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Comparison Guide

Notion vs Roam Research: PKM Tool Comparison 2025

Wondering whether to choose Notion or Roam Research? Our detailed comparison analyzes every aspect that matters.

Notion vs Roam Research at a Glance

Feature Notion Roam Research
Free Plan Yes Yes Limited Limited
Databases Powerful Powerful No No
Real-time Collaboration Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mobile Apps iOS & Android iOS & Android Yes Yes
API Access Yes Yes Yes Yes
Templates 10,000+ 10,000+ Varies Varies

Quick Verdict

Overview

Notion and Roam Research are both excellent tools, but they serve different needs. undefined

Key Differences

The main difference between Notion and Roam Research comes down to focus and features. Notion offers a comprehensive solution while Roam Research excels in specific areas.

Roam Research Strengths

  • Powerful bi-directional linking
  • Great for knowledge management
  • Daily notes workflow
  • Block-level references
  • Cult following and community

Roam Research Weaknesses

  • Expensive ($15/month)
  • No free tier
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited formatting options
  • No mobile apps (web only)
  • Niche use case

Pricing Comparison

Roam Research pricing: undefined. No free tier available.

Who Is Roam Research Best For?

Researchers, academics, serious PKM enthusiasts

Our Verdict

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Why Choose Notion?

Beautiful Design

Create visually stunning pages with cover images, icons, callouts, and custom styling options.

Advanced Permissions

Control access at the workspace, page, or database level. Share with specific people, teams, or make content public.

Version History

See all changes made to a page and restore previous versions. Never lose important work again.

Powerful Search

Find anything in your workspace instantly with Notion's fast, intelligent search. Search by page, title, or content.

Ready to try Notion?

Get started with Notion's free tier — no credit card required.

Get Started Free

Who Should Choose Notion?

  • You need an all-in-one workspace for notes, docs, and projects
  • You want powerful databases and custom views
  • Team collaboration is important to you
  • You prefer a generous free tier
  • You value flexibility and customization

Who Should Choose Roam Research?

  • You value powerful bi-directional linking
  • You value great for knowledge management
  • You value daily notes workflow
  • You value block-level references
  • You value cult following and community

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import data from other apps into Notion? +
Yes, Notion supports importing from Evernote, Trello, Asana, Google Docs, Word, Markdown, and CSV files. Most imports preserve structure and formatting. The import tool is available in Settings & Members > Import.
How do Notion databases work? +
Notion databases are powerful spreadsheet-like collections that can be viewed as tables, kanban boards, calendars, galleries, timelines, or lists. Each item (row) is also a page that can contain any content. Databases support relations, rollups, formulas, and filters.
Can multiple people edit Notion at the same time? +
Yes, Notion supports real-time collaboration. Multiple users can edit the same page simultaneously, see each other's cursors, leave comments, and @mention teammates. Changes sync instantly across all connected devices.
What happens if I cancel my Notion subscription? +
If you downgrade to the free plan, you keep all your content but lose access to premium features like unlimited file uploads, version history beyond 7 days, and admin tools. Your workspace remains accessible, but with free tier limitations.
Does Notion have a mobile app? +
Yes, Notion has native apps for iOS and Android that sync with web and desktop. The mobile apps support most features including editing, creating pages, and accessing databases. Some advanced features work better on desktop due to screen size.

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