-taking app by where notes are stored, how sharing works, platform reach and price. Compare Obsidian, Notion, Joplin and other top picks.
- Guides · 4 min readHow to choose project management software for your teamChoose project management software by how pricing scales, how much planning you need and whether to self-host. Compare Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Trello and more.
- Comparisons · 6 min readNotion vs Obsidian: Which Note-Taking App Fits You?Notion keeps pages on its servers for shared work, while Obsidian keeps Markdown files on your device. Compare pricing, platforms, sync and data control.