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This is a great explainer on how and why Notion is so powerful, and certainly helps explain why it doesn't feel like the fastest tool (because it's inherently m

This is a great explainer on how and why Notion is so powerful, and certainly helps explain why it doesn't feel like the fastest tool (because it's inherently more complicated and more powerful than most). I've tried using it for personal notes but it's speed and lack of offline prevented me from migrating to it. But I think it's the best choice for any organization that needs a collaborative docuement/wiki/Confluence-esque tool. Not to mention that I think it has the best default fonts, spacing, and general aesthetic of any tool I can think of.

wafflez 5y ago
May I ask what you _do_ use for your personal notes instead? I'm always on the lookout for a new tool or workflow for my notes.
- imilk 5y ago
  Google Keep has been pretty sufficient for my needs. Nice search feature, able to capture things quickly when on a call or out and about. Not the most fully featured, but good for remembering things a few days or a week from now
- nxc18 5y ago
  I’m not the person you asked, but I evaluated and passed on Notion (and Coda, and Airtable) for similar reasons. I need a system that syncs, works offline, helps capture structured-ish data, is quick+flexible, and has fabulous linking. I discovered and am currently using Obsidian.Md. I use Ulysses to access and edit on iPhone+iPad. I love that it is markdown-based, linking is super easy, and everything is fast. Cons: doesn’t work super well with native macOS features (e.g. services), native app for iOS/Android is still in private beta, and I don’t like the separation between edit and view modes. Also it could probably use a stronger UI for database-like features (e.g. tags). I wish there were better options for inking on mobile, but that’s not really their thing. Previously was a OneNote devotee, but as I get into more complicated community engagement work, I needed something that could cross-link and find patterns.
  - scubbo 5y ago
    I appreciate this write-up! I've been considering a migration from Evernote to Obsidian/Notion/other-competitor for a while as Evernote's UI gets steadily worse, and this reconfirms my perspective that Obsidian is leading the pack. Thanks!
  - input_sh 5y ago
    > I wish there were better options for inking on mobile Mobile beta is pretty similar to the desktop app. Like even most of the plugins I use work fine on my phone. The only real complaint I have is that it's kinda slow to start on a phone. Not as slow as Notion, but still takes a few seconds. > and I don’t like the separation between edit and view modes. That's next on the roadmap after apps become polished enough to exit the beta. Public roadmap: https://trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap https://trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap
  - sshumaker 5y ago
    I use Bear on the Mac. Super simple, works on iOS too, fast, syncs cleanly.
- spamizbad 5y ago
  Emacs org mode is worth a shot.
- Karunamon 5y ago
  I used Trilium Notes for a long time before shifting to Notion. It checks all the freedom boxes and is very customizable, without being alien like emacs.
- jonpurdy 5y ago
  OP here. I finally ditched Evernote when they made the Mac app Electron. I've tried Obsidian but it didn't stick (and it's Electron), but hear very good things about it. I decided on DevonThink since it closely resembled what I used Evernote for but ditched it after just a month due to to bad iOS apps, weird default formatting issues, hostile developers (license covers max 2 computers, and refusal to support a few basic things). Stumbled upon Ulysses and I've been using it since then. Excellent plain text/Markdown support (you can turn off the markdown formats you don't want to use), sensible default fonts and such, fast and native Mac app, great iOS apps, etc.
- sgarman 5y ago
  For personal, non shared stuff I really like the graph style apps, Roam is the one I'm using right now but there are a few out there now. Not "demanding" a hierarchy like notion etc do and everything having "backlinks" automatically is really a game changer.
- throayobviousl 5y ago
  Apple notes Google docs Trello

wafflez 5y ago

May I ask what you _do_ use for your personal notes instead? I'm always on the lookout for a new tool or workflow for my notes.

imilk 5y ago
Google Keep has been pretty sufficient for my needs. Nice search feature, able to capture things quickly when on a call or out and about. Not the most fully featured, but good for remembering things a few days or a week from now
nxc18 5y ago
I’m not the person you asked, but I evaluated and passed on Notion (and Coda, and Airtable) for similar reasons. I need a system that syncs, works offline, helps capture structured-ish data, is quick+flexible, and has fabulous linking. I discovered and am currently using Obsidian.Md. I use Ulysses to access and edit on iPhone+iPad. I love that it is markdown-based, linking is super easy, and everything is fast. Cons: doesn’t work super well with native macOS features (e.g. services), native app for iOS/Android is still in private beta, and I don’t like the separation between edit and view modes. Also it could probably use a stronger UI for database-like features (e.g. tags). I wish there were better options for inking on mobile, but that’s not really their thing. Previously was a OneNote devotee, but as I get into more complicated community engagement work, I needed something that could cross-link and find patterns.
- scubbo 5y ago
  I appreciate this write-up! I've been considering a migration from Evernote to Obsidian/Notion/other-competitor for a while as Evernote's UI gets steadily worse, and this reconfirms my perspective that Obsidian is leading the pack. Thanks!
- input_sh 5y ago
  > I wish there were better options for inking on mobile Mobile beta is pretty similar to the desktop app. Like even most of the plugins I use work fine on my phone. The only real complaint I have is that it's kinda slow to start on a phone. Not as slow as Notion, but still takes a few seconds. > and I don’t like the separation between edit and view modes. That's next on the roadmap after apps become polished enough to exit the beta. Public roadmap: https://trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap https://trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap
- sshumaker 5y ago
  I use Bear on the Mac. Super simple, works on iOS too, fast, syncs cleanly.
spamizbad 5y ago
Emacs org mode is worth a shot.
Karunamon 5y ago
I used Trilium Notes for a long time before shifting to Notion. It checks all the freedom boxes and is very customizable, without being alien like emacs.
jonpurdy 5y ago
OP here. I finally ditched Evernote when they made the Mac app Electron. I've tried Obsidian but it didn't stick (and it's Electron), but hear very good things about it. I decided on DevonThink since it closely resembled what I used Evernote for but ditched it after just a month due to to bad iOS apps, weird default formatting issues, hostile developers (license covers max 2 computers, and refusal to support a few basic things). Stumbled upon Ulysses and I've been using it since then. Excellent plain text/Markdown support (you can turn off the markdown formats you don't want to use), sensible default fonts and such, fast and native Mac app, great iOS apps, etc.
sgarman 5y ago
For personal, non shared stuff I really like the graph style apps, Roam is the one I'm using right now but there are a few out there now. Not "demanding" a hierarchy like notion etc do and everything having "backlinks" automatically is really a game changer.
throayobviousl 5y ago
Apple notes Google docs Trello