MinkNote vs Notion: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between MinkNote 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 wins this matchup. Our overall Productivity pick is Meety 2.0. Our free Productivity pick is Google Calendar. Pick MinkNote if you need note-taking.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
MinkNote
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need note-taking features specifically
- • Stores all notes as plain Markdown files on your Mac, ensuring no lock-in and long-term readability.
- • Keyboard-first navigation and native macOS design for a calm, efficient note-taking experience.
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 |  MinkNote |  Notion |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Productivity |
Rating | - | 3.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose MinkNote or Notion?
Choose MinkNote if
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
- Fully native macOS app with low resource usage compared to Electron-based alternatives
- No account required and no internet needed for full functionality
- Notes are plain files you own, readable in any editor now and in the future
- 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 | MinkNote | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★3.5/5 407 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingWriting Apps | ProductivityDocumentation |
In-Depth Analysis
MinkNote
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
MinkNote's pricing is generous since it offers a full-featured 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and after the trial the app remains usable in read-only mode at no cost.
Watch out
Read-only after 14 days limits editing
Strengths
- +Fully native macOS app with low resource usage compared to Electron-based alternatives
- +No account required and no internet needed for full functionality
- +Notes are plain files you own, readable in any editor now and in the future
Weaknesses
- -Less mature feature set compared to established apps like Obsidian, with a smaller community and plugin ecosystem
- -Only available for macOS, limiting cross-platform use
Key features
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards
Notion is the Swiss army knife of productivity, docs, wikis, databases, project management, and now AI in one tool.
Watch out
Notion AI is no longer available as a standalone add-on, it is bundled into Business and Enterprise only. Plus users who want AI must upgrade from $8 to $15/user/mo annual (87% increase) or $10 to $18/user/mo monthly (80% increase)
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: MinkNote vs Notion
| Plan | MinkNote | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free for 14 days Free Trial | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $10 Plus |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $18 Business |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on MinkNote pricing and Notion pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MinkNote is free. Notion is freemium.
Go with: MinkNote
Want the highest-rated option?
Notion is rated 3.5/5. MinkNote has no ratings yet.
Go with: Notion
Value user reviews?
MinkNote: no ratings yet. Notion: 407 reviews (3.5/5).
Go with: Notion
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
MinkNote is free. Notion is freemium. Go with MinkNote if free matters most.
What's your use case?
MinkNote is a note-taking tool. Notion is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Notion is rated 3.5/5; MinkNote has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Notion
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
MinkNote
- Completely free
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Notion wins this matchup. Our overall Productivity pick is Meety 2.0. Our free Productivity pick is Google Calendar. That said, MinkNote is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MinkNote or Notion better?
Notion is rated in our evaluation. MinkNote is free and Notion is freemium.
What are MinkNote and Notion used for?
MinkNote: Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first. Notion: All-in-one workspace combining docs, wikis, databases, and project boards.
What does MinkNote cost vs Notion?
MinkNote is completely free. Notion is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.