Best Notion Alternatives: 8 Note-Taking Apps Compared (2025)
Notion is powerful but can be overwhelming. Here are the best Notion alternatives for different use cases and preferences.
Top Notion Alternatives
1. Obsidian (Best for Privacy + Power Users)
Local-first, open-source, plain Markdown files. 1,000+ plugins. Free for personal use. The choice of power users who want data ownership.
- Price: Free (sync $10/mo)
- Best for: Writers, researchers, anyone who wants to own their data
2. Confluence (Best for Enterprise)
Atlassian’s wiki platform for large teams. Integrates with Jira. Standard for engineering teams.
- Price: $5.75/user/mo (Standard)
3. Roam Research (Best for Networked Thinking)
The original networked note-taking app. Daily notes + bidirectional links. Beloved by researchers and academics.
- Price: $15/mo
4. Coda (Best for Docs + Data)
Coda blurs the line between documents and spreadsheets. Better than Notion for complex databases and automations.
- Price: Free (limited), $10/user/mo (Pro)
5. Linear (Best for Product Teams)
If you use Notion primarily for project management, Linear is purpose-built for software teams and much faster.
6. Anytype (Free Open-Source Notion Alternative)
The best free, open-source Notion alternative. Local-first with sync, block-based editor, and no subscription required for basic use.
Comparison
| Alternative | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Notion | Free-$16/mo | General knowledge management |
| Obsidian | Free | Power users, privacy |
| Roam Research | $15/mo | Research, networked thinking |
| Coda | $0-10/mo | Docs + databases |
| Anytype | Free | Open-source Notion clone |
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