10 Best Notion Alternatives & Competitors (Features & Pricing)

Looking for a Notion alternative? 

While Notion is packed with features, it's not a perfect fit for everyone. Some users find it slow. Others need offline access. A few just want something simpler.

In fact, according to a Reddit survey from late 2023, over 40% of Notion users said they were actively testing other productivity tools.

Why? Because one size doesn’t fit all.

Some people want a tool that loads faster. Others need better collaboration. A few want no learning curve at all. And businesses? They often need strict privacy, advanced permissions, or more automation.

There’s no shortage of options out there. From Venturz to ClickUp, Obsidian to Trello, there are tools built for different styles, workflows, and budgets.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best Notion alternatives. We'll see what they cost, what features they offer.

Let’s break it down.

Notion starts to lag when you use it heavily.

Many users have shared that once they add too many pages, tables, or embeds, the app slows down — especially on mobile or in areas with poor internet.

“Even switching between pages can feel sluggish. It’s not ideal if I’m in a rush.” — User comment from Reddit

A survey shared in a Reddit thread showed that over 30% of respondents listed performance issues as a top reason for trying other tools.

Notion doesn’t work properly without an internet connection.

While some content is viewable offline, editing is limited. Updates don’t sync until you’re online again.

For people who travel or work in low-connectivity areas, this becomes a problem. A few posts mention frustration when trying to take notes or update plans on a plane or train.

If all you want to do is track your to-dos or take quick notes, Notion might feel too heavy.

It has blocks, databases, templates, filters, and views — and while powerful, this can overwhelm new users.

“I just wanted a checklist. Spent an hour figuring out how to make one.” — Comment from r/Notion

In a 2024 feedback thread, around 40% of newer users said they found Notion confusing at first.

Some users want more control and automation in their workspaces.

But Notion doesn’t support things like:

One user tried building a daily journal that summarizes itself weekly, but said Notion couldn't pull content between pages the way they needed.

This kind of limitation can stop power users from building the systems they want.

Notion allows sharing and collaboration, but the permission system is basic.

You can’t create layered permissions easily. Some teams need settings like:

These features are often discussed as missing in Reddit feedback threads by users working in teams.

Everything in Notion is stored online.

There’s no way to keep your workspace entirely local. Some users have concerns about privacy or just want full control over where their notes are stored.

I want my journal and client notes saved on my device — not on someone else’s server.” — User feedback from r/Notion.

Not every tool will check every box. But knowing what to look for can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Let’s break it down into simple points that actually matter.

If a tool takes hours to figure out, most people give up.

In a 2023 user survey by TechRadar, 48% of users said they quit using a tool within the first week if it was too hard to set up.

Look for something that feels simple from day one. You shouldn’t need tutorials just to make a to-do list or set up a project.

Short menus. Clear layouts. Quick actions. These small things make a big difference.

Not everyone has Wi-Fi all the time.

Whether you’re flying, on a train, or just in a low-signal area, your notes and tasks should still be available — and editable.

Offline support lets you work without stressing about your internet connection. If you write, travel, or do deep thinking away from the web, this feature becomes essential.

Nobody wants to wait for pages to load.

This is one of the biggest complaints about Notion. A good alternative should feel fast — with smooth switching between pages, instant search results, and zero lag, even with big files.

Try loading a few documents and switching tabs. If the app hesitates, that’s a red flag.

Everyone works differently.

Some people love simple checklists. Others want tables, timelines, or kanban boards. A good tool should let you switch between views easily.

Example: A student might need a calendar to track deadlines, while a writer just wants a blank space to draft chapters.

The more layout options you have, the better you can shape it around your work.

Once your workspace grows, it gets harder to find things.

Good search tools save time. Filters, tags, and folders help too. Look for a system that makes it easy to sort, group, and jump between pages fast.

A recent user review on Reddit mentioned that one of the reasons they switched was because it took 30+ seconds to find an old page in Notion. That adds up over time.

If you’re working with a team, sharing and editing should be smooth.

Look for features like:

You don’t want accidental edits or missing files. And if someone joins your team, they should be able to understand the setup quickly.

This matters more than people think.

Some users want cloud sync. Others prefer local storage. Some want encryption or backup options. The more control you have over your data, the safer your work feels.

If the app stores everything online, check how it protects your data and what rights you have over it.

Venturz is a modern Notion alternative designed for users who want to build, manage, and grow their ideas in one unified platform. While Notion is known for its flexible documents and databases, Venturz goes a step further by combining notes, tasks, CRM, landing pages, memberships, and even community features—all in one place.

This makes it especially useful for founders, marketers, and creators who are tired of juggling 4–5 different apps. With Venturz, you can manage projects, write content, launch funnels, engage with your audience, and track performance—all without leaving the platform.

What sets Venturz apart from other tools like Notion is its built-in business layer. From lead capture to nurturing to monetization—it’s not just a knowledge base, it’s a workspace that works with your business, not just for it.

Venturz offers a free trial with full access to core features. Paid plans start at $29/month, covering email tools, landing pages, CRM, automation, and community features—all bundled. There are no hidden upsells or add-ons, making pricing straightforward and scalable as you grow.

ClickUp is one of the most popular Notion alternatives, especially for teams looking to connect tasks, docs, and discussions in a single workspace. While Notion focuses heavily on notes and databases, ClickUp leans more toward productivity and project execution. It includes features like task boards, document editors, whiteboards, and built-in AI tools—all under one roof.

What makes it different from other tools like Notion is how it connects notes directly to actions. You can take meeting notes and turn them into tasks, or use whiteboards for brainstorming and link them to projects in real time.

That said, ClickUp does a lot. And that can feel like too much for someone who’s just looking for a clean note-taking tool.

ClickUp has a free forever plan that includes unlimited tasks and users, ideal for personal use or small teams. Paid plans start at $7/month per user for the Unlimited plan, which unlocks advanced features like timelines, integrations, and more storage. Business and Enterprise plans offer deeper automation, dashboards, and AI tools.

Trello is often viewed as a lightweight Notion alternative for users who prioritize task management over document-heavy workspaces. It uses a Kanban-style system, where cards represent tasks, and boards represent projects or workflows. Trello is a go-to tool for personal planning, simple team projects, and visual thinkers.

While Trello isn’t a direct replacement for Notion’s powerful database or documentation features, it serves users who want a clean and visual way to organize to-do lists, goals, and collaborative work. It’s used by freelancers, marketing teams, educators, and startups that need an easy way to manage tasks.

Trello is also known for its Power-Ups—mini apps that add features like calendars, voting, automation, and integrations with Google Drive, Slack, and more. Still, if you’re looking for deep note-taking or writing features, Trello might feel limited.

Pros:

Cons:

Trello offers a free plan with unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per workspace. Paid plans begin at $5/month per user (Standard), with Premium at $10/month per user unlocking calendar views, dashboards, and more automation rules. Enterprise pricing depends on team size and requirements.

Airtable is one of the most flexible tools like Notion, especially for users who prefer working with spreadsheets and structured data. It combines a database's power with the simplicity of a spreadsheet, making it a strong Notion alternative for teams managing content calendars, CRM systems, product planning, and more.

Unlike Notion, which blends documents with databases, Airtable focuses more on data structure and collaboration around records. Users can switch between views—like grid, calendar, Kanban, gallery, and timeline—without affecting the core data.

It’s widely used by content teams, marketers, product managers, and operations teams who want structure and visibility without using traditional project management tools.

Cons:

Airtable has a free plan with unlimited bases and up to 1,000 records per base. Paid plans start at $20/month per user (Plus) and go up to $45/month per user (Pro), offering additional views, advanced automations, increased storage, and priority support. Enterprise pricing is available for large teams with custom needs.

Coda positions itself as a powerful Notion alternative for teams who want more than just a document editor. It blends documents, spreadsheets, and automation into a single space. What sets Coda apart from other tools like Notion is its use of interactive tables, formulas, and integrations—all inside a doc.

You can write meeting notes, build databases, track goals, and automate workflows—all from one file. Coda is popular among operations teams, product managers, and growing startups that want flexibility but also need structure.

However, the tool has a learning curve. Many users say it takes time to get used to how blocks, buttons, and formulas interact.

Pros:

Coda offers a free plan with basic features and limited doc sizes. Paid plans start at $10/month per Doc Maker for the Pro tier, and $30/month per Doc Maker for the Team plan, which includes Packs, advanced sharing, and expanded automation. Enterprise pricing is available upon request.

Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook that's part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It’s often seen as a reliable Notion alternative for users who want a more traditional note-taking experience. Instead of blocks and databases, OneNote mimics real notebooks—divided into sections and pages—where you can freely type, draw, or record.

It works across devices and is deeply integrated with other Microsoft tools like Outlook, Teams, and Word. This makes it a good fit for students, educators, and corporate users who are already using the Microsoft ecosystem.

However, compared to tools like Notion, OneNote doesn’t offer databases, advanced task management, or workflow automation. Its strength lies in basic note capture—especially when using a stylus or voice input.

Microsoft OneNote is free as a standalone app with basic features. Full access comes with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Pricing starts at $6.99/month for personal use and $6/month per user for business users under the Business Basic plan. All plans include OneNote along with Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Evernote is one of the original note-taking apps and remains a popular Notion alternative for people who want a focused, distraction-free place to collect thoughts, tasks, and documents. While Notion aims to combine documents, databases, and collaboration, Evernote is built more for fast capturing and organizing information—whether it’s typed notes, images, voice memos, or PDFs.

It’s widely used by writers, researchers, students, and professionals who prefer structured notebooks over freeform workspaces. One of its standout features is its multi-format support and AI-powered search, making it easy to retrieve even old or buried notes.

However, compared to tools like Notion, Evernote has fewer options for real-time collaboration, automation, and custom workflows.

Evernote offers a free plan with limited uploads and basic note features. Paid plans start at $10.83/month (Personal) and go up to $14.17/month (Professional), with the Teams plan starting at $20.83/month per user. Advanced features like integrations, AI search, and more storage come with the paid plans.

Taskade is a modern Notion alternative that blends note-taking, task management, and AI automation into one real-time workspace. It’s built for teams that want more than just documents—offering everything from visual task boards and mind maps to AI agents that help plan, summarize, and organize your work.

Where Notion focuses on wikis and databases, Taskade leans into automation and structure. It supports real-time collaboration across devices, integrates video chat, and allows users to create and deploy AI agents trained for specific tasks like research, planning, or support.

With its flexible workspace setup, Taskade is often used by marketing teams, project managers, solopreneurs, and remote-first startups that want speed and structure without juggling multiple apps.

Taskade offers a free plan with access to basic features and unlimited collaborators. Paid plans start at $8/month per user, unlocking advanced AI automation, additional project views, workspace permissions, and priority support. Custom enterprise pricing is available for large teams and organizations.

Anytype is a privacy-focused Notion alternative designed for users who value control, decentralization, and offline functionality. It’s built around a local-first model, meaning all your data is stored and encrypted on your device—not in the cloud. This gives users full autonomy over their content without relying on servers or third parties.

Unlike most tools like Notion that operate through central servers, Anytype uses peer-to-peer sync and open protocols. It combines documents, tasks, templates, and databases into a block-based system, allowing users to create wikis, planners, and personal systems that work offline and sync securely.

It's popular with privacy-conscious creators, digital minimalists, and those seeking tools they can fully own and self-host.

Anytype is currently in free early access. The platform is being developed by a Swiss-based non-profit and plans to remain free for individual use. There is no formal pricing yet for premium or team features, though future options may be introduced as development continues.

AppFlowy is a secure, local-first alternative to Notion. It’s built for users who want flexibility, ownership of their data, and the ability to self-host. While tools like Notion store data in the cloud, AppFlowy lets users run the workspace on their own device, with optional syncing and no vendor lock-in.

It supports collaborative editing, project tracking, document creation, and now includes AI tools for writing, brainstorming, and autofill—right inside the editor. Unlike many tools like Notion, AppFlowy gives users full access to the codebase, making it possible to modify, extend, or fully customize the platform.

It’s popular with developers, tech-savvy teams, and privacy-conscious users looking for more control over their workflows and data.

AppFlowy is completely free and open-source. There are no paid tiers yet, and users can self-host or use it locally without restrictions. All features, including AI and collaboration tools, are available to everyone. Future updates may introduce optional paid add-ons, but core use remains free.

You’re here because you’re exploring Notion alternatives—and that already means you’re thinking bigger about how you work.

Some tools help you take notes. Others help you manage projects. A few combine everything into one space. The right fit depends on what you need day-to-day, and what you don’t want to keep switching tabs for.

If you're looking for something that brings your docs, tasks, marketing, community, and growth tools under one roof, Venturz is built exactly for that. Give it a spin—you might just find it's everything you've been jumping between apps to get done.