Notion Vs Evernote: Which To Choose?

Are you looking for a reliable project management and note-taking platform for your business and personal needs? You’ve heard of productivity tools like Notion and Evernote, and you’re ready to harness their power. But, just when you’re about to commit, there it is – decision paralysis…

Is Evernote better than Notion? Is Notion better than Evernote? What’s even the difference between these two platforms?

I get it; all these questions can be overwhelming. And the truth is, there are no ultimate answers.

In my journey as a digital marketing agency owner, both Evernote and Notion have proven to be valuable. But I’ve been using them for different purposes. Their advanced task management and note-taking capabilities have helped me organize and streamline tasks. I often think back to times I didn’t use Notion and Evernote for my personal and business needs. From this perspective, it was much more chaotic…

While their roles often overlap, Notion and Evernote are distinctly different platforms. They are like two sides of the same coin, each shining brilliantly when used to their potential

In this Notion vs Evernote guide, I’ll help you decide which platform aligns better with your unique needs.

You’ll learn each platform’s strengths and weaknesses. This will help you make the a good decision and end up satisfied with your choice. You’ll also find out how to combine these two platforms to organize your ideas and turn them into reality more easily. Let’s start!

Evernote Vs Notion – Why Are These Platforms So Popular In 2023?
Notion Vs Evernote: A Detailed Comparison
Notion Vs Evernote: Pricing Plans Comparison
Notion Vs Evernote: Which One To Choose For Project Management?
Evernote Vs Notion: Which One To Choose For Note-Taking?
Pro Tip – You Can Use Notion and Evernote Together!

Evernote Vs Notion – Why Are These Platforms So Popular In 2023?

Evernote and Notion reign as two of the most popular productivity platforms. But you might want to know what’s behind their enduring appeal?

Evernote, born in the early 2000s, was one of the first players in the note-taking and project management arena. It began as a simple note-taking app. But soon, Evernote expanded its capabilities to become an all-encompassing productivity hub.

On the flip side, Notion, a relative newcomer launched in 2016, disrupted the scene with its modular approach. It combines notes, databases, kanban boards, wikis, and calendars into one versatile interface. The powerful nesting, linking capabilities, and extensive customization make Notion unique.

While both platforms started as note-taking apps, they have evolved into far more than that. Evernote and Notion now offer an all-in-one solution to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, meetings, goals, checklists, tasks, journals, plans, and links. Their pre-made templates make tracking and managing these elements easier than ever.

Whether it’s sketching ideas or incorporating multimedia files, Evernote and Notion allow a degree of customization that elevates the user experience.

However, they aren’t just about aesthetics or functionality. They’re about making life simpler, helping you stay on top of your projects and goals, and providing a seamless experience for capturing and organizing thoughts. This, combined with their constant innovation and flexibility, is why Evernote and Notion remain go-to choices for business owners, professionals, and productivity enthusiasts in 2023. Using Notion and Evernote were both important in my journey toward becoming an iPhone power user.

But remember, while both are exceptional tools, they each shine differently. And that’s precisely what we’ll uncover in the coming sections of this Evernote vs Notion guide.

Notion Vs Evernote: A Detailed Comparison

I’ve extensively used both of these productivity applications, each with its unique strengths, features, and usability. Now, I’ve decided to share my insights with you in this detailed ‘Evernote vs Notion’ comparison.

We will evaluate each platform against several key parameters like ease of use, AI capabilities, collaboration features, integrations, security, and more. You’ll also discover how both platforms’ aesthetics and design capabilities can enhance your productivity.

In the end, it all boils down to choosing the app that will solve your problems and meet your specific needs most effectively. I hope this Notion vs Evernote guide will empower you to make that choice confidently. Let’s dive in.

Ease of Use – Notion requires more patience but offers more customization opportunities

When considering two different tools, one of the first things you may want to know is how long it will take you to get used to each. That’s why I decided to start this Notion vs Evernote comparison by comparing their ease of use.

Both platforms are user-friendly. But from my experience, Evernote has a slight edge here.

With both Notion and Evernote, you’ll able to benefit from your peak productivity hours without breaking your head over confusing features.

Evernote’s charm lies in its simplicity. Its interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a sidebar that makes tracking down notes and tasks a breeze. It will take you very little time to get started with this note-taking tool. It doesn’t give you a feeling of anything being complicated. Evernote offers a dedicated task module with predefined task properties. All you have to do is fill in your content, making task creation hassle-free.

On the flip side, Notion requires a bit more patience and exploration. It offers a higher degree of customization, and with that comes a steeper learning curve. Initially, you might have to do some research to understand certain features or create specific templates within this productivity software. Task creation in Notion requires finding an appropriate template and adding the properties or fields yourself.

However, once you get the hang of it, Notion opens up a world of possibilities. You can easily create customized Notion workspaces that perfectly cater to your specific needs. You can tailor everything to your liking, from simple notes to complex databases and personal knowledge bases.

Search Functionality – Evernote is more precise, Notion is faster

Being able to retrieve information quickly is one of the key features of any productivity application. In our “Notion vs Evernote” comparison, both tools have robust search capabilities, albeit with some nuances.

Evernote’s search functionality is characterized by its depth and precision. It supports advanced search syntax, enabling you to employ special commands to search within notebooks, by creation date or content type. It also supports this option within various file formats, such as images, PDFs, or audio files. Evernote ensures you can find anything, even in a sea of thousands of notes. Moreover, with Evernote’s paid plan, the search feature extends to finding information within documents and PDFs, providing an impressive level of detail. Of course, as your note count increases, expect a slight delay in search results.

On the other hand, Notion offers two distinct search methods – ‘Quick Find’ and database search. Quick Find allows you to access recently used pages rapidly, and by entering your query, Notion will return results matching the keywords. Bear in mind, though, the broader your search term, the longer it might take for results to appear, so precision is key here.

If your notes are organized within databases, Notion’s search within databases will return results more swiftly. In fact, one advantage of Notion’s database-driven system is that if you create filtered views, you may find the need to use the search feature reduced significantly. While Notion’s search capabilities are commendable, they don’t feel as powerful or speedy compared to Evernote’s search functionality.

AI Capabilities

The evolution of artificial intelligence has left its imprint on productivity applications as well. Both Notion and Evernote leverage AI to enhance user experience, but they do so in unique ways.

Starting with Notion, its AI capabilities focus on boosting productivity and organizing data in a user-friendly manner. One of the standout AI features is the application of machine learning algorithms to parse and categorize information from images and documents. When you upload an image or document, Notion’s AI can automatically identify vital information like dates, names, and locations, organizing this data into a neat table. This smart automation is a boon for the app enthusiast who wants to manage complex data easily. I’ve also been using Notion’s AI to organize and get the most out of my meeting notes quickly.

What I particularly love about Evernote is that it offers an AI Note Cleanup feature. This AI tool employs machine learning to analyze and categorize your notes. The idea behind it is to maintain the organization of your notes, making them easier to locate when required. Additionally, this advanced task management app ensures your notes stay orderly, which in turn aids in keeping you on top of your tasks.

The choice between the two would depend on your specific needs and how you plan to use the AI capabilities of these platforms.

Is Notion Or Evernote Better For Team Collaboration?

When it comes to fostering team communication and collaboration, both Notion and Evernote have their distinct advantages.

At the heart of Notion’s design lies a focus on documents and notes, tasks and projects, and team wiki. Essentially, Notion is built to enable teams to collaborate more effectively, providing a single point of truth that can streamline team communication efforts and minimize misunderstandings or unnecessary back-and-forths.

After setting up your Notion account, you can create a workspace that serves as the base for inviting others to collaborate. If you’re subscribed to a team plan, you can invite your team members to view, create, and edit pages. They can also leave comments and tag other members, fostering interaction and collaboration. This aspect of Notion has been crucial in allowing my team to collaborate efficiently in real-time on various projects, ranging from web design to PPC advertising.

Notion also offers great flexibility when creating pages, setting up databases, and configuring views, making it a powerful tool for managing projects of any kind. You can design a workflow that perfectly suits your needs, tracking tasks, deliverables, and assigning roles. While it might take a little time to set things up initially, Notion’s vast array of templates can help speed up the process.

On the other hand, Evernote also provides project management and collaboration features, but these are mostly available in the Business plan. With this plan, you can create spaces (the equivalent of Notion’s workspaces) and add notebooks and notes to categorize information by team and topic. Basic collaboration features like task assignments, flagging critical tasks, and adding due dates are available. Although these features make Evernote a solid choice for collaboration, it doesn’t offer the same degree of customization and project management functionality as Notion.

Integrations

When choosing a productivity application, your unique workflow and toolset are crucial considerations.

You’ll find Evernote’s broad integration capabilities particularly advantageous if you regularly use platforms such as Gmail, Slack, Salesforce, Google Drive, or Microsoft Outlook. These integrations can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing you to access and manage information across different platforms without switching between various apps continuously.

On the contrary, one of the key weaknesses of Notion is its limited integration capability. Notion currently lacks direct integration options with popular platforms like Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and Zoom. Although Notion users can count on over 50 integrations with apps like Figma, Slack, and GitHub, the lack of integration with some key platforms may require you to rely on third-party automation services like Zapier or Automate.

While Notion’s integrations can still provide a smooth workflow for many users, those who frequently use tools like Gmail or Zoom may find the integration capabilities of Evernote more beneficial. It’s worth considering your most-used tools and platforms when choosing between these two productivity applications.

Security

Data breaches and information leaks are a constant concern. I feel like the security of your note-taking and task management tool is an often overlooked factor. So how do Notion vs Evernote compare when it comes to security? As the two most popular productivity software solutions, they both understand this and have prioritized robust security measures to protect your data.

Notion uses TLS security for network traffic to ensure a secure connection between your device and its servers. To further enhance security, it employs AES-256-bit encryption to protect your database credentials and stored data. This advanced level of encryption means your sensitive information is kept under lock and key.

Likewise, Evernote doesn’t compromise on data security. It employs industry-standard encryption for data in transit, safeguarding your information as it travels across networks. For data at rest, Evernote uses AES-236-bit encryption, providing a similar level of security to Notion.

The high-level security measures implemented by both platforms not only protect your data from potential threats but also provide peace of mind. Knowing that your notes, ideas, and projects are stored securely allows you to focus more on productivity and less on potential security issues.

Both Platforms Come With Beautiful Templates For Various Purposes

Both Notion and Evernote offer a variety of templates that cater to different user needs. In my ClickUp vs Notion guide, I’ve already praised a wide range of Notion’s templates, but it’s worth doing so again here.

Evernote has over 70 templates. It offers solutions tailored to various facets of life, including work, school, and personal uses. These ready-made templates make it easier to deal with information overload, and the user interface is straightforward, allowing you to focus on functionality over aesthetics.

However, Notion takes this feature up a notch with its extensive collection of over 5000 templates. These span a vast array of uses, such as human resources, student life, nonprofits, startups, remote work, personal goals, planning, hobbies & fun, wikis, travel, portfolios, journaling, and more.

Notion’s interface is incredibly flexible, providing options to design beautiful workspaces, files, agendas, and notes. It also offers numerous view options, such as timeline views, tables, lists, calendars, Kanban boards, and gallery views. It’s a perfect choice for those who want a stylish, modern-looking project management software.

Evernote keeps its design simple and efficient, focusing on functionality. If you prefer a more minimalist approach to your workspace, you might find Evernote’s design more appealing. But if you’re seeking a platform that provides both functional versatility and aesthetic pleasure, Notion holds the edge.

Evernote Has Built-In Sketch Feature

Addressing various note-taking needs, both Evernote and Notion provide diverse tool options to include drawings or sketches in your notes. However, there’s a significant difference between Notion and Evernote regarding ease of sketching.

Evernote takes the lead here with its built-in Sketch feature, making it highly convenient to annotate your notes with hand-drawn insights. Simply navigate to New -> Sketch, and you are ready to express your thoughts visually right within the app. This functionality makes Evernote a preferred choice for those who often rely on sketches in their note-taking process.

On the contrary, sketching in Notion demands an extra step. There’s no integrated sketching feature within the app. Instead, you must create your sketch using an external application and embed this file into your Notion note. While it’s still possible to incorporate drawings, the lack of a built-in feature means this is a less streamlined process in Notion compared to Evernote. The ease of Evernote’s Sketch feature offers a clear advantage for users who frequently integrate visual elements into their notes.

Notion Vs Evernote: Pricing Plans Comparison

In this comparison post, we delve into the pricing models of both Notion and Evernote. Each of these note-taking apps offers a free version, with expanded features available through their respective pricing plans.

Evernote Pricing Plans

Free: Offers basic features such as note creation, syncing across two devices, basic task setting, three widgets on the home dashboard, 60 MB of file uploads, web page saving, and file attachments.
Personal ($14.99 per month): This plan allows unlimited device syncing, setting task due dates, access to additional widgets, Google calendar connectivity, setting notifications, and creating custom templates.
Professional ($17.99 per month): This plan offers all the features of the Personal plan, plus the ability to integrate with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and other apps.
Teams ($24.99 per user per month): Designed for collaborative workspaces, providing all the Professional features plus shared access for team members.

Notion Pricing Plans

Free Version: Notion delivers a cost-free tier that encompasses fundamental features. This plan is well-suited for personal users or small teams exploring Notion for the first time.
Pro Plan: Costing $8 per user/month with annual billing or $10 when billed monthly, the Pro Plan unveils enhanced features for a deeper level of workflow and team collaboration. It’s an ideal fit for smaller teams aspiring for an improved cooperative experience.
Business Plan: With a cost of $15 per user/month under an annual billing system or $18 when billed monthly, the Business Plan is tailored for medium-sized enterprises. This plan introduces advanced collaborative tools and administrative functionalities to better orchestrate your company’s processes.
Enterprise Plan: Aimed at large-scale organizations, Notion provides an Enterprise Plan that comes with a personalized pricing structure. This plan offers advanced security measures and admin capabilities that are designed to cater to the demands of larger teams and corporations.

Both Notion and Evernote offer free trials for their premium plans. This allows you to get a feel for the expanded features before making a financial commitment. As with any service, the decision to upgrade will largely depend on your specific needs. Comparing these pricing plans should help you select the best tool for project management and note-taking requirements.

Notion Vs Evernote: Which One To Choose For Project Management?

I fully understand the struggle of finding a tool that effectively manages projects, streamlines collaboration, and organizes information all in one place. During my search for an all-in-one solution, I discovered that Notion offered more than just a notetaking solution. It was a robust project management tool that helped me improve my workflows and keep team on track.

Notion is founded on three core areas: documents and notes, tasks and projects, and team collaboration. These pillars are fundamental for efficient project management. With Notion, you can create a workspace where team members can collaborate, view, create, and edit pages. This level of interactivity, including the ability to leave comments and mention others, fosters an engaging work environment.

Notion shines in flexibility. The platform gives you the freedom to create pages, establish databases, and configure views, making it adaptable for managing any type of project. Tailoring your workflow to track tasks, deliverables, and individual responsibilities is straightforward with Notion. While there is a slight learning curve in the beginning, a wide array of templates will ease the process. You also have the option to customize these templates to your needs or use premium ones designed by seasoned Notion users.

Evernote, on the contrary, does offer project management and collaboration features. However, these are primarily available through its Business plan. Although Evernote allows the creation of spaces, similar to Notion’s workspaces, its customization and control don’t quite match up to Notion’s capabilities.

So, based on my personal experience and a detailed comparison of “Notion vs Evernote,” I can assert that Notion excels as a project management tool. If you’d like a more in-depth look at how I use Notion for my agency, feel free to check out my guide on using Notion for agencies.

Evernote Vs Notion: Which One To Choose For Note-Taking?

In my experience, Evernote has proven to be an invaluable tool when it comes to quick and efficient note-taking. While both “Evernote vs Notion” offer comprehensive platforms for documentation, Evernote edges out in note-taking due to its intuitive design that emphasizes ease of use and speed.

Evernote allows me to capture a wide array of ideas and content swiftly. Be it thoughts, reminders, or pieces of information, Evernote’s straightforward interface ensures that noting down my ideas doesn’t become a hurdle in itself. This feature has been of great help to me when I need to organize my thoughts quickly and efficiently.

One of Evernote’s strengths lies in its variety of note-taking methods across its desktop and mobile app. All of these methods are easy to understand and master, ensuring that the note-taking process is streamlined. The focus remains on the content rather than the medium.

What I really enjoyed is that Evernote comes preconfigured with all the necessary features required for note-taking. This means you can start taking notes as soon as you install the app without getting bogged down with setup and configuration. This convenience is beneficial when you need to quickly jot down important points during meetings, brainstorming sessions, or while working on a project.

In contrast, Notion also offers note-taking capabilities but is geared more toward project management, tasks, and collaboration. It might not offer the speed and convenience Evernote provides for note-taking.

So, if note-taking forms a significant part of your day-to-day activities, especially in roles that involve heavy administration or management, Evernote is a tool worth considering.

Pro Tip – You Can Use Notion and Evernote Together!

Who says you can’t use both Notion and Evernote together? As someone constantly looking for the best ways to enhance my productivity, I found that blending the strengths of Notion and Evernote has been a great solution.

Evernote’s robust note-taking abilities have been instrumental in capturing my thoughts, jotting down reminders, and quick drafting. This easy-to-use note-taking application helps me organize ideas. On the other hand, Notion, with its advanced file sharing and file management features, has streamlined my project management, turning the chaotic process into a breeze. It helps me turn ideas into reality.

For productivity geeks like me, combining Notion and Evernote is worth trying. When you also start using productivity gadgets together with these software solutions, you’ll likely notice a big difference.

So, you don’t have to restrict yourself to choosing between Notion and Evernote. By harnessing the unique strengths of each tool, you can build a workflow that meets all your note-taking, file management, and project management needs. So, why choose when you can benefit from both?

You can get started with Notion here.

And you can get started with Evernote here.