The 10 Best Notion Alternatives 2024

Whether it's a full-blown knowledge hub or a tool for meeting notes, Notion’s flexibility means no two companies—or freelancers like me—use it the same way.

Lately, though, I have run into roadblocks with Notion. I noticed pages loading slowly, the interface becoming clunky with too many features, and images not appearing.

A quick look at Reddit showed I’m not alone—thousands of users share similar frustrations. One summed it up perfectly: “I loved Notion. It managed every part of my life until it didn’t. I’ve had to split up the many things Notion did onto different platforms. It’s expensive, but at least they always work.”

With Notion rolling out features like Mail, Forms, and Marketplace and acquiring companies left and right, you can’t help but wonder if it has lost sight of its core purpose.

If you’ve been on the hunt for a good alternative to Notion, we feel you. Researching for this guide took us hours of shortlisting over 100 tools and then manually testing 20 of them. There’s some promising tools that have built on Notion’s fallbacks. Let’s look at them.

Exploring the Best Notion Alternatives

The best Notion alternative for you depends on this question

Why are you moving away from Notion in the first place?

Sick of Notion’s slow speed? There’s a Notion alternative for that.

Want more features at cost-effective rates? There’s a Notion alternative for that.

Want a more solid project management architecture with advanced features like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and calendar integration? There’s a different Notion alternative for that.

With many Notion alternatives now available, users have a variety of options to choose from for managing their tasks and notes.

Why You Might Need a Notion Alternative

While Notion is an excellent tool, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone. Some users may find its interface overwhelming, while others may require more advanced features for complex projects. Additionally, Notion’s pricing structure and limitations on its free plan may not be suitable for all users. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to consider a Notion alternative. In this article, we’ll help you find the best alternative to Notion, whether you’re looking for a project management tool, a task management app, or a knowledge management platform.

Our criteria for evaluation

We personally tested every tool, went through their G2/Reddit reviews to get a customer sentiment, and broadly judged the following criteria:

1. Daily driver worthiness: Many all-in-tools sacrifice user-friendliness for an extensive feature set. It overwhelms first-time users, especially non-tech-savvy folks, discouraging them from using the tool as a daily driver every day.
2. AI: Following the AI boom, SaaS apps are adding AI features to simplify basic tasks like summarisation, organization, etc. These features are highly time-saving, and help employees work more efficiently on grunt work.
3. Stand-out features: Every tool has a focus area where it shines, and maybe it’s a game-changer for you! 
4. Pricing: Notion is one of those tools that accounts for 100% of the team members. This is why scaling Notion becomes pricey for mid-size to larger organizations. The goal should be to find a simple tool that doesn’t burn your pocket with yearly subscriptions.

Let’s get to the list now.

Key Features to Look for in a Notion Alternative

When searching for a Notion alternative, there are several key features to consider. These include:

• Project management features: Look for tools that offer advanced project management features, such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and task assignments.
• Task management: Consider tools that offer robust task management features, including due dates, reminders, and prioritization.
• Knowledge management: If you’re looking for a tool to manage knowledge and documentation, consider alternatives that offer features like wikis, documentation management, and knowledge bases.
• Collaboration: If you’re working with a team, look for tools that offer real-time collaboration features, including commenting, @mentions, and task assignments.
• Customization: Consider tools that offer customization options, including templates, themes, and integrations with other apps.
• Pricing: Evaluate the pricing structure of each alternative, including free plans, paid plans, and enterprise options.

By keeping these features in mind, you can find a Notion alternative that not only meets your needs but also enhances your productivity and collaboration.

8 Best Notion Alternatives

Before you start your search, ask yourself – do you really need a tool that will replace Notion in every way? Or do you need a tool that caters to your specific needs and use case better than Notion does?

The alternatives in this list are unique (and, dare I say, better than Notion) in their own way, making each a great Notion alternative.

Tool

Best for

Pricing

Slite

For building a great internal wiki

From $8/user/month

Nuclino

For a lightweight and price-effective Notion alternative

Free up to 3 canvases and 50 items. Paid plans start from $6/user/month

Coda

For powerful formulas and consolidating workflows

Free up to 50 objects. Paid plans start from $10/document maker/month

Asana

For robust project management

Free for up to 10 team members. Paid plans start from $6.92/user/month

Obsidian

For offline, interconnected note-taking

Free for personal use. Paid plan costs $50/user/year

Airtable

For powerful database and automations

Free up to 5 editors. Paid plans start from $20/user/month

Confluence

For enterprise-level users

Free for up to 10 users. Paid plans start from $5.16/user/month

Mem

For AI-powered data organizing

From $8.33/month

1. Slite: Best for building a great internal wiki 

If Notion feels like an endless maze of possibilities, Slite is your clear path forward—a tool built for knowledge management and knowledge management only. 

Slite’s biggest strength? A user-friendly interface that makes creating and using a wiki feel effortless. 

It starts with an AI-powered Wiki Generator that tailors a structure to your unique workflows, asking questions and recommending layouts. From there, documentation is a breeze with its intuitive WYSIWYG editor. You can use it exactly like Notion’s editor. It also supports inline embeds and databases like Notion, so there’s no need to overhaul your existing tech stack.

The fight between Slite and Notion becomes pretty one-sided with Slite’s Knowledge Management panel. You can change the owner of multiple docs in one go, filter docs for easy verification, and manage outdated docs by archiving in bulk. No manual drudgey required.

The functionality that tips the scale for users like me? Slite’s AI-powered Ask. Not only do you get GPT-like answers from your verified Knowledge Base, you can invoke them anywhere using Slite’s Chrome and Slack extension.

Imagine the time saved searching for information. Just one click. Just a couple of minutes.  

Pricing: At $8/user/month, Slite is much lighter on the wallet and, unlike Notion, includes AI for free.

Who should opt for Slite as a Notion alternative?

1. For teams overwhelmed by Notion’s complexity. Slite keeps it simple, offering just the right tools without the clutter.
2. For teams that struggle with documentation updates and freshness. Easy cleanup tools and document verification in Slite serve the purpose.
3. For teams looking to scale. As data grows, Notion can get clunky. Moreover, its pricing can become quite steep once you start onboarding more users. 

2. Nuclino: Best for a lightweight and price-effective Notion alternative

Looking for something like Notion but just less complicated? Enters Nuclino.‍

Nuclino offers almost all the core features available in Notion. Think Kanban boards, note-taking features, document collaboration, and project tracking. Where Notion falls short, Nuclino stands tall. Wondering where? Speed. A limited yet powerful feature set. And a cleaner interface.

When I created a free account, the one thing that caught my eye was a simple hierarchy for each workspace. I like how they don’t confuse me with multiple data visualization options. Instead, they have an infinite “Canvas” option where I can add objects, create diagrams, or design flowcharts.

The graph view is also a standout feature that lets you see how everything links together in your workspace.

Nuclino also jumps on the AI bandwagon, but in a way that doesn’t feel gimmicky. The AI editing and image generation features are there when you need them, without overwhelming you with options you’ll never use.

Compared with Notion, I also found Nuclino’s search to be blazing fast. It was precise, and I could find what I needed in seconds.

Pricing: At just $6/user/month, Nuclino is a budget-friendly choice. It also offers a free plan, making it a compelling free Notion alternative for those seeking cost-effective solutions.

Who should opt for Nuclino as a Notion alternative?

• For teams seeking simplicity and speed. Ideally, teams that don’t need complex databases, advanced project management, or intricate workflows.
• For small and mid-sized teams that don’t want to break the bank with steep subscription costs.
• For visual thinkers and creative teams who prefer visual tools over text-heavy platforms.

3. Coda: Best for powerful formulas and consolidating workflows

If Notion is the Swiss Army knife of productivity tools, Coda is trying to be the entire toolbox.

One Reddit user best describes how I feel about Coda as a Notion alternative – “If you need some wiki with database functionality, go with Notion. If you need database functionality with some wiki, go with Coda.”

Coda’s standout feature? The ability to structure pages, sections, and elements to resemble full-fledged applications. Say, a project tracking dashboard. Or tables that link to each other, draw data from forms, and voila, you have a mini CRM. Or interactive buttons combined with Coda’s automation rules to create self-running workflows.

Unlike Notion, Coda’s tables are the shining light. You can add formulas like you would in a spreadsheet. For example, formulas to track inventory or calculate project cost overruns. You can even play around with more field types and conditional formatting options.

Does all of this sound a bit complicated? Yes, because it is. If you know what to do with Coda, the possibilities are endless. Coda packs all the features required for effective project management and collaboration.

But the learning curve is steep, making it challenging to implement in mid-sized to large enterprises without significant onboarding. This complexity is frequently cited as a drawback on platforms like G2 and Capterra.

Pricing: Coda follows a unique pricing strategy. They bill only for users who “create” docs. Editors and viewers are given free access. Their pro plan starts from $10/month/user.

Who should opt for Coda as a Notion alternative?

• For teams looking to create custom workflows, mini-apps, powerful tables with formulas, and complex databases.
• For teams who are tech-savvy and can leverage Coda’s extensive feature set.
• For teams searching for an affordable solution that only charges per maker/doc creator.

4. Asana: Best for robust project management

One sentence to describe this Notion alternative— project management that doesn’t try to do it all. 

Asana is the Tony Stark of project management tools. You cannot not know about it. Whether you’re running large-scale projects like construction projects or managing a content campaign, Asana is known for its reliable PM features.

Notion’s flexibility and customization options allow for creating project plans, tracking tasks, and collaborating with team members. But Asana wins the PM game with features like milestone tracking, task dependencies, time tracking, workload management, and real-time reporting dashboards.

Asana takes what Notion offers for project management and makes it even better.

For example, while Notion provides me with a template for goal tracking, it’s not as focused. Asana allows me to view individual as well as project goals. It shows the goal status, completion percentage, a progress graph, and the ability to set update reminders.

That said, you’ll be left wanting for more if you’re looking for an all-in-one platform. 

Pricing: Asana’s paid plans start at $6.92/user/month. 

Who should opt for Asana as a Notion alternative?

• For teams running complex projects and needing cross-project visibility or advanced features like portfolio management.
• For small teams (<10 users) that want advanced project management features for free.
• For teams prioritizing collaboration with direct messaging, project-specific comments, and real-time updates

5. Obsidian: Best for offline, interconnected note-taking

Looking for a note-taking tool that’s with you rain or shine—even offline? Obsidian’s got your back with endless customization and visualization. As an open source alternative to other popular tools like Notion, it offers unique benefits and flexibility.

Image source

At its core, Obsidian is all about connected ideas. Its graph view turns your notes into a constellation of thoughts, making it ideal for creative brainstorming or in-depth research. Unlike most other note-taking apps, you can open multiple files on what it calls panes. Perfect for multitasking.

What I love best is Obsidian Canvas. It’s a core plugin that enables you to organize notes visually. You can add images, PDFs, or videos and then connect items using arrows.

Whether it’s Kanban boards, timelines, or to-do lists, Obsidian’s first-party and community plugins unlock features limited only by your imagination. Got a knack for experimenting? You can build workflows like spaced repetition for learning or even turn Obsidian into a lightweight project management hub.

Obsidian also earns points for data ownership. Your notes live locally as Markdown files. That means no servers, no subscriptions, and no fear of losing access. But collaboration? That’s a bump in the road. The workaround? You can either buy their Sync standard to invite users to your vault or upload the vault folder on Google Drive.

Pricing: Commercial usage starts at $50/user/year. Their Sync add-on, which enables cross-device syncing, costs $4/user/month.

Who should opt for Obsidian as a Notion alternative?

• For tech-savvy teams who love tinkering with different features and need a tool perfectly customized to their requirements.
• For teams that want to keep their data safe or require offline access.
• For teams that are creative and focus heavily on visualization.

6. Airtable: Best for powerful database and automations

Airtable is the internet’s favorite project management platform and database tool, and for good reason. Think of it as Notion’s database on steroids: sharper, smarter, and 10 times more effective.

The default view of Airtable is a simple spreadsheet. You can create multiple tables and link records across them. For example, you could join two tables for customers and purchase history to create a mini-CRM.

The best part? You don’t have to stick to a table view. Want to track a marketing campaign? Use a Kanban board. Want to manage product inventory? Use the grid view. Want to collect customer feedback? Use the form view.

While relational databases are a clear strong suit, the feature that shines for me is automations. In a sidebar next to your spreadsheet, you can create custom automations, automate Slack messages when a record is updated, update a record when the corresponding table data is changed, etc.

Airtable also has its marketplace that helps build visualizations, generate forms, track time, automate emails, and much more.

Their newest feature? The use of AI and Airtable Cobuilder to create a highly customized app in a few minutes.

A caveat? Sometimes, Airtable can leave users with a nagging feeling of “not knowing what they don’t know,” potentially limiting their ability to fully leverage the tool.

Pricing: Paid plans start from $20/user/month. This pricing structure can make Airtable a significant investment for larger teams.

Who should opt for Airtable as a Notion alternative?

• For teams that require structured data rather than free-form text documents
• For teams requiring built-in workflow automation
• For teams needing powerful integrations to create a cohesive workflow across platforms

7. Confluence: Best for enterprise-level users 

Tired of struggling with large databases and complex pages on Notion? Confluence rises to the challenge with enterprise-ready infrastructure built to handle the heavy lifting.

While Notion provides a fully customizable workspace, Confluence sticks to a structured environment with clear hierarchies. It’s also more focused on being a documentation tool than juggling five different use cases.

Comparing the two tools, I found Confluence’s collaboration features more spot-on for enterprise teams. Your team can see who’s working on what, get detailed page history, and leave in-line comments. Why is this best for enterprises? You can have tight control over document versions and edits.

Searching through information is a breeze, even with large volumes of data and complex content. For example, I could use advanced operators to search by author, date, or content type. You can even use macros to find tasks, pages, or files that meet specific criteria.

If your team already uses Atlassian products like Jira and Bitbucket, you can create a unified workspace. For example, tech teams can create project roadmaps in Confluence that auto-update with Jira data, keeping everyone on the same page.

One thing to keep in mind is that Confluence can be a bit tricky to figure out at first. It might take some time to get the hang of it, especially if you’re not used to other Atlassian tools or other tools like Slite, Microsoft Loop, and Airtable, which offer unique features.

Pricing: Confluence’s paid plans start from $5.16/user/month. If you have a bigger team, you can get a discount.

Who should opt for Confluence as a Notion alternative?

• For teams already using a product from the Atlassian ecosystem
• For enterprise-level teams that require enterprise-grade performance, security, and scalability
• For tech teams that require robust collaboration features and integrations

8. Mem: Best for AI-powered data organizing

You have every single piece of information stored online. Yet someone drops a Slack message, “Mary, can you help me with this document?” Ah. Not again. Mem might just be the life raft your team needs as a Notion alternative.

One of the most significant differences I noticed when trying out Mem is its folderless organization system. Unlike popular note-taking apps with proper structure, Mem utilizes AI to group related content. This means I no longer have to spend time sorting my notes into specific folders.

Does going folderless sound scary? What if you can’t find the information you need? Mem solves this problem in three ways:

• Bidirectional links: Link notes together two ways to create an interconnected data repository.
• Tags: Separate notes by creating categories with tags. For example, notes related to SEO can be labeled #SEO or #SEO_backlinking
• Search: Mem's Smart Search functionality is a game changer. Instead of searching for keywords, you can ask questions in natural language. For example, “Can you find blog post ideas for December in my content calendar?”

Their AI features also show up when I am working on a document and the platform recommends similar notes, articles, or data that I may have forgotten about.

My favorite part? I love how easy it is to create new Mems using emails, WhatsApp, Telegram, and even text messages.

The only downside is this tool isn’t a great option for teams that prefer setting their own hierarchies and categories.

Pricing: Mem offers just two tiers – the standard plan for $8.33/month and, for teams who want collaboration features, a custom pricing.

Who should opt for Mem as a Notion alternative?

• For teams who prefer less rigid structures and more dynamic linking of ideas
• For teams that want to leverage AI in their workflows
• For teams that want a simple note-taking tool without the complexities of Notion

Choosing the Best Notion Alternative

The best Notion alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and reasons for seeking a replacement. Consider these factors:

• Cost: If pricing is a primary concern, Slite and Nuclino offer everything you require but at competitive per-user pricing.
• Features: If you need hardcore features like database management, Coda and Airtable let you do a lot more than Notion ever could. Note, you need to be tech-savvy to really get things done in those tools, and they fare quite low in team-wide adoption. 
• Speed: If speed is an issue, Airtable and Nuclino are known for their performance, especially when handling larger datasets.
• Reliability and user-friendliness: Slite is recognized for its user-friendliness, and Asana’s features are hauled on G2 as the most dependable.
• Ecosystem integration: If you heavily rely on Atlassian products, Confluence is the optimal choice for seamless integration.
• Security and privacy: Obsidian keeps your sensitive data safe, and you can use it offline as well. 
• Project management: Asana might not do everything, but its project management features are quick, snappy, and top notch.

Productivity tools are meant to make life easy, not overwhelm you. That said, I recommend getting started with a free trial/account. Let your team know which features are a priority. Experiment with them for a couple of weeks before you take the plunge. Who knows, you might just discover a Notion alternative that makes you go, “Why didn’t we find this tool earlier?” 

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