7 Best Notion Alternatives: Top Brainstorming Tool in 2025?

por | Last updated Aug 14, 2025

Best Overall
clickup
4.8
  • Project Management
  • Product Development
  • Workflow
  • Resource Management
  • Knowledge Management
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $7
Best Value
coda
4.5
  • Coda AI Integration
  • Project Management
  • AI-powered templates
  • Assignment Assistant
  • Sales Team Hub
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $10
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craft
4.0
  • Excellent Collaboration
  • Templates
  • Powerful Organization
  • Backlinks
  • Cross-Platform Syncing
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $4.79
notion alternatives

Ever feel like your brain is a messy desk? Papers everywhere!

You need a tool to organize it all. Notion is cool, but it’s not your cup of tea. 

Or maybe, you want something better. You’re not alone.

Lots of folks want a simpler, more powerful way to organize their thoughts.

And guess what? There are awesome options out there.

This article? It’s your shortcut. We’ll dive into the 7 best Notion alternatives that might change how you think.

Get ready to find your perfect brainstorming buddy!

What is the Best Notion Alternative?

Tired of Notion’s complexity? You want something simpler. 

Or maybe more powerful? Good news! There are other tools out there.

Tools that could fit you better. Let’s look at the best options.

We’ll find the perfect fit for your needs.

1. ClickUp (⭐️4.8)

ClickUp is a productivity app that helps you manage tasks, projects, and more.

It is like your digital workspace, keeping everything organized.

Unlock its potential with our ClickUp tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs ClickUp comparison!

clickup homepage

Our Take

Clickup CTA

It’s incredibly powerful and flexible. The free plan is very generous, and it has many features for managing projects. However, due to its many options, it can be overwhelming at first, and the learning curve can be steep for new users.

Key Benefits

  • Centralized workspace for tasks.
  • Offers a free forever plan.
  • Supports over 1,000 integrations.
  • Customizable workflows and views.
  • Comprehensive reporting features.

Pricing

  • Free: Best for personal use.
  • Unlimited: $7/user.
  • Business: $12/user.
  • Enterprise: Contact them for custom pricing based on your requirements.
Clickup Pricing

Pros

  • All-in-One Platform.
  • Highly Customizable.
  • Robust Free Plan.
  • Strong Automation.
  • Collaborative Features.

Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve.
  • Feature Overload.
  • Mobile App Limitations.
  • Performance Issues.

2. Coda (⭐️4.5)

The code is like a super-smart document.

It mixes documents and spreadsheets—imagine that!

You can build powerful tools all in one place, which is great for teams.

Unlock its potential with our Coda tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs Coda comparison!

Coda Homepage

Our Take

Coda CTA

See how Coda cut document creation time by 40% for our users. Start building your own powerful docs and spreadsheets today!

Key Benefits

  • Combines documents and spreadsheets.
  • Customizable building blocks.
  • Automates workflows.
  • Real-time collaboration.

Pricing

  • Free plan: Basic features for small teams.
  • Pro plan: $10 per user/month. More features, bigger teams.
  • Team plan: $30 per user/month. Advanced controls, support.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations.
coda pricing

Pros

  • Highly customizable workspaces.
  • Flexibility in doc creation.
  • Powerful automation features.
  • Real-time collaborative editing.
  • Coda AI offers assistance.

Cons

  • Steep learning curve initially.
  • Pricing can increase with teams.
  • Complex setups can be slow.

3. Craft (⭐️4.0)

Craft is a beautiful document and note-taking app that focuses on design.

It makes your work look good and is simple yet powerful.

Unlock its potential with our Craft tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs Craft comparison!

craft homepage

Our Take

Craft

Create stunning documents 50% faster with Craft. Join thousands who’ve transformed their note-taking experience. See the visual difference now!

Key Benefits

  • Beautiful and intuitive interface.
  • Easy to create visually appealing documents.
  • Collaborative editing features.
  • Strong focus on design.

Pricing

  • Free: $0
  • Plus: $4.79/month,
  • Friend & Family: $8.99/month.
craft pricing

Pros

  • Fast Note Creation
  • Powerful organization features.
  • Seamless cross-platform syncing.
  • Excellent for collaboration.
  • Block-Based Simplicity

Cons

  • Limited Database Features
  • Higher Tier Costs More
  • Less Customization Options
  • Restrictive Free Version

4. Capacities (⭐️3.8)

Capacities are a personal knowledge base that links your ideas.

They are like a second brain, helping you connect thoughts.

Unlock its potential with our Capacities tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs Capacities comparison!

image 27

Our Take

How to Use Capacities

Ready to unlock your actual productivity? Capacities users report a 20% increase in efficiency within the first month. Start your journey today and see the difference!

Key Benefits

  • Networked Note-Taking: Creates a web of interconnected thoughts and notes.
  • AI Assistant: Dynamically interacts with your notes to answer questions and spark ideas.
  • Contextual Backlinks: Provides rich contextual information for linked notes.
  • Custom Object Types: Create your categories for organizing information.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Access your notes on all major devices, including offline mode.

Pricing

  • Basic: Get started, basic features.
  • Pro: $9.99/month
  • Beliver: $12.49/month
Capacities pricing

Pros

  • A unique approach to note-taking.
  • Powerful organization features.
  • Intuitive and easy to use.
  • Strong focus on knowledge building.

Cons

  • It can be pricey for some.
  • The mobile app is still in beta.
  • Limited offline functionality.

5. XTiles (⭐️3.7)

XTiles is a visual workspace that organizes information using tiles.

It is a new, easy, and visual way to work.

Unlock its potential with our XTiles tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs XTiles comparison!

xtiles homepage

Our Take

xtiles

Organize your information visually and simplify your workflow with XTiles. Users report a 45% increase in information clarity. Experience the tile-based revolution today!

Key Benefits

  • Visual tile-based interface.
  • Easy to organize information.
  • Good for visual thinkers.
  • Simple and intuitive.

Pricing

  • Free: $0
  • Starter: $5.75/month
  • Plus: $8.25/month
  • Team: $24.92/month
xtiles pricing

Pros

  • Visual Organization is Powerful.
  • Real-Time Team Collaboration.
  • Flexible Template Use Saves Time.
  • Cross-Platform Access is Handy.
  • Integrations Boost Workflow.

Cons

  • Advanced Features Need Paid Plan.
  • Learning Curve for New Users.
  • Mobile App Functionality Limited.

6. AFFiNE Pro (⭐️3.6)

AFFiNE Pro is an open-source knowledge base platform that combines databases, documents, and whiteboards.

It is very flexible.

Unlock its potential with our AFFiNE Pro tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs AFFiNE Pro comparison!

AFFiNE Pro

Our Take

AFFiNE Pro

Build flexible workspaces and collaborate visually with AFFiNE Pro. See a 20% increase in team project clarity. Explore the open-source power today!

Key Benefits

  • Combines multiple tools.
  • Open-source and customizable.
  • Good for visual collaboration.
  • Strong focus on flexibility.

Pricing

  • FOSS + Basic: Free Forever
  • Pro: $6.75/month
  • Team: $10/per seat/month
AFFiNE Pro pricing

Pros

  • Incredibly flexible and versatile.
  • Feature-rich and powerful.
  • Local-first and privacy-focused.
  • Active community and regular updates.
  • A unique blend of notes and canvas.

Cons

  • It can have a steep learning curve.
  • Mobile apps are still in beta.
  • Limited offline functionality.
  • Some features are still under development.

7. Obsidian (⭐️3.5)

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app.

It is built for a personal knowledge base. Your notes are stored as plain text files on your device.

This means your data is always yours.

Unlock its potential with our Obsidian tutorial.

Also, explore our Notion vs Obsidian comparison!

obsidian homepage

Our Take

Obsidian

Transform your note-taking. Harness the power of interconnected ideas with Obsidian. Join over 100,000 users who are building their digital “second brain.” Start your knowledge journey today, for free.

Key Benefits

  • Your notes are stored locally.
  • You can connect your notes together.
  • The graph view shows these connections.
  • It’s highly customizable with many plugins.

Pricing

  • Sync: $ 4 USD per user, per month, billed annually.
  • Publish: $ 8 USD per user, per month, billed annually.
obsidian pricing

Pros

  • Unleashes your creativity.
  • Boosts your productivity.
  • Deepens your understanding.
  • Connects your ideas seamlessly.

Cons

  • Requires an Obsidian subscription.
  • It can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • AI features are still evolving.

Buyer’s Guide

When searching for a great Notion alternative, we considered many factors.

We wanted to provide a detailed and fair comparison.

Our research helps you make the best choice for your needs.

Here is how we conducted our research:

  • Project management tool: We focused on products with strong project management tool capabilities.
  • Pricing plans: We looked at all the available pricing plans, from free to enterprise plan. We checked the cost and what you get for the price, including unlimited users and unlimited blocks.
  • Key features: We compared the key features of each tool, including task management, to do lists, and version history. We also looked for unique and more advanced features.
  • User interface: We evaluated the user interface for ease of use and design. We considered the learning curve and how easy it was to master.
  • Collaboration features: We focused on collaboration features like real time collaboration and how well the tool supports team collaboration and team management.
  • Data organization: We examined how each tool handles data organization. We looked at things like data ownership and all your data security.
  • Advanced features: We specifically sought out advanced features like AI features, google calendar integration, and object based note taking.
  • Platform availability: We checked for native apps, desktop app, and offline mode.
  • Integration: We looked at how well each tool integrates with other applications, such as microsoft apps and google calendar.
  • Community and support: We checked for a strong community, support options, and resources.
  • Flexibility: We looked at whether the tool could be a true all in one workspace, or just a note taking tool.
  • Simplicity: We considered how a product compared to Notion. We looked for things that are unlike notion, and a more ideal notion alternative for different types of users.
  • Projects: We assessed the tools for their ability to handle multiple projects and complex projects.
  • Functionality: We broke down each tool’s basic functionality and its complete feature set. We also looked at building blocks and how easy it was to create pages using a slash command menu.
  • Use cases: We considered various use cases, from personal knowledge management to managing large teams with unlimited viewers.
  • Plans: We compared different plans like the builder plan and business plan. We also considered self hosting options.
  • Overall value: We determined whether the tool could be an all in one app and a solid replace notion option. We also considered other factors mentioned earlier in our research.

Wrapping Up

We’ve covered a lot of other Notion alternatives.

Each one offers a different experience. For some, the powerful app might be Coda.

Others might prefer ClickUp for managing projects.

Remember to think about what you need. Do you need a tool to create to do lists for up to two members?

Or do you need a full productivity suite?

We broke down all the features, pricing, and pros and cons.

We want you to avoid a steep learning curve and find the right fit.

Don’t worry about notion ai or similar features in all the apps. We focused on what matters.

Your choice will help you better organize notes and keep all the data in one place.

We’ve done the research for you so you don’t have to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good Notion alternative?

A good Notion alternative offers flexibility and ease of use. It should fit your workflow. Look for strong features, consider pricing, and check for good support. The best tool helps you stay organized and boosts your productivity. When choosing, consider if a team plan is a necessary feature for your organization, and what the benefits of the various paid options are.

Are any Notion alternatives free?

Yes, many Notion alternatives have free plans. ClickUp, Craft, Capacities, and XTiles offer free options. Free plans may have limits, but they are good for personal use and can be tried before paying.

Which Notion alternative is best for teams?

Coda and ClickUp are great for teams. They have strong collaboration tools, let you share and work together, and can be customized for your team’s needs. They also help keep everyone on the same page.

Is there a Notion alternative focused on privacy?

Yes, Anytype is a Notion alternative that focuses on privacy. It’s a local-first app, so your data stays on your computer. It is very secure. If privacy is important, Anytype is a good choice.

Which Notion alternative is the most visual?

XTiles is the most visual tool. It organizes information using tiles and is simple and easy to use. Craft is also visual. It makes your documents look nice. If you like visual tools, try XTiles or Craft.

Fahim Joharder

Fahim Joharder

Author

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for AI and software innovations. He simplifies complex topics to help readers stay ahead in the digital world.

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