Notion vs Roam Research: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Notion and Roam Research? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Choose Notion if you want:
- Extremely flexible and customizable
- Great for both personal and team use
- Excellent template gallery
Choose Roam Research if you want:
- Revolutionary linking system
- Powerful for research
- Active community
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Notion | Roam Research |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9.2/10 | 8/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $15/mo |
| Category | Note-Taking Apps | Note-Taking Apps |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, Windows |
| Founded | 2016 | 2017 |
Key Features
Notion Features
- Block-based editor
- Databases & tables
- Templates
- Team collaboration
- API & integrations
- Web clipper
- Offline mode
- AI assistant
Roam Research Features
- Bidirectional links
- Block references
- Daily notes
- Graph overview
- Queries
- Version history
- Encrypted notes
- Block embeds
Pros & Cons
Notion
Pros
- + Extremely flexible and customizable
- + Great for both personal and team use
- + Excellent template gallery
- + Strong API ecosystem
- + Generous free tier
Cons
- - Can be overwhelming for beginners
- - Mobile app could be faster
- - Offline mode has limitations
- - Learning curve for advanced features
Roam Research
Pros
- + Revolutionary linking system
- + Powerful for research
- + Active community
- + Great for interconnected thinking
Cons
- - Expensive pricing
- - Steep learning curve
- - No free tier
- - Limited formatting options
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Notion and Roam Research are excellent note-taking apps tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Notion if: You value extremely flexible and customizable and great for both personal and team use.
It's best for freelancers and teams.
Choose Roam Research if: You prioritize revolutionary linking system and powerful for research.
It's ideal for researchers and academics.
Notion vs Roam Research FAQ
It depends on your needs. Notion (9.2/10) excels at extremely flexible and customizable, while Roam Research (8/10) is known for revolutionary linking system. Notion has the higher overall rating.
Notion is more budget-friendly. Notion has a free tier, while Roam Research starts at $15/mo.
Yes, many users combine Notion and Roam Research in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Notion handles your block-based editor while Roam Research manages bidirectional links.
Notion offers: Block-based editor, Databases & tables, Templates. Roam Research provides: Bidirectional links, Block references, Daily notes. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Notion has a steeper learning curve. Roam Research has a steeper learning curve. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Notion is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Roam Research supports Web, macOS, Windows. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Notion is designed with teams in mind. Roam Research is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Roam Research's strengths (Revolutionary linking system, Powerful for research) address pain points you have with Notion. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Roam Research with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs $15/mo), Focus (Note-Taking Apps vs Note-Taking Apps), Platforms (5 vs 3 platforms).
Notion users love: Extremely flexible and customizable, Great for both personal and team use. Common complaints: Can be overwhelming for beginners. Roam Research users appreciate: Revolutionary linking system, Powerful for research. Common issues: Expensive pricing.