Why I Left Notion for NotepadOne (And Never Looked Back)

After spending 3 years building elaborate Notion databases and wikis, I realized something: I wasn't taking notes anymore—I was managing a system.

The Problem with Notion for Personal Notes

Don't get me wrong—Notion is incredible for team wikis, project management, and databases. But for simple personal note-taking? It's overkill.

What I Struggled With:

•Spending more time organizing than writing - Too many database properties, templates, and structure decisions
•Slow load times - Especially on mobile or spotty WiFi
•Privacy concerns - All notes stored on Notion's servers, no offline-first option
•$10/month felt expensive - Just for personal notes

What I Actually Needed

When I stepped back, I realized my actual needs were simple:

Quick capture - Just open and start typing, no template decisions
Privacy - Notes should stay on my device by default
Works offline - I don't want to depend on WiFi to access my thoughts
Basic organization - Folders and search, not databases

Why NotepadOne Was Perfect

NotepadOne gave me exactly what I needed, without the bloat:

What Changed:

✅ Zero friction

Open the app, start typing. No account, no templates, no decisions.

✅ Actually private

Notes stay on my device by default. I control where they go.

✅ Works everywhere

Offline-first means I can write on planes, in basements, anywhere.

✅ 70% cheaper

$2.99/month vs Notion's $10/month. That's $84/year saved.

The Bottom Line

Notion is fantastic for what it does. But I don't need a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store. For personal note-taking, NotepadOne's simplicity is its superpower.

I still use Notion for team wikis and project databases. But for my daily journal, meeting notes, and quick thoughts? NotepadOne wins every time.

Should You Switch?

If you primarily use Notion for personal notes (not team wikis or databases), try NotepadOne. It's free, works offline, and you'll know in 5 minutes if it clicks.

Try NotepadOne Free