Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Comparison: Head-to-head analysis
5 min read
Comparison

Joplin vs Notion

Complete comparison guide to help you choose the right productivity tool for your needs.

Joplin
4.9
14 reviews
Free tier available
Full Review Try Free
VS
Notion
4.3
318,147 reviews
Free tier available
Full Review Try Free
01

The Winner

Our Pick

Notion

Wins for overall value, user satisfaction, and Flexible docs and knowledge management.

4.3 Rating
Yes Free Tier
Free Starting Price
35M+ Users
Read Full Review Try Notion Still consider Joplin
02

Quick Comparison

Criteria Joplin Notion
Starting Price Free tier Best Free tier
User Rating 4.9 Best 4.3
Review Count 14 318,147 Best
Free Trial No No
Annual Discount N/A 20% Best
Best For Privacy-focused note-takers Flexible docs and knowledge management
03

Feature Breakdown

Feature Comparison

Capability Joplin Notion
Calendar Integration Syncs with major calendars
— ✓
Meeting Management Meeting scheduling and coordination
— ✓
Team Collaboration Multi-user and team features
✓ ✓
Task Management Task tracking and prioritization
✓ ✓
AI Assistant/Chat AI-powered conversational features
✓ —

Joplin

Strengths
  • Truly free and open-source
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Offline-first design
  • Self-hosting options
Limitations
  • Basic collaboration
  • Utilitarian interface
  • Search limitations
Full Joplin Review →

Notion

Strengths
  • Unmatched flexibility
  • Multi-model AI agents
  • Tool consolidation
  • Excellent template ecosystem
Limitations
  • Steep learning curve
  • AI locked to higher tiers
  • Mobile app limitations
Full Notion Review →
04

Joplin Overview

Best for: Privacy-focused users, developers, and open-source advocates needing offline-first note-taking with encryption. Not ideal for: Teams needing real-time collaboration. The free tier is fully featured-paid plans ($2.99-$7.99/mo) add cloud sync convenience.

Best For:

  • Privacy-focused note-takers
  • Developers and technical users comfortable with Markdown
  • Open-source advocates who want data ownership
  • Users needing offline-first access to notes
  • Students and educators (50% discount available)
  • Personal knowledge management (PKM) systems
  • Multi-platform users (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)
  • Users wanting to self-host their notes
Read Full Joplin Review
05

Notion Overview

Notion is an all-in-one workspace combining notes, docs, wikis, and project management with powerful AI Agents. Best for teams wanting flexible documentation and knowledge management. The Business plan at $18/mo unlocks multi-model AI with autonomous capabilities. Expect a learning curve but excellent long-term value.

Best For:

  • Flexible docs and knowledge management
  • Organizations consolidating multiple tools into one workspace
  • Content creators building custom workflows
  • Startups and small teams seeking all-in-one solutions
  • Students and educators (free Plus plan)
  • Individual users and personal productivity
Read Full Notion Review
06

Our Verdict

4.3/5
Winner Rating

Notion is our top pick for most users, thanks to its overall value proposition. However, Joplin remains a solid choice if you need Privacy-focused note-takers.

Try Notion Free
07

Joplin vs Notion FAQ

Both Joplin and Notion are excellent tools. Joplin is better for Privacy-focused note-takers, while Notion excels at Flexible docs and knowledge management. Your choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Joplin pricing: Free tier available. Notion pricing: Free tier available. Pricing varies, but compare features at each tier to find the best value for your needs.
Yes, many teams use multiple tools for different purposes. Joplin might handle Privacy-focused note-takers, while Notion covers Flexible docs and knowledge management. Check integration options for both tools.
Both offer robust support. Joplin provides standard support, while Notion offers comprehensive support. Enterprise plans typically include dedicated support for both.
Consider switching if Notion better fits your current needs. Key factors: Flexible docs and knowledge management, pricing alignment, and team workflow compatibility. We recommend trialing Notion before making a full switch.
08

Related Comparisons

Joplin Alternatives Notion Alternatives Joplin Pricing Notion Pricing