Anytype Vs Notion Side-by-Side Comparison

In this Anytype vs Notion comparison, I will show you the key differences between these two productivity tools. I will compare Anytype to Notion based on features, pricing, user interfaces, and pros and cons. I spent numerous hours with both note-taking apps in the past two years, and I am here to share the benefits and limitations of each tool to ensure you make the right choice.

These are the key points that I explored during the Anytype vs Notion clash:

  • Anytype is a more complex note-taking app than Notion.
  • Anytype has higher security standards than Notion.
  • Anytype is great for organizing ideas and visualizing your data in a single place.
  • Notion has a more simple user interface.
  • Notion is an all-in-one app that you can utilize for note-taking, database, calendar, task, and project management.
  • Notion offers more collaboration features than Anytype.
  • You can connect Notion with +7000 apps, while Anytype does not offer integration options.

Now, let’s dive into the side-by-side comparison of Anytype vs Notion!

Key differences between Anytype and Notion

Here is a short overview of the key differences I found in the Anytype vs Notion showdown:

AnytypeNotion
Best for IndividualsIndividuals and teams
FeaturesObject-based note-taking & templates, Shared workspaces, Mindmap, Widgets, Offline accessNotes, Project management, Templates, Wikis, AI writing assistant, Calendar
User interfaceVisually appealing, but complex.Simple user interface, but the tons of features might feel overwhelming at first
IntegrationsNo integrationsExtensive integrations (+7,000)
PricingFree plan: Available
Builder plan: $99 per year
Co-Creator plan: $299 for 3 years
Business plan: Upon request
Free plan: Available
Plus plan: €9.5 per month per user
Business plan: €14 per month per user
Enterprise plan: Custom pricing
Mobile appAvailableAvailable
Offline versionYesNo
G2 ratingsNot enough data yet4.7

Comparison: Anytype vs Notion

First, I will show you both note-taking apps’ features one by one. Second, I will guide you through their user interfaces, integration options, and pricing. Lastly, I will show you the pros and cons of Notion and Anytype and their alternatives and reveal my pick.

Key features

Anytype’s features

Let’s start with Anytype’s features!

Object-based note-taking & templates
Anytype review - objects

Anytype’s note-taking system is built upon objects. Whenever you add a new note, it will qualify as an object, and Anytype will use the template related to that specific object.

In the word of Anytype, everything you see and interact with is an object. Whether you add a page, image, text, file, or task, they are all objects in this note-taking app. Similarly to Notion, you can quickly add an object if you press the “slash” button.

In this Anytype tutorial, I will show you how Anytype works in 6 minutes.

The templates are saved content structures for specific object types. So, if you want to add a new object, Anytype will always use the related template, which significantly speeds up the process. You can also create templates for your objects.

Shared workspaces
Anytype review - spaces

The Spaces you create or share will be stored in your vault. The space is the place where you find your notes and databases. You can create separate Spaces, a maximum of 10. On the left side of the screen, you can access your Spaces or create new ones.

The shared workspaces work great when it comes to team collaboration. It allows you to work together in real-time with your team members.

The shared workspaces offer a place to build a project with your team.

Mindmaps
Anytype's mindmap

The mind mapping shows the big picture in type. Using the relations and links, Anytype can visualize the connections between your databases. It is among the most useful features for overviewing how your notes connect.

Thanks to the graphs view and the way you can connect ideas with relations, Anytype offers a fantastic solution for personal knowledge management.

Widgets

Your sidebar includes customizable widgets that allow you to preview and navigate your objects. You can edit your widgets if you click on the “Edit widgets” button at the bottom of your sidebar. When you click on it, Anytype will show you the options to add or remove widgets from your sidebar.

With the widgets, you can quickly access and manage your favorite objects.

Offline access and data ownership

It is an offline first note-taking app that stores your data locally. After, Anytype uses a Peer-To-Peer file system that facilitates decentralized data storage across devices. So, you can access your database from your mobile as well, without an internet connection. It works on both IOS and Android.

Anytype offers maximum data privacy. It has local, on-device encryption, and you are the only one with the key to the notes. So, there is no chance that anyone would access your data.

Notion’s features

Let’s see Notion’s features!

Note-taking
Notions note-taking feature

This is one of the most popular note-taking apps, and it is not an accident, as Notion offers robust features. Just to give you a background on how this app works: You can have multiple workspaces in which you structure your notes and basically everything. For example, you can have a workspace for personal or work-related items. The workspaces include your pages.

The pages are the fundamentals of your workspaces. You can use them for notes, projects, tasks, and so on. There are no strict rules on how you structure your pages or what information you want to include in them. For instance, in my Notion’s workspace, there are pages dedicated to self-development, money plans, YouTube scripts, admin info, and notes. Now, let’s go back to note-taking!

Notion is a sophisticated text editor that allows you to easily add and organize different types of content called blocks. When writing your notes, you can add headings, sub-pages, bullet points, and tables without touching your mouse.

In your notes, you can insert images, bookmarks, videos, code, kanban board, and more by simply hitting the “/” button on your keyboard. I especially love the embedded functions. Notion offers multiple embedded forms like YouTube videos, Google Docs, Google Maps, Miro, and more.

Notion is incredibly useful for note organization and management. You can tag notes with custom keywords, add teammates, set due dates, etc. You can access all your notes with your sidebar on the left.

Project management tool
Notions project management feature

Notion also works as a lightweight task and project management software, where you can plan and execute your projects with your team. Let’s start with the project management features.

With Notion, you can visualize your projects’ workflows in different formats, from calendars to boards. Depending on the format you choose, Notion allows you to use progress bars to show how your project is moving forward. You can also create charts or visualize dependencies to see when one task is blocking another and avoid bottlenecks.

When checking your projects, you can utilize filters to show only the tasks assigned to you or the urgent ones.

Notions task managment feature

Notion’s task management features have everything that you need. You can break your projects into manageable tasks and add status, assignee, or due dates. Overall, Notion provides many team collaboration features when it comes to project and task management.

Whether you want to use Notion for project or task management, you do not have to spend hours creating the proper form for you or your team. This is where you can use the templates.

Templates
Notions templates feature (1)

Notion currently has more than 20,000 free templates from which you can browse. This is an insane number. Just to give you an example: if you want to create a to-do list, you can choose from 460 templates.

Utilizing the templates, you do not have to go through the time-consuming process of creating pages to track your projects or tasks. With a few clicks, you can insert a template you like, and you just need to add the databases.

AI writing assistant
Notions AI writing assistant feature

Notion’s AI writing assistant can greatly improve your writing by detecting errors and correcting misspelled words and incorrect grammar. But it can do much more.

On the bottom left corner of Notion, you can access the AI assistant feature that answers your questions, gives you summaries, translates your page, finds action items, and helps you improve your writing. Basically, it works like a built-in ChatGPT.

But it can do more than just work with text. The AI writing assistant’s feature can help you gather information from various file types, including PDFs and images.

Overall, these tools help you to become more efficient when taking notes.

Wikis
Notion's wiki feature

Team members often struggle to find the information they need. Using Notion, you can create your own knowledge library. These hubs can help your team members find and understand the information they need to do their jobs.

Imagine how powerful it could be when onboarding new employees or just wanting to have organized databases where your team members can access the information they need to do their jobs.

Calendar

You can connect your Google Calendar with your existing Notion workspace, so you will be able to see your meetings and appointments in your Notion calendar. Notion’s calendar is synced with your workspace, so you can make references to specific pages in the meeting invite.

Notion Calendar is available for iPhone and Android devices, and soon it will be compatible with Outlook and iCloud.

Ultimately, Notion’s calendar helps you to centralize your calendar

User interface

Now, let’s take a look at both note-taking apps’ user interfaces!

Anytype’s user interface

Anytype user interface

While the way Anytype works might seem complex, it has a simple and intuitive user interface. On the left side, you can access everything you need, from spaces, widgets, libraries, and bins. Anytype’s user interface is optimized for mobile users as well.

Notion’s user interface

Notion user interface

Notion’s user interface is simple. It has a minimalist aesthetics with white space, clear typography, and subtle colors are the focus. Even if you are a first-time Notion user, you will be able to quickly navigate the pages, as you will find every important information on the sidebar.

As you can see, Notion has many features. This is the only thing that might feel overwhelming at first. Even though I have used Notion for more than 2 years, I have not explored all its features and potential.

When working in Notion, you will quickly realize that it uses a block system that works like Lego. It transforms all the content into movable, customizable pieces, which gives you the flexibility to move these blocks around.

Integrations

It is time to check the integration options in the Anytype vs Notion battle!

Anytype’s integrations

Anytype does not support any integrations right now.

Notion’s integrations

Notion's integration

Notion offers many third-party integrations. First of all, you can connect it with Zapier, which will give you access to more than 7000 apps.

Besides the Zapier integration, you can integrate Notion with more than 100 other apps, including Asana, ClickUp, Dropbox, Google Drive, or Jira.

Pricing

Here, I will show you both note-taking apps’ pricing models to see which one is better in the Anytype vs Notion comparison.

Anytype’s pricing

Anytype pricing

Anytpe offers four plans.

The free plan includes 1 GB of network space, 3 shared spaces, and 3 space members per shared space. Using the free plan, you can sync your devices, get backup storage, and even collaborate in small groups. During my Anytype review, I also used the free plan, and I think it is ideal for your personal notes.

The builder plan is $99 per year and provides a unique name for you. It also includes 128 GB of network space, 3 shared spaces, 10 Editors per shared space, unlimited viewers per shared space, and priority support. This plan works great for small teams.

The co-creator plan is quite similar to the builder plan. However, this plan is $299 and offers 256 GB of network space, and a shorter unique name. This plan is ideal for teams.

Lastly, Anytype offers business plans upon request, where you have the option to determine the size of the network space, number of editors, or shared spaces, and gives unlimited Viewers per shared space. This plan could be fit for bigger teams.

Notion’s pricing

Notion pricing

Notion offers four pricing plans.

The free plan includes a collaborative workspace, integrations, basic page analytics, and a 7-day page history, and you can invite 10 guests. Based on my experience, Notion’s free version is totally sufficient for individuals to organize their notes and projects.

The plus plan is €9.50 per seat per month. It has unlimited blocks for teams, unlimited file uploads, 30-day page history, custom websites, automation, charts, and dashboards, and you can invite a maximum of 100 guests. The plus plan is ideal for small teams and individuals who work a lot with others.

The business plan costs you €14 per seat monthly. It offers private teamspaces, bulk PDF export, advanced page analytics, 90-day page history, and you can invite 250 guests. I recommend the business plan for bigger teams who want to utilize more advanced features.

Finally, Notion has an enterprise plan as well with custom pricing. By choosing this plan, you will receive a dedicated success manager, workspace analytics features, unlimited page history, security, and compliance integrations, and you can invite 250 guests.

Anytype’s pros and cons

Considering all the factors, let’s summarize Anytype’s pros and cons!

Pros and cons of Anytype

Anytype’s pros

Anytype stands out from a privacy perspective in the note-taking space. It is a local first note-taking app that has end-to-end encryption with high-security standards. This note-taking app offers full data ownership for the users even without an internet connection.

It provides many possibilities to organize ideas and visualize your data in a single place.

The free plan is generous. It allows 3 space members per shared space, so you can work on your projects with others.

Anytype’s cons

Honestly, it is a complex app that can be overwhelming at first. It takes time and patience to learn and understand how this note-taking app works.

Also, it is quite new in the note-taking space, and there are still features that are under development.

Notion’s pros and cons

Now, let’s take a look at Notion’s pros and cons!

Notion review - pros and cons

Notion’s pros

First, Notion is an easy-to-use note-taking app. Using its sidebar, you can access all your notes with one click.

Secondly, Notion is an all-in-one app that you can use to manage your notes, calendars, projects, tasks, knowledge hubs, and soon your emails. Notion users can replace many other apps only by using Notion’s free version.

Moreover, Notion offers robust collaboration tools. You can share your workspaces, leave comments, work on projects in real-time, mention others, assign tasks and due dates, and so on.

Furthermore, Notion has extensive tutorials on its webpage. No matter whether you want to check the basic functions or create a wiki for your company, you will find everything on Notion’s webpage.

Finally, Notion’s free plan offers enough features for individuals. Basically, I have used Notion’s free plan for more than two years, and I can access all the important features. Also, you can utilize the templates for completely free.

Notion’s cons

The biggest cons I found during my Anytype vs Notion review is that this note-taking app has no offline mode. It would be great if I could reach my notes without an internet connection.

Also, you can not protect your pages with passwords. As many of our notes could include sensitive data, it would be awesome if we could protect them with passwords.

Alternatives to Anytype and Notion

Here are some alternatives to Anytpe and Notion:

  • Xtiles: An easy-to-use note-taking app with visual boards.
  • Obsidian: A powerful note-taking app with massive backlink functions.
  • Taskade: A simple but effective note-taking app with a focus on project management.
  • NotebookLM: A note-taking and research app with a fantastic podcast feature.
  • Miro: Any easy-to-use app with an intuitive interface and many collaboration features.

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Wrap-up: Anytype vs Notion

Honestly, guys, I have used Notion for years, and I will not change it for Anytype. Anytype is a promising alternative to Notion, but it is just too complex for me. Also, I can use Notion in more workflows than just taking notes. For instance, project and task management. So, in the Anytype vs Notion comparison, Notion is the winner for me.

But, this is only my opinion, and others fell in love with Anytype.

If you love Obsidian, you will probably enjoy Anytype as well. It is a great productivity tool and a good combination of Notion and Obsidian. The way you can connect everything in your entire workspace is fantastic; it really makes personal knowledge management easy. It has a tremendous community behind this product, and it has a chance to become the best Notion alternative in the future.

Frequently asked questions

Is Notion or Anytype better?

I prefer Notion, but Anytype is also a great note-taking app. I especially love that it has high-security standards, so your database will be secured at all times.

Is Anytype the best Notion alternative?

Anytype is a fantastic Notion alternative for people who are not afraid of complex apps. Anytype is great for note-taking and building a knowledge library, as you can connect and visualize each object.

Will Anytype be free forever?

Anytype is and will remain free if you use your own backups and do not switch for bigger network space. Also, Anytype only recently launched their paid plans.

Can I use Anytype offline?

Anytype is an offline first note-taking app, so you can use it without an internet connection.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

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