Top 10 Free Alternatives to Notion in 2025

As Notion has become a powerhouse in the realm of productivity and note-taking tools, 2025 has presented various alternatives that cater to diverse needs and preferences. Whether you require robust project management, simple note-taking, or team collaboration, this article outlines ten of the best free alternatives to Notion, highlighting their key features and benefits.

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1. ClickUp

Description: A versatile project management tool offering an all-in-one workspace. It includes task management, project tracking, note-taking, and collaboration features.
Free Plan: Offers a robust free plan with many features.
AI Features: Includes AI-powered tools to enhance productivity.
Customization: Highly customizable workflows and views.
Task Management: Comprehensive task management with subtasks, priorities, and deadlines.
Reporting: Offers detailed reporting capabilities. Learn more about ClickUp

2. Trello

Description: A visual project management tool based on Kanban boards, ideal for simple task management and workflow visualization.
Free Plan: Has a free plan with unlimited boards.
Kanban Boards: Uses a simple board-and-card system.
Ease of Use: Known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Collaboration: Allows team collaboration and progress tracking.
Flexibility: Highly flexible for different types of projects and workflows. Discover Trello

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3. Asana

Description: A project management tool designed for team collaboration and task management, with a focus on workflows.
Free Version: Offers a free plan suitable for small teams.
Task Management: Features task assignments and deadline tracking.
Multiple Views: Provides list, board, and calendar views.
Collaboration: Supports team communication and updates.
Integrations: Integrates with third-party tools. Explore Asana

4. Microsoft OneNote

Description: A free-form note-taking app that allows for typing, handwriting, drawing, and web content integration.
Free: Completely free to use.
Multi-Device Sync: Syncs across multiple devices.
Collaboration: Supports collaboration with others.
Flexible Input: Accommodates typing, handwriting, and drawing.
Web Integration: Allows content incorporation from the web. Learn more about Microsoft OneNote

5. Google Keep

Description: A simple and free note-taking app for quick notes, reminders, and lists.
Free: Completely free to use with a Google account.
Simple Interface: Straightforward and easy-to-use.
Google Workspace Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace.
Color Coding: Allows color-coded notes for organization.
Voice Memos: Supports voice memo input. Discover Google Keep

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6. Todoist

Description: A task management app focused on personal productivity and project organization, known for its simplicity.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan for basic task management.
Simple Design: Designed to be simple and easy to use.
Project Management: Good for managing projects and sharing knowledge.
Focus: Helps users stay focused and organized.
Multiple Platforms: Syncs across devices. Explore Todoist

7. Zoho Projects

Description: Cloud-based project management software offering task management, time tracking, document sharing and collaboration tools.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan for up to three users.
Time Tracking: Includes time tracking tools.
Mobile App: Has mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Collaboration Features: Includes chat and task comments.
Cost Effective: One of the best inexpensive job tracking software solutions. Learn more about Zoho Projects

8. Miro

Description: A visual collaboration platform ideal for brainstorming, whiteboarding, and project planning with remote teams.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limited boards.
Visual Workspace: Uses a flexible interface for visual collaboration.
Collaboration: Supports live collaboration.
AI assistance: Has built in AI for summarizing brainstorming sessions.
Versatile Tools: Includes sticky notes, flowcharts, and more. Discover Miro

9. Evernote

Description: A note-taking app known for its organization and searchability, offering a feature-rich service with syncing across devices.
Free Basic Plan: Limited to 60MB of new uploads per month and sync across two devices.
Organization: Tagged notebook organization.
Multiple media: Supports photos, videos, to-do lists and more.
Searchability: Offers strong search functionality.
Web Clipping: Can be used for saving content from the web. Explore Evernote

10. Simplenote

Description: A distraction-free note-taking app that focuses on plain text and syncs across multiple devices.
Free: Free to use.
Cross-Platform: Syncs across multiple devices including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web browsers.
Plain Text Focus: Focuses on simple, plain text note-taking.
Version History: Offers version history.
Automatic Sync: Automatically updates notes in real-time across all devices Learn more about Simplenote

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FAQ

1. What is ClickUp?

ClickUp is a versatile project management tool offering an all-in-one workspace. It includes task management, project tracking, note-taking, and collaboration features. Learn more about ClickUp

2. How does Trello work?

Trello is a visual project management tool based on Kanban boards, ideal for simple task management and workflow visualization. Explore Trello

3. Is Asana free to use?

Asana offers a free plan suitable for small teams, with features like task assignments and deadline tracking. Learn more about Asana

4. Can I use Microsoft OneNote for free?

Yes, Microsoft OneNote is completely free to use and allows for typing, handwriting, drawing, and web content integration. Discover Microsoft OneNote

5. What are the features of Google Keep?

Google Keep is a simple and free note-taking app for quick notes, reminders, and lists. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and supports voice memo input. Explore Google Keep

6. What is Todoist best for?

Todoist is a task management app focused on personal productivity and project organization, known for its simplicity. Learn more about Todoist

7. What does Zoho Projects offer?

Zoho Projects is a cloud-based project management software that includes task management, time tracking, document sharing, and collaboration tools. Discover Zoho Projects

8. How is Miro useful?

Miro is a visual collaboration platform ideal for brainstorming, whiteboarding, and project planning with remote teams. Explore Miro

9. What makes Evernote unique?

Evernote is known for its organization and searchability, offering features like tagged notebook organization and the ability to save content from the web. Learn more about Evernote

10. Why should I use Simplenote?

Simplenote is a distraction-free note-taking app that focuses on plain text and syncs across multiple devices, offering version history and real-time updates. Discover Simplenote

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.