Notion overview: Essentially the most customizable productiveness app round

Value When Reviewed

From $10 a month

Finest Costs At this time: Notion

In case you’re in or across the tech house (like a discerning Macworld reader could be), then you will have heard of Notion. What initially seems to be a (very succesful) note-taking app is definitely way more, however ask anybody who makes use of it recurrently what they use it for and you may count on multiple use.

That’s as a result of Notion, whereas it initially looks like a helpful doc editor, is a strong database creation suite that options an entire host of options, and now has integrations with standalone Mail and Calendar apps developed by the identical staff, too.

I’ve been utilizing Notion for a few years to handle my small enterprise, but additionally to log books and films I need to watch, playing cards I need to acquire, and way more. In that point, I’ve consulted dozens of tutorials in an effort to show it into the productiveness device I wished it to be, and whereas there’s satisfaction in that course of, others will undoubtedly be turned off by the concept of spending that point constructing the device earlier than utilizing it.

And but, with a really beneficiant free plan and extra options being added fairly recurrently, there’s by no means been a greater time to check out Notion.

First Impressions

Foundry

It’s price noting that whereas Notion has a Mac (and Home windows) app, it’s, in some ways, a wrapper of kinds for the online interface, proper all the way down to having the ability to refresh it with CMD + R.

On the left-hand aspect, you’ll have your sidebar, and Notion has an entire host of templates obtainable to obtain that can assist you get began. Or, you can begin with one clean web page and see the place that takes you, linking to different pages and net hyperlinks, and even permitting collaboration on paid plans (which begin at $10/£8.50 per thirty days, per consumer for those who join a yr).

The app’s free plan will sync throughout all platforms, permits for the creation of fundamental websites and types, in addition to database instruments. In actual fact, I’ve used the app for years with out paying for the additional tier which incorporates integrations with the likes of Slack, Google Drive, and Gmail, in addition to the AI options (which we’ll come to quickly).

Notion is usually a easy place to do some writing, certain, however when you begin experimenting with databases, although, you’ll see simply how malleable it may be.

Notion options

Foundry

It’s laborious to categorise Notion as a note-taking app, as a result of that basically does really feel like such a small a part of the general package deal. You should utilize it to create web sites (like my very own quite simple providing right here), and it may be a strong device for collaboration, like undertaking administration and wiki creation.

All of it begins with content material blocks, the likes of which you will have seen for those who’ve used one thing like WordPress. These can flip your textual content into lists, tables, charts and extra in just some clicks, however it’s price noting that it’s not all the time straightforward.

Foundry

After loads of trial and error, I used to be capable of construct my database simply the best way I need it, providing a Kanban board (Trello model) that strikes alongside as tasks are labored in, even factoring in some gentle automation. For instance, after I be aware a draft has been despatched, the merchandise in query strikes from my ‘In Progress’ column to ‘Performed’, and including an bill date then strikes it alongside accordingly.

Whereas there’s a tutorial that features tickboxes and a few advisable templates, there’s an terrible lot of customisation that feels overwhelming at first. Fortunately, an entire cottage trade of Notion fans and YouTubers are all the time blissful to assist, and in latest months, the builders have labored to combine a storefront for premium templates throughout the app itself (one thing dealt with by third-party websites beforehand).

Notion annoyances

Notion calls itself (amongst different issues) an AI workspace that works for you, and the veracity of that assertion will change relying in your use case.

In case you’re a paid member, you should utilize instruments like AI Assembly Notes which works throughout any video platform and turns your assembly right into a doc, or the Enterprise Search which provides search throughout not simply Notion however Slack, Jira, Github and extra.

Whereas having a chatbot helpful is likely to be helpful for some, nevertheless, I’ve discovered it to be lower than superb for my very own use case. As a part of being a contract author, I have to generate my very own invoices and assign them a quantity. If I ask Notion AI to search out the very best bill quantity on my database, it merely can’t do it, typically pulling them out of skinny air. It could enhance, but when it is advisable to verify the AI’s work for a easy process like counting upward, it is probably not superb for that state of affairs.

That stated, if I ask it after I submitted a draft of a narrative, it’s greater than able to find that data.

It’s additionally price mentioning that it is advisable to be on-line to make use of Notion. Whereas the corporate has teased an offline mode is coming, on the time of writing it’s not right here but. No Wi-FI, no Notion, and for those who come to depend upon it, that may very well be a dealbreaker.

Fortunately, the cell app for iOS and iPadOS is fairly nice, even on LTE.

Must you purchase Notion?

Notion is a strong device that takes some dedication to get probably the most out of, however it actually does really feel like probably the most customizable productiveness app round. Its AI might do with some sharpening up for comparatively easy duties, and an offline mode could be unbelievable, however there’s a cause it’s held in such excessive regard by so many tech fans.