Do not index
Do not index
In a world full of productivity tools and platforms claiming to revolutionize the way you work, it's hard to separate the truth from the hype. And Notion has definitely generated quite a bit of hype.
In this 100 School review, we'll be taking a closer look at this all-in-one workspace—what it offers, how to use it, and whether it lives up to the buzz. We'll also be sharing a few of the ways Notion helps no-code entrepreneurs create, automate, and manage their projects.
Ready? Let's dive in.
What is Notion?
Summing up Notion quickly can be a bit tricky.
Notion began its life as a (relatively) simple note-taking app. Today, it's something else entirely—something that's pretty unique in the current “productivity app” landscape.
We'll dive deeper into specific features in a bit, but for now, it's enough to say that Notion is an all-in-one organizational tool. It can handle everything from note-taking and task lists to project management, databases, scheduling… even generative AI.
In short, it's an incredibly versatile tool that can help you stay organized in all aspects of your life—both personal and professional.
How it works
While Notion does a lot of things, it isn't too complex in terms of how its many features fit together.
Notion is built around pages—blank canvases you can fill with:
- subpages
- text
- images, videos & GIFs
- task lists & checklists
- databases
- calendars & timelines
- forms & surveys
- embedded content (e.g., from apps like YouTube, Spotify, etc.)
Most of these elements are super easy to insert and use—it's as simple as typing “/” followed by the element you want. For example, typing “/to-do” will insert a checklist into your page, while “/form” will insert a Typeform.
Who is Notion for?
As a frequent Notion user, I'm confident that pretty much anyone can benefit from this tool.
The use cases that tend to get brought up in the context of Notion are the obvious ones—professional teams and students. But I think it's also an excellent tool for practically anyone looking to get organized—whether that's small business owners, freelancers, families, bloggers… the list goes on.
Notion key features
Alright, it's time for the main event—features.
1. Task & project management
One of Notion's best sets of features (in my opinion, at least) is its task and project management capabilities.
Creating a simple to-do list is as easy as adding a database to a blank page and adding the “Status” property to it. Want to add a column for assignees? Due dates (with reminders)? Priority? Project assets and files? No problem—just add the corresponding properties.
Every task you add to your Notion to-do list is a full page in its own right, meaning you can open it up and add subpages, images, videos… anything you need to help complete that task.
And finally, the data you enter is highly flexible thanks to a range of views at your disposal—including:
- table
- board
- calendar
- list view
- gallery
- timeline
These help you get a better visual overview of your tasks and projects and make it easier to find the information you're looking for at a glance.
2. Databases & data management
We covered databases, but task management only showcases a few of Notion's many data-related features.
Notion databases come with a range of properties you can use to store, organize, and manage your information—some of which we've covered already. Others include:
- text
- numbers
- checkboxes
- selects & multi-selects
- roll-ups
- formulas
- phone numbers
- URLs
Any property you add to a database can then be used to filter and sort the pages you create.
You can even create your own advanced filters by combining one or more properties with conditional statements (e.g., “if”, “and”, “greater than”, etc.)—perfect for quickly finding the data you need.
And last but not least, Notion databases can be relational. You can link multiple databases and page elements together so that changes to one instance automatically update others.
3. Embeds & integrations
You can embed “virtually any online content within Notion pages” according to Notion. In my experience, that's pretty accurate.
Whenever I've wanted to add something to a Notion page—whether it was a Spotify playlist or a PDF—I've been able to do so by entering the URL or uploading the file. Plus, Notion has a pretty sizable list of dedicated embed blocs for apps like Slack, ClickUp, Jira, and PagerDuty.
In addition, Notion has a range of integrations you can use to connect your account with other services and apps like Slack, Twitter, Dropbox, Google Drive, Zapier… the list goes on. These integrations add extra functionality to Notion, making it easier to collaborate and stay organized.
4. Templates
One of the best ways to get the most out of Notion is by taking advantage of its templates.
For starters, there are basic workspaces created by the Notion team for your more basic use cases—things like CRMs and editorial calendars.
Have a more niche use case in mind? No problem—there are hundreds (probably thousands) of community-made templates to choose from in the Template Gallery.
One cool example is The Entertainer (by Jonathan Sabbah). It not only stores movies, TV shows, and music that you like, but it also serves up new suggestions using Notion AI.
5. Collaboration
Collaboration is another area where Notion shines. You can easily share entire pages (including sub-pages) with other users, as well as assign tasks and add comments—all without leaving the page you're working on.
Notion also offers a variety of collaboration tools, including:
- @ mentions & notifications
- settings to control who can access/edit what
- version history
- comments & reactions
So whether you're working on a project with colleagues, or just need a way to keep track of family events, Notion makes collaboration effortless.
Notion pros & cons
Pros
- Great note-taking capabilities
- Very easy to customize
- Affordable pricing
- Solid task tracking
- Syncs across devices
- Free version has a good set of features
Cons
- Lacks advanced project management features
- Can occasionally be slow
- Formatting when copying and pasting can be sporadic
Notion Pricing
Notion is a freemium tool with four plans available.
- Free: Unlimited blocks for individuals, limited block trial for teams, collaborative workspace, integration with Slack, GitHub & more, basic page analytics, 7-day page history, and 10 guests.
- Plus ($8/mo): Everything in Free, unlimited blocks for teams, unlimited file uploads, 30-day page history, and 100 guests.
- Business ($15/mo): Everything in Plus, SAML SSO, private teamspaces, bulk PDF export, advanced page analytics, 90-day page history, and 250 guests.
- Enterprise: Everything in Business, user provisioning (SCIM), advanced security & controls, audit log, dedicated success manager (100+ seats), workspace analytics, unlimited page history, and a custom guest limit.
What’s the verdict?
Notion is a great tool with very few flaws regarding features and capabilities. The pricing plans also offer plenty of options for users—from Free to Enterprise. I see Notion as a powerful no-code tool that can be used by any individual or team for a wide range of purposes.
There are plenty of other no-code tools out there, though. If you’re curious about what else is out there, 100 School is here to help. We connect no-code beginners (and veterans) with reviews, resources, challenges, and bootcamps that introduce them to the world of no-code.
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