Notion vs Evernote: Which is Best For You

Best for note-taking power users: Evernote

If your priority is laser-focused, feature-rich note-taking, especially with extensive web clipping and robust organization of notes, Evernote remains a top choice. It excels as a dedicated digital notebook.

Best for flexible workspaces & project management: Notion

For those seeking a versatile digital workspace that goes beyond just notes, Notion shines. Its strength lies in its highly customizable databases, empowering project management, and building interconnected workspaces for diverse needs.

Best for simplicity & speed: Evernote

Need to quickly capture thoughts and organize information without a steep learning curve? Evernote's straightforward design and intuitive features offer a more simple and speedy entry point for everyday note-taking.

Best for customization & growth: Notion

If you value deep customization and a platform that can adapt and grow with your evolving workflows, Notion's adaptable block-based system provides unmatched flexibility for building your ideal digital environment.

Note-taking & organization

Evernote excels as a dedicated note-taking application. Its traditional structure revolves around notebooks and tags, offering a familiar filing cabinet approach. You create notes within notebooks and further categorize them with tags. This system is straightforward for organizing a large volume of text-based notes and research. Evernote's formatting options are comprehensive for notes, supporting rich text, images, attachments, and tables directly within a note.

Notion, in contrast, offers a more flexible and interconnected system using pages and databases. While you can create simple pages for notes, Notion's true organizational power lies in its databases. These databases can be structured as tables, boards, lists, or calendars, allowing you to organize notes alongside projects, tasks, and other information. Notion also supports rich media embedding, letting you integrate content from across the web directly into your pages, creating dynamic documents.

Task management & project management

Evernote provides basic task management within notes. You can create simple to-do lists and set reminders. However, this functionality is quite rudimentary and best suited for simple personal task tracking directly within notes.

Notion takes task management to another level. Its databases can be specifically structured for project and task management, incorporating features like status tracking, deadlines, assignees, and priority levels. Kanban boards and calendars within Notion databases offer visual project management capabilities that are far beyond Evernote's basic offerings. While Evernote keeps tasks simple, Notion empowers complex project workflows.

Databases & advanced features (Notion focus)

The power of Notion truly lies in its databases. These are not just simple lists. Notion databases are versatile containers that can display information in various formats: tables, boards, lists, calendars, and galleries. Each entry in a Notion database is its own page, allowing for nested information and relationships between entries. This system enables you to build custom CRMs, project trackers, content calendars, and much more, all within Notion. This level of customization and interconnected data is a key differentiator for Notion.

Web clipping (Evernote strong point)

Evernote's web clipper is widely recognized as best-in-class. It allows you to capture web articles, web pages, and screenshots directly into your Evernote notebooks with exceptional accuracy. Crucially, Evernote's web clipper offers a simplified article mode, stripping away website clutter to save only the essential text and images in a clean, readable format. You can also annotate web clips and tag them immediately during the clipping process, ensuring immediate organization.

Notion's web clipper, while functional, is more basic. It primarily saves web pages as bookmarks or simplified page captures. It lacks the simplified article mode and annotation features of Evernote's web clipper. While usable, Notion's web clipping is not as refined or powerful as Evernote's dedicated tool.

Search functionality

Evernote's search functionality has historically been a significant strength. It boasts impressive search speed and the ability to search not only within note text but also inside PDFs and even images (using Optical Character Recognition - OCR). For users with vast archives of notes, Evernote's search remains highly effective for quickly locating information.

Notion's search has improved over time, but traditionally lagged behind Evernote in speed and advanced capabilities. While Notion's search is now generally adequate for finding text within pages, it's not as consistently praised for speed or for searching within less common file types with the same level of accuracy as Evernote. However, Notion continues to enhance its search functionality.

Templates

Both Evernote and Notion offer templates, but with different focuses. Evernote's templates are primarily designed to enhance individual note-taking, offering structured formats for meeting notes, project briefs, to-do lists, and more. These templates are geared towards making individual notes more organized and efficient.

Notion's templates are far more expansive and diverse, reflecting its broader workspace approach. Notion templates span a vast range of use cases, including project dashboards, meeting agendas, habit trackers, CRM systems, personal wikis, and much more. The Notion community also contributes a wealth of free and paid templates, further extending its template ecosystem. While Evernote templates improve individual notes, Notion templates can jumpstart entire workspaces.

Offline access

Offline access has traditionally been a key advantage for Evernote. Evernote allows for reliable offline access to your notes across devices, letting you work and review information even without an internet connection. This has been a long-standing strength, particularly for mobile users or those working in areas with unreliable internet.

Notion's offline access has historically been more limited. While Notion has made improvements, offline access can still be less consistently reliable than Evernote. Historically, editing Notion pages offline could be less smooth, and syncing might have occasional delays when reconnecting. While improving, Notion's offline experience may still not be as consistently robust as Evernote's, especially on mobile.

Collaboration & sharing

Both Evernote and Notion offer collaboration and sharing features, but with nuances. Evernote allows you to share individual notes or entire notebooks with others, with varying permission levels. Collaboration in Evernote is primarily focused on sharing information and notes.

Notion's collaboration is more deeply integrated into its workspace concept. You can share entire Notion workspaces or individual pages with collaborators, granting granular permission levels. Notion enables real-time collaboration on pages and databases, making it well-suited for team projects and shared knowledge bases. Notion's sharing extends beyond just notes to encompass entire collaborative workspaces.

Integrations

Both Evernote and Notion offer integrations with other applications, extending their functionality. Evernote integrates with a range of productivity and business tools, including email clients, calendar apps, and some task managers. Zapier integrations are available to further connect Evernote to other services.

Notion's integrations ecosystem is also growing, and it too offers Zapier integrations, opening up connectivity to thousands of apps. Notion's API access is a key strength, allowing for more custom integrations and connections to other platforms, particularly for developers or teams building custom workflows. While both offer integrations, Notion's API provides greater flexibility for advanced users and custom connections.

User Interface (UI) design

Evernote's user interface (UI) adopts a traditional, notebook-inspired design. It's clean, familiar, and relatively straightforward. The layout is primarily list-based, emphasizing notes within notebooks. Evernote's UI is functional and efficient, prioritizing clarity and ease of note organization in a conventional manner. Some may find it visually less modern, but its simplicity is a deliberate design choice.

Notion's user interface (UI) is distinctly modern and block-based. It presents a blank canvas approach, empowering users to build custom layouts with draggable blocks. Notion's UI is visually more contemporary and offers a high degree of customization. However, this flexibility can initially feel less immediately intuitive than Evernote's more structured interface. Subjective preferences play a significant role here; some users value Notion's visual adaptability, while others prefer Evernote's familiar simplicity.

Ease of learning & setup

Evernote generally offers a gentler learning curve. Its straightforward structure and familiar notebook concept make it easy for new users to quickly begin note-taking and organizing information. Evernote's setup is rapid; you can start creating notes almost immediately after installing the app. Its intuitive design prioritizes immediate usability for core note-taking tasks.

Notion presents a steeper learning curve, especially for users unfamiliar with database concepts or block-based systems. While basic note-taking in Notion is simple, mastering its more advanced features and customization options requires more time and exploration. Notion's setup can involve more initial configuration as users structure their workspaces and databases. However, this investment in learning pays off with greater long-term flexibility and power.

Speed & performance

Evernote has traditionally been praised for its speed and responsiveness, particularly in note creation and loading. Evernote is often perceived as snappier, especially when quickly capturing and accessing text-based notes. Its performance is generally consistent across devices, contributing to its reputation for reliable, fast note-taking.

Notion's performance can sometimes be less consistently speedy, especially with more complex pages or large databases. While Notion's performance has improved, users may occasionally experience slight loading delays, particularly when working with heavily customized workspaces or large datasets. Speed may be less of a priority in Notion compared to its focus on feature depth and flexibility. However, for basic note-taking, performance is generally adequate.

Mobile experience

Evernote's mobile experience has historically been considered a strength. The Evernote mobile app is known for its simplicity, speed, and efficiency in capturing notes on the go. It excels at quick note-taking, web clipping, and accessing information while mobile. The Evernote mobile app is often praised for its streamlined design and reliable performance for core note-taking tasks.

The Notion mobile app has evolved significantly but can sometimes feel less streamlined than Evernote's for quick capture. While Notion's mobile app provides access to all workspace features, some users find it less ideal for rapid note-taking on mobile devices due to its more feature-rich interface. However, Notion's mobile experience is constantly improving, and it offers the full power of Notion’s workspace on the go, albeit with a slightly different mobile workflow than Evernote.

Free plans comparison

Both Notion and Evernote offer free plans, but they differ significantly in what they provide. Evernote's free plan is quite limited. It restricts you to a maximum note size and device synchronization is limited to two devices only. Storage is also capped, and features are basic. While functional for very light note-taking, Evernote's free plan is restrictive for active users.

Notion's free plan is surprisingly generous. It places limits on "blocks" (content pieces) rather than storage, which for many users translates to ample space for personal use. The free plan includes almost all of Notion's core features, including unlimited pages and collaborators. For individuals primarily focused on personal organization and exploring Notion's capabilities, the free plan is remarkably powerful and offers excellent value to start.

Paid plans breakdown (Personal & business)

Evernote's paid plans offer increased storage, unlimited devices, and additional features like custom templates and integrations. Evernote Premium and Evernote Personal plans are geared towards individual power users who need more robust note-taking and organization features, plus enhanced search and support. Evernote Business plans cater to teams, adding collaboration features and administrative controls.

Notion's paid plans unlock collaborative workspaces and remove block limits, primarily targeting team use and heavier data users. Notion Personal Pro is for individuals needing more blocks and guest collaborators. Notion Plus and Notion Business plans unlock team workspaces, advanced collaboration features, admin controls, and more. Notion positions its paid plans as unlocking workspace value for teams and power users who need to expand their Notion ecosystem beyond personal use.

Value for money - Which offers more for your needs?

Assessing value for money depends heavily on your needs. For dedicated note-takers primarily focused on text and web clippings, Evernote's paid plans provide a streamlined and feature-rich note-taking experience at a potentially lower cost compared to Notion's equivalent paid tiers. If your main focus is note organization and capture, Evernote can represent good value.

However, if you desire a versatile digital workspace for more than just notes, Notion often provides greater overall value, especially with its generous free plan. For users interested in project management, building knowledge bases, or creating customizable systems, Notion's paid plans, while sometimes pricier than Evernote's, unlock a broader range of capabilities and a more adaptable platform. The question becomes: is Notion's expanded functionality worth the potentially higher pricing for your specific needs?

Potential Hidden Costs/Considerations

Beyond the direct subscription fees, consider potential hidden costs. Evernote, with its simpler interface, generally has a shorter learning curve, saving time on setup and onboarding. Notion's powerful integrations, while beneficial, might sometimes require paid Zapier plans or other third-party subscriptions to fully leverage, adding to the overall cost. Also, consider the cost of time invested in learning and customizing Notion. While powerful, Notion requires a time investment to truly master, which is a factor to weigh when considering value.

For project managers & teams

If you live and breathe project management, Notion is a powerhouse. Its databases, particularly Kanban boards and calendars, transform into visual project trackers. Teams can collaborate within shared Notion workspaces, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and monitoring progress directly within the platform. Notion becomes a central hub for team collaboration and project organization, far exceeding Evernote's basic task features. For teams needing a flexible and shared digital workspace for projects, Notion is a strong contender.

For users who want customization & flexibility

Notion is built for those who crave customization. Its fundamental block-based system allows you to construct workspaces tailored to your exact needs. From simple note-taking to complex databases and interconnected pages, Notion's flexibility is unmatched. If you enjoy tinkering, designing your own systems, and having complete control over your digital environment, Notion is your canvas. This level of customization goes far beyond what Evernote offers, appealing to users who want a truly personalized productivity app.

For building a personal or team wiki/knowledge base

Notion excels at creating interconnected knowledge bases. Its page structure and backlinking capabilities allow you to build wikis, documentation hubs, and internal knowledge repositories, both for personal use and for teams. Notion's databases can also function as organized information centers. If your goal is to build a knowledge management system, connect related information, and create a searchable, interconnected wiki, Notion offers the ideal tools. While Evernote organizes notes linearly in notebooks, Notion empowers you to build dynamic and interconnected knowledge bases.

For those who need a "Second brain" system

The "Second Brain" concept, focused on externalizing and connecting your thoughts and knowledge, aligns perfectly with Notion's strengths. Notion empowers you to build a comprehensive personal or professional productivity system that functions as an external brain. Using Notion's databases, pages, and linking features, you can connect ideas, manage tasks, track projects, and build a holistic system for information management. If you aspire to create a comprehensive digital second brain to augment your memory and organization, Notion's flexibility and interconnected nature make it exceptionally well-suited.

For visually-oriented users

Notion's visually rich pages and diverse database views appeal to those who are visually-oriented. Its block-based system allows for visually appealing layouts, and its databases can be displayed as galleries, boards, and calendars, making information more visually digestible. If you value aesthetics in your productivity app and prefer to organize information visually, Notion's design flexibility provides a more visually engaging experience than Evernote's more text-centric approach. Notion's visual appeal can enhance engagement and make organization more enjoyable for visually-oriented users.

For dedicated note-takers & researchers

If note-taking is your primary focus, and you seek a dedicated, feature-rich note-taking app, Evernote is a premier choice. For research, gathering information from various sources, and building a comprehensive note organization system centered around text and media notes, Evernote excels. Its strengths in text formatting, annotation, and robust search functionality make it a treasure for serious note-takers and information gatherers. If note-taking power is paramount, Evernote delivers.

For users who value simplicity & speed

Evernote's ease of use is a major advantage. If you prioritize simplicity and speed in your productivity app, Evernote's intuitive interface and rapid note capture are highly beneficial. For users who want to quickly jot down thoughts, clip web pages, and organize information without a steep learning curve, Evernote offers a streamlined and efficient experience. If you value immediate usability and speed in your daily workflow, Evernote is exceptionally user-friendly.

For those who need robust web clipping

If web clipping is a crucial part of your workflow, Evernote is the clear frontrunner. Its web clipper remains superior for capturing online articles, web pages, and information in a clean, organized manner. The simplified article mode, annotation tools, and immediate tagging during clipping make Evernote the most efficient tool for gathering and curating online content. For users who frequently rely on web clipping for research or information gathering, Evernote provides unmatched capabilities.

For users deeply invested in the Evernote ecosystem

If you are already heavily invested in the Evernote ecosystem, with years of notes and a well-established note organization system within Evernote, the inertia of switching is a significant factor. For users with vast Evernote archives, the benefit of migrating to Notion must be substantial to justify the effort of transferring notes and adapting to a new system. If you have a large and functional Evernote library, and your core needs are met by Evernote, staying within the familiar Evernote ecosystem might be the most practical choice.

For reliable offline access

While Notion is improving, Evernote has historically provided more reliable offline access. For users who frequently work offline, or need guaranteed access to their notes regardless of internet connectivity, Evernote's traditionally stronger offline access remains a relevant consideration. If consistent offline access, especially on mobile, is a non-negotiable requirement for your note-taking and organization, Evernote's established offline capabilities offer greater peace of mind, even as Notion catches up.

Leverage your Notion workspace online

After meticulously curating your knowledge base, managing projects, or building a portfolio within Notion, you might naturally want to share that information with a wider audience. Notion's inherent structure and organization make it a compelling source of content for websites. Imagine turning your Notion pages into a live, accessible web presence.

Limitations of native Notion sites for websites

While Notion offers a feature to publish pages as "public pages," these native Notion sites have limitations for serious website use. They often suffer from limited design customization, basic SEO optimization options, generic Notion branding, and can sometimes exhibit slower loading times. For users wanting a truly professional and branded website, native Notion sites may fall short.

Super: Supercharging Notion for powerful websites

Super emerges as a solution to supercharge Notion for website building. It's a platform designed to enhance Notion, unlocking its web potential. Super allows you to build fully customizable websites using your Notion content as a backend. Key benefits include: using custom domains to brand your site, enjoying complete design freedom beyond Notion's constraints, implementing advanced SEO optimization strategies for better search rankings, achieving faster loading speeds for improved user experience, applying custom branding, and gaining access to valuable analytics to understand your website traffic. Super enhances Notion by transforming it from an internal tool into a powerful website platform.

Use cases for Notion + Super

The combination of Notion + Super opens up diverse website possibilities. Ideal use cases include: creating stunning portfolios to showcase your work, building engaging personal websites to establish your online presence, publishing comprehensive documentation sites and knowledge bases for communities or products, launching professional small business websites to market your services, designing effective landing pages to drive conversions, and establishing vibrant community hubs powered by Notion data. For anyone wanting to leverage their Notion content for a dynamic and professional website, Super provides the missing pieces.