Notion vs xTiles: Ultimate Brainstorming Tools Showdown in 2025

by | Last updated Apr 30, 2025

Winner
notion
9.0
  • Notion AI
  • Goal Tracker
  • Meeting Notes
  • Notion Calendar
  • Document Hub
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plan Starts at $10/month
Runner Up
xtiles
8.0
  • Popular Templates
  • Project Planner
  • Marketing Agency
  • Student Workspace
  • Freelancer Dashboard
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $5.75/month
Fahim AI 5 1 6

Ever feel like your ideas are scattered? 

Do you have a million thoughts but no way to organize them?

Keeping track of projects and brainstorming can be a total mess, right?

You need a tool that helps you see the big picture.

That’s where Notion vs xTiles come in.

Let’s dive in and see which tool can help you turn chaos into clarity.

Overview

To give you the best comparison, we’ve spent weeks using both Notion and xTiles.

We tested them for brainstorming, project planning, and daily tasks.

This hands-on experience lets us show you real differences, not just features on a list.

Notion Logo

Over 10 million users have streamlined their workflows with Notion.

9out of 10

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $15/month.

Key Features:

  • Databases
  • Templates
  • Collaboration
xTiles CTA

Ready to ditch scattered notes? Start your free trial today!

8out of 10

Pricing: It has a free plan. The paid plan starts at $5.75/month

Key Features:

  • Visual Tile-Based Organization
  • Simple Drag-and-Drop Interface
  • Real-Time Collaboration

What is Notion?

Think of Notion as your digital workspace.

It’s like a bunch of apps rolled into one. You can take notes. Build databases. Manage projects. It’s pretty versatile.

Notion Logo
Notion
9.0

Over 10 million users have streamlined their workflows with Notion. Ready to join them? Click here to explore!

Key Benefits

  • Over 10,000+ templates to get you started.
  • Seamless collaboration with teams of any size.
  • Customizable databases to fit any workflow.
  • Connects 50+ apps to keep your workflow smooth.

Pricing

  • Free: Great for individuals.
  • Plus: $10/month
  • Business Plan: $15/month
  • Enterprise Plan: Contact us for custom pricing.
Notion Pricing

Pros

  • It’s very customizable.
  • Many integrations are available.
  • Templates save tons of time.
  • Collaboration is easy and fluid.
  • Databases are extremely powerful.

Cons

  • Learning curve can be steep.
  • Mobile app can be slow.
  • Too many features can overwhelm.
  • Offline mode has limited functionality.

What is xTiles?

xTiles is a visual workspace.

Think of it like a digital whiteboard.

You can organize ideas with tiles.

These tiles hold notes, links, and images. It’s great for brainstorming and planning.

xTiles CTA
xTiles
8.0

Ready to ditch scattered notes? Start your free trial today!

Key Benefits

  • 100% Visual Organization: Easily arrange ideas and projects visually.
  • 5+ Tile Types: Use different tiles for diverse content.
  • 3+ Collaboration Options: Share and work with your team in real-time.
  • 2+ Integrations: Connect with other tools you use.

Pricing

xTiles has a free plan. The paid plan is $10 per month. This plan gives you unlimited tiles and more collaboration features.

  • Free: $0
  • Starter: $5.75/month
  • Plus: $8.25/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.

Feature Comparison

Let’s break down the key features of Notion and xTiles.

We’ll look at how they stack up. 

This will help you decide which tool fits your needs best.

Visual Organization & Drag-and-Drop

xTiles shines with its visual, drag-and-drop interface.

It’s built for visual thinkers. You can easily arrange tiles with your ideas. 

Notion offers more structured databases. It is more flexible but less visually immediate.

Notion

Database & Note-Taking

Notion is powerful for database management and detailed note-taking.

You can create complex databases and link pages.

xTiles keeps it simple. It’s more focused on visual notes and less on database management.

Task Management & Project Management

Both tools offer task management.

Notion is better for complex project management because of its robust databases and views.

xTiles is good for simpler tasks and visual overviews.

You can use a Kanban board in both.

Calendar Integration & Google Calendar

Notion offers calendar integration and can sync with Google Calendar.

This is great for time management.

xTiles has limited calendar features. This is a key difference in their use case.

Integrate & Google Docs

Notion lets you integrate with many tools, including Google Docs.

This makes it an all-in-one productivity tool. xTiles has fewer integrations. 

This is a point to consider if you use Notion as a central hub.

Customization Options & Content Creation

Notion has extensive customization options.

You can build custom workflows and dashboards. This is ideal for detailed content creation. 

xTiles has less customization. It focuses on ease of use.

If you are looking for a notion alternative, xTiles will be less customizable.

xTiles Personal Experience

Collaboration and Sharing

Notion offers detailed sharing and permission settings.

You can control who sees and edits what. This is great for team projects.

xTiles also has collaboration, but it’s simpler.

You can share boards and work together in real time. This is useful for smaller teams or visual brainstorming.

What to Look For When Choosing a Brainstorming Tool?

  • Consider your primary use case: Personal knowledge, team projects, or a mix?
  • Evaluate the learning curve against your time commitment.
  • Prioritize essential integrations for your workflow.
  • Assess mobile app functionality for on-the-go access.
  • Think about scaling: Will the tool grow with your needs?

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

So, which one wins?

It depends on what you need.

If you want powerful databases and tons of features, Notion is your pick.

It’s great for complex projects.

But, if you like visual planning and easy brainstorming, xTiles is awesome.

It’s simple and fun to use.

We tested both a lot. For most people, xTiles is easier to jump into. 

But, if you need everything in one place, use Notion.

We’ve used both for weeks and that’s why you can trust our opinion.

More of Notion

Let’s see how Notion stacks up against these other workspace apps:

  • Notion vs ClickUp: Notion is a more flexible all-in-one workspace. ClickUp is primarily focused on project management with strong productivity features.
  • Notion vs Anytype: Notion is cloud-based with collaboration features. Anytype is local-first, emphasizing privacy and interconnected personal knowledge.
  • Notion vs Coda: Notion offers a wide range of block types for creating diverse pages. Coda focuses on building documents that function like apps with interactive elements.
  • Notion vs Capacities: Notion uses blocks to build pages. Capacities connects ideas through objects and links in a more visual graph-like way.
  • Notion vs Craft: Notion is a versatile workspace. Craft focuses on creating beautifully designed documents with strong linking and collaboration.
  • Notion vs AFFiNE pro: Notion is cloud-based. AFFiNE pro is local-first and aims to combine documents, whiteboards, and databases in one app.
  • Notion vs Obsidian: Notion is a cloud-based workspace with rich formatting. Obsidian is local-first, using linked plain text Markdown files for a personal knowledge graph.

More of XTiles

Let’s see how XTiles stacks up against these other workspace and note-taking apps:

  • XTiles vs Anytype: Both XTiles and Anytype prioritize local-first storage and connecting different types of information privately.
  • XTiles vs ClickUp: XTiles helps you manage your own notes and tasks privately. ClickUp is a project management tool for teams with note-taking features.
  • XTiles vs Coda: XTiles offers a private space to organize notes and tasks. Coda lets you build flexible documents that can act like mini-apps for various purposes.
  • XTiles vs Capacities: XTiles focuses on private organization of notes and tasks. Capacities helps you connect ideas visually through objects and links.
  • XTiles vs Craft: XTiles helps you manage your notes and tasks privately. Craft focuses on creating beautifully designed and linked documents.
  • XTiles vs AFFiNE pro: Both XTiles and AFFiNE pro aim for private, local-first organization of notes and tasks with interconnectedness. AFFiNE pro also offers block-based editing.
  • XTiles vs Obsidian: Both XTiles and Obsidian emphasize local-first storage and connecting your thoughts. Obsidian uses plain text Markdown files with a strong plugin community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is xTiles a good Notion alternative?

Yes, xTiles is a good Notion alternative if you prefer visual planning. It’s simpler and focuses on visual organization. If you don’t need complex databases, xTiles is a great choice. It’s easy to learn and use.

Can I integrate Google Calendar with xTiles?

Currently, xTiles has limited calendar integration. It does not directly integrate with Google Calendar. Notion offers better calendar features. If you need calendar sync, Notion is the better option.

Which is better for task management, Notion or xTiles?

Notion is generally better for complex task management. It offers robust databases and views. xTiles is good for simple tasks and visual overviews. Choose Notion for detailed project management. Choose xTiles for quick, visual task planning.

What are the main customization options in Notion?

Notion offers extensive customization options. You can build custom databases, dashboards, and workflows. It’s highly flexible. You can create unique setups for any project or task. xTiles has fewer customization features.

Is xTiles good for note-taking?

xTiles is good for visual note-taking. You can create notes as tiles and arrange them visually. It’s great for brainstorming and quick note capturing. For detailed, linked notes, Notion is more powerful.