illumi vs Milanote: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between illumi and Milanote 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
illumi
AI visual workspace that transforms scattered ideas into structured, publish-ready output.
Best for you if:
- • AI visual workspace for structuring ideas and managing AI context.
- • Combines ideation, note-taking, and AI synthesis in one platform.
Milanote
Organize your creative projects
Best for you if:
- • Visual workspace for organizing creative projects with drag-and-drop boards, web clipping, and collaboration
- • Designed for designers, filmmakers, writers, and marketers, used by Nike, Netflix, and Google
| At a Glance |  illumi |  Milanote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | - | 4.6/5 |
Choose illumi or Milanote?
Choose illumi if
AI visual workspace that transforms scattered ideas into structured, publish-ready output.
- Integrates ideation, note-taking, and AI generation in a single platform.
- Offers precise control over the context provided to AI models.
- Facilitates seamless collaboration and input collection from multiple participants.
Choose Milanote if
Organize your creative projects
- Visual-first interface mirrors how creative professionals actually think
- Free plan is generous enough for individual projects
- Extremely intuitive, no learning curve for new users
| Feature | illumi | Milanote |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.6/5 105 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityAI Assistants | ProductivityNote-Taking |
In-Depth Analysis
illumi
AI visual workspace that transforms scattered ideas into structured, publish-ready output.
Strengths
- +Integrates ideation, note-taking, and AI generation in a single platform.
- +Offers precise control over the context provided to AI models.
- +Facilitates seamless collaboration and input collection from multiple participants.
- +Allows for deep, focused writing within the visual workspace without losing overall structure.
- +Supports a wide range of advanced AI models.
Weaknesses
- -Team features are still 'coming soon', limiting current large-team functionality.
- -The number of context boards and AI invocations are limited on lower tiers.
- -Advanced AI models and longer history retention are exclusive to paid plans.
Key features
Milanote
Organize your creative projects
Strengths
- +Visual-first interface mirrors how creative professionals actually think
- +Free plan is generous enough for individual projects
- +Extremely intuitive, no learning curve for new users
- +Industry-specific templates accelerate project setup
- +Real-time collaboration works smoothly for remote teams
Weaknesses
- -Free plan limited to 100 notes, images, or links
- -No offline mode, requires internet connection
- -Limited project management features compared to dedicated PM tools
- -Search and organization can get unwieldy on very large boards
- -No native calendar or timeline view
Key features
Pricing: illumi vs Milanote
| Plan | illumi | Milanote |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Starter | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $12/mo Pro | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $TBA/seat/mo Team | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Design Partner | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on illumi pricing and Milanote pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: illumi
Want the highest-rated option?
Milanote is rated 4.6/5. illumi has no ratings yet.
Go with: Milanote
Value user reviews?
illumi: no ratings yet. Milanote: 105 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Milanote
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are productivity tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Milanote is rated 4.6/5; illumi has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
illumi
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Milanote
- Choose if you want organize your creative projects
The Bottom Line
illumi is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illumi or Milanote better?
illumi is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are illumi and Milanote used for?
illumi: AI visual workspace that transforms scattered ideas into structured, publish-ready output.. Milanote: Organize your creative projects.
What does illumi cost vs Milanote?
illumi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Milanote is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.