Apple Notes vs Notion: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Apple Notes and Notion comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Notion is our overall pick for productivity workflows. Pick Apple Notes if you need note-taking.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need note-taking features specifically
- • Cross-device syncing
- • Simple note-taking
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards
Best for you if:
- • You need productivity features specifically
- • All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, projects, databases, calendar, and AI agents, used by 100M+ people
- • Free for individuals with unlimited pages; paid plans start at $10/user/month
| At a Glance |  Apple Notes |  Notion |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | 0.99/moiCloud+ 50GB | $10/moPlus |
Best For | Note-Taking | Productivity |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Apple Notes or Notion?
Choose Apple Notes if
Free note-taking for Apple users
- Free with Apple devices
- Good for quick notes
- Decent scanning
- You want a fully free tool (Notion requires payment)
- Your work is note-taking-shaped, not productivity-shaped
Choose Notion if
All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards
- Replaces multiple tools (docs, wikis, project management, databases) in one platform
- Highly flexible block-based system lets teams build custom workflows without code
- Deep AI integration, agents, search, meeting notes, and writing assistance
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not note-taking-shaped
| Feature | Apple Notes | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.1/5 14 reviews | ★4.5/5 7,191 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | ProductivityDocumentation |
In-Depth Analysis
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Strengths
- +Free with Apple devices
- +Good for quick notes
- +Decent scanning
- +Collaboration works
- +Fast sync
Weaknesses
- -Apple only
- -Limited organization
- -No Markdown
- -Basic formatting
- -Export options limited
Key features
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards
Strengths
- +Replaces multiple tools (docs, wikis, project management, databases) in one platform
- +Highly flexible block-based system lets teams build custom workflows without code
- +Deep AI integration, agents, search, meeting notes, and writing assistance
- +Generous free tier with unlimited pages and blocks for individual users
- +Massive template gallery and active community of 1.4M+ members
Weaknesses
- -Steep learning curve, flexibility can overwhelm new users and slow initial adoption
- -Performance degrades on large workspaces with thousands of nested pages
- -Offline mode limited to recently viewed and favorited pages only
- -AI features require separate paid add-on or higher-tier plan
- -No native Gantt charts or advanced resource management for complex project portfolios
Key features
Pricing: Apple Notes vs Notion
| Plan | Apple Notes | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | 0.99 iCloud+ 50GB | $10 Plus |
| Tier 3 | 2.99 iCloud+ 200GB | $18 Business |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Apple Notes pricing and Notion pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apple Notes is free. Notion is freemium.
Go with: Apple Notes
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Apple Notes
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Notion
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Apple Notes is free. Notion is freemium. Go with Apple Notes if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Apple Notes is a note-taking tool. Notion is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Notion
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (7,191 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Apple Notes
- Completely free
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Notion is our pick. That said, Apple Notes is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Notes or Notion better?
Notion is rated in our evaluation. Apple Notes is free and Notion is freemium.
What are Apple Notes and Notion used for?
Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users. Notion: All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards.
What does Apple Notes cost vs Notion?
Apple Notes is completely free. Notion is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.