Evernote vs Notion: Which One Should You Use?
Evernote and Notion are two of the most popular note-taking and productivity apps, but they serve different purposes. Evernote is a powerful, feature-rich note-catcher focused on quick capture and organization, while Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, databases, wikis, and project management. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize fast, reliable note capture or a customizable, multi-purpose tool.
Background: How Each App Started
Evernote launched in 2008 as a cloud-based note-taking app that promised to help users “remember everything.� It gained a loyal following for its powerful web clipper, OCR search (which can find text inside images), and cross-platform support. Over the years, it added features like notebooks, tags, and a robust search engine, becoming a staple for students, researchers, and professionals.
Notion arrived in 2016, positioning itself as a “connected workspace� that combines notes, tasks, databases, and wikis into one flexible tool. Its block-based editor allows users to build custom pages with text, images, tables, embeds, and more. Notion quickly became popular among startups, remote teams, and individuals who wanted a single place for notes, projects, and documentation.
How They Work: Core Concepts
Evernote uses a classic notebook-and-note structure. You create notes (which can include text, images, audio, PDFs, and web clippings), organize them into notebooks, and add tags for extra filtering. The app’s strength is its capture pipeline: you can save anything from your browser, email, or even your camera, and then find it later using powerful search that can read text inside images and PDFs.
Notion, by contrast, is built on blocks. Every page is a canvas where you can add paragraphs, headings, lists, to-do items, databases, and more. You can create relational databases that link entries to each other, build custom views (table, board, calendar, gallery, list), and even embed external content like Google Drive files or Figma prototypes. This makes Notion incredibly flexible but also comes with a steeper learning curve.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Purpose: Evernote is primarily a note-taking and archiving tool; Notion is a full workspace for notes, projects, and databases.
- Organization: Evernote uses notebooks and tags; Notion uses pages and nested databases.
- Search: Evernote has industry-leading search, including OCR for images and PDFs; Notion’s search is basic but improving.
- Offline support: Evernote works fully offline on all platforms; Notion’s offline mode is limited to the mobile apps and only for recently viewed pages.
- Customization: Notion allows deep customization of layouts and databases; Evernote is more structured and fixed.
- Pricing: Evernote has a generous free plan with a 60MB monthly upload limit; Notion’s free plan is unlimited for personal use but limits file uploads to 5MB per file.
How to Choose: Questions to Ask Yourself
To decide, consider your primary use case. If you need a reliable place to capture and search through a high volume of information—like research notes, meeting minutes, or web articles—Evernote is likely the better fit. Its quick capture, robust search, and reliable offline access are unmatched.
If you want to build a personal wiki, manage projects, or create a system that combines notes with tasks and databases, Notion is more versatile. For example, you can create a content calendar, a CRM for freelance clients, or a reading list with progress tracking—all in one workspace.
Also think about your team. Notion shines for collaborative work because you can share pages, assign tasks, and comment in real time. Evernote also has sharing and collaboration, but it’s more limited and less intuitive for project management.
Common Problems and How to Work Around Them
Many users complain about Evernote’s sync issues and the recent price increase. In 2023, Evernote raised its subscription prices after being acquired by Bending Spoons, and some users reported slower sync and a less responsive app. If you rely on Evernote, keep your app updated and consider exporting important notes regularly as a backup.
Notion’s biggest complaints are its steep learning curve and lack of offline access on desktop. To ease the learning curve, start with a simple setup—maybe a few pages for notes and tasks—and gradually add databases as you get comfortable. For offline use, you can install the mobile app and mark critical pages as “available offline,� but you’ll still need an internet connection for the desktop version.
Costs and Free Tiers
Both apps have free plans, but they differ in limits. Evernote’s free plan lets you create unlimited notes but restricts uploads to 60MB per month and syncs across only two devices. Paid plans (Personal and Professional) remove those limits and add features like offline access, PDF annotation, and more.
Notion’s free plan is generous for individual use: unlimited pages and blocks, sharing with up to 5 guests, and a 5MB file upload limit per file. Paid plans (Plus, Business, and Enterprise) add unlimited file uploads, more guest seats, and advanced permissions. For most individuals, Notion’s free plan is sufficient.
Safety and Data Privacy
Both apps take security seriously, but there are differences. Evernote offers end-to-end encryption for note text and attachments, but it’s only available on paid plans. Notion does not offer end-to-end encryption; it uses encryption in transit and at rest, but the company can technically access your data. If you handle highly sensitive information, Evernote’s encryption feature is a plus.
Also consider data export. Both apps allow you to export your data in common formats (HTML, PDF, Markdown for Notion; ENEX and HTML for Evernote). It’s wise to periodically export your notes as a backup, especially if you’re on a free plan and might lose access to features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import my Evernote notes into Notion?
Yes, Notion has a built-in importer that lets you import Evernote notes directly. You’ll need to export your Evernote notebooks as ENEX files and then upload them to Notion. The process is straightforward, but be aware that some formatting (like tables and attachments) may not transfer perfectly.
Which app is better for students?
It depends on your study style. Evernote is great for capturing lecture slides, recording audio, and searching through notes quickly. Notion is better for creating a comprehensive study hub with class notes, task lists, and a database of resources. Many students use Notion for its flexibility, but Evernote’s OCR search is a huge advantage when dealing with scanned documents.
Is Notion free for students?
Notion offers a free plan for all users, but it also has a special education plan that gives students and educators access to the Plus plan for free. You just need a valid school email address to sign up. Evernote also has a discounted student plan, but it’s not free.
Does Evernote work offline?
Yes, Evernote works offline on all desktop and mobile apps. You can view and edit notes without an internet connection, and changes will sync when you’re back online. Notion’s offline support is limited to mobile apps, and only for pages you’ve recently opened.
Which app has better collaboration features?
Notion is generally considered better for collaboration because it allows real-time editing, comments, and shared databases. Evernote also supports sharing and collaboration, but it’s more oriented toward individual note-taking. If your team needs to work on documents together, Notion is the stronger choice.
Can I use both Evernote and Notion together?
Yes, some people use Evernote for quick capture and archival, then move important notes to Notion for long-term organization and project management. You can even automate this with tools like Zapier or IFTTT, but it’s often simpler to pick one as your primary tool and stick with it.
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