Notion is powerful, but let's be honest it's way too complicated for most people. If you're tired of spending hours setting up templates instead of getting work done, you're not alone.
I fell into the same trap as thousands of other users. I discovered Notion through a YouTube video showing this gorgeous, perfectly organized workspace. I thought "This will finally solve all my productivity problems!" Three weeks later, I had spent entire weekends building databases and watching tutorials, but I was getting less actual work done than before. I realized I was spending more time organizing my productivity system than being productive. After talking to other users, I found out this exact same pattern happens to almost everyone who tries Notion.
Here are 10 simple alternatives that actually work without the learning curve.
Why Most People Quit Notion
Before we dive into alternatives, let's talk about why Notion doesn't work for everyone:
Takes forever to set up
Too many features you'll never use
Feels like work instead of helping with work
Mobile app is clunky
Here's what really happens: You start with simple notes, but then you discover databases. Then you add relations between databases. Then formulas. Before you know it, adding a simple task requires navigating through three different pages and filling out five fields. What used to take 10 seconds now takes 2 minutes. And you're not alone – this frustration is mentioned constantly in productivity communities.
The 10 Best Simple Notion Alternatives
1. Google Keep - Digital Sticky Notes Done Right
Best for: Quick notes and reminders
Google Keep is like having sticky notes that sync everywhere. You can:
Add notes in seconds
Use colors to organize
Set location-based reminders
Search through everything instantly
Price: Free
Author's Note:
I actually tried Google Keep after my Notion frustration, and it's been perfect for me. Since I'm already a Google Workspace user (formerly G Suite), everything just works seamlessly. My notes sync instantly across all my devices, and I can access them right from Gmail or Google Drive. I love using it when I need to capture a quick idea or reminder it's literally faster than grabbing a pen and paper.
But here's what I don't love about it: like many Google products, it's not super user-friendly for beginners. The interface feels a bit bare-bones, and honestly, not many people use it. When I try to share notes with colleagues or friends, they often don't even know what Google Keep is. It's one of those hidden gems that Google doesn't really promote much.
2. Apple Notes - Already on Your Phone
Best for: Apple users who want zero setup
If you have an iPhone, you already have Apple Notes. It's simple, fast, and syncs across all your devices automatically.
Key features:
Works offline
Scans documents
Locks private notes
Shared folders for teams
Price: Free
Author's Note:
Here's my honest take: I actually used Apple Notes for two years before I discovered Notion. It was my go-to for everything, meeting notes, shopping lists, random ideas. And I still use it today, but not how you'd expect.
The biggest problem with Apple Notes? Finding stuff later. I'd have hundreds of notes with titles like "Meeting notes" or "Ideas" and spend forever scrolling to find what I needed. There's a search function, but it only works if you remember the exact words you used.
So here's how I actually use Apple Notes now: it's my digital clipboard. When I'm out and about and need to quickly capture something, a business idea, a quote I heard, or directions someone gave me, I throw it in Apple Notes. Then later, when I'm at my computer, I move the important stuff to my main system.
3. Todoist - Task Management Made Easy
Best for: Actually finishing your to-do list
Todoist uses natural language, so you can type "Call mom tomorrow at 2pm" and it creates the task automatically.
Why it works:
Quick capture
Smart scheduling
Habit tracking
Works everywhere
Price: Free plan available, Premium $4/month
Author's Note:
Here's where Todoist really shines for me: it's perfect for brain dumping all those random tasks that pop into your head. You know those moments when you're in the middle of something important and suddenly remember "Oh, I need to cancel that subscription" or "I should email back that client about the meeting"?
Instead of losing focus or forgetting completely, I just quickly type it into Todoist. Something like "email John about Friday meeting" or "cancel gym membership next week." The natural language processing figures out what I mean and schedules it properly.
But here's my secret weapon: I connect Todoist to my main document system using Zapier. So when I mark certain tasks as complete, or when tasks with specific labels get added, they automatically flow into my project management system. It's like having a smart assistant that sorts my random thoughts into the right places.
This setup is perfect for tasks that aren't urgent but need to live somewhere. You know, the "someday maybe" stuff that clutters your brain but doesn't deserve a spot in your main workflow. Todoist catches it all, and automation handles the sorting.
4. Simplenote - Just Text, Nothing Else
Best for: Writers who want zero distractions
Simplenote does one thing perfectly – lets you write without getting in the way. No formatting, no images, just pure text that syncs instantly.
Perfect if you:
Get distracted by fancy features
Want lightning-fast sync
Need to focus on writing
Use multiple devices
Price: Free
5. Obsidian - Connect Your Ideas
Best for: People who think in connections
Obsidian stores notes as simple files on your computer but lets you link ideas together. It's like having a personal Wikipedia.
Key benefits:
Your files stay on your computer
Link notes with [[brackets]]
See connections visually
Works offline
Price: Free for personal use
Author's Note:
Full transparency: I don't personally use Obsidian, but I hear about it constantly in productivity communities. People either absolutely love it or find it way too complicated.
The folks who swear by Obsidian are usually researchers, writers, or people who love seeing how their ideas connect. They'll show you these amazing visual maps of their notes all linked together. It looks like a spider web of knowledge. Pretty cool, honestly.
But here's what I keep hearing from people who tried it: there's definitely a learning curve. It's not as bad as Notion, but you'll still spend time figuring out how to set it up properly. The linking system is powerful, but only if you actually use it consistently.
One friend told me she spent weeks building this elaborate note system in Obsidian, linking everything together. Then she realized she was spending more time maintaining the links than actually using her notes. Sound familiar?
That said, if you're someone who naturally thinks in connections (like you often have those "oh wait, this relates to that thing I read last month" moments), Obsidian might be perfect for you. Just know you'll need to invest some time upfront to make it work.
My advice? Only try Obsidian if you genuinely enjoy tinkering with systems. If you just want to write notes and find them later, stick with something simpler from this list.
6. Craft - Beautiful and Simple
Best for: Mac users who want something pretty
Craft looks amazing and feels natural to use. It's like Notion's prettier, simpler cousin.
What makes it special:
Beautiful design
Block-based editing
Links between notes
Great mobile app
Price: Free plan available, Pro $4.99/month
7. Standard Notes - Privacy First
Best for: People who care about privacy
Standard Notes encrypts everything, so your notes stay completely private. It's simple, secure, and works everywhere.
Why choose it:
End-to-end encryption
Clean, minimal design
No ads or tracking
Export anytime
Price: Free plan available, Extended $9.99/month
8. Joplin - Open Source Alternative
Best for: Tech-savvy users who want control
Joplin is free, open-source, and gives you complete control over your data. It's like Evernote but simpler and more private.
Key features:
Completely free
Markdown support
End-to-end encryption
Import from other apps
Price: Free
9. Microsoft OneNote - Freeform Notes
Best for: People who like visual organization
OneNote lets you click anywhere to add text, draw, or insert images. It's like having a digital notebook with unlimited pages.
Perfect for:
Visual learners
Meeting notes
Research projects
Mixed media content
Price: Free
Author's Note:
I'll be honest: OneNote is one of those apps I tried a few times but never really stuck with. But I know plenty of people who absolutely love it, especially if they're already using Microsoft Office for work.
The coolest thing about OneNote is how flexible it is. You can literally click anywhere on a page and start typing. Want to add a diagram next to your notes? Just draw it. Need to paste a screenshot? Drop it wherever you want. It's like having a giant digital whiteboard that never runs out of space.
I've seen people use it for everything from planning home renovations (with photos, measurements, and contractor notes all on one page) to organizing research for school projects. One colleague showed me how she takes meeting notes in OneNote by creating sections for each project, then adding pages for individual meetings. She can search across everything later, which is pretty handy.
But here's where I struggled with it: that same flexibility can be overwhelming. Sometimes having too many options makes it harder to just get started. I found myself spending time deciding where to put things instead of actually taking notes.
The mobile app is decent, but it's definitely better on a computer or tablet where you have more screen space to work with. If you're someone who likes to organize visually and doesn't mind a bit of a learning curve, OneNote might be perfect for you.
My take? Try it if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem or if you find yourself wishing you could just dump everything (text, images, drawings) onto one big page. Just don't expect it to be as simple as Apple Notes or Google Keep.
10. Google Docs - The Familiar Choice
Best for: Collaboration and long documents
Sometimes the best solution is hiding in plain sight. Google Docs isn't a note app, but it's simpler than Notion and everyone knows how to use it.
When to use it:
Working with others
Long-form writing
Need commenting features
Want familiar interface
Price: Free
Author's Note:
Same like Google Keep but for larger texts and informations. For reference read the authors note for Google Keep.
How to Choose the Right One
Here's a simple decision tree:
Want maximum simplicity? → Google Keep or Simplenote
All Apple devices? → Apple Notes
Need task management? → Todoist
Care about privacy? → Standard Notes or Joplin
Want to connect ideas? → Obsidian
Need collaboration? → Google Docs
After trying literally dozens of productivity apps (yes, I have a problem), here's my honest take: most of them are just fancy ways to procrastinate.
I spent months jumping between apps. Notion for a few weeks, then Todoist, then back to Apple Notes, then trying some new app I saw on YouTube. Sound familiar? I was basically a productivity app tourist, always looking for the perfect setup that would magically make me super organized.
But here's what I learned: the best app is the one that gets out of your way and lets you focus on what actually matters.
That's exactly why I built Deepslate. I got so frustrated with tools that promised everything but delivered complexity that I decided to create what I actually needed. Not another feature-packed monster, but something that keeps things simple and actually helps you make progress.
I use Deepslate every single day now. Not because I have to (I built it), but because it's the first productivity tool that doesn't feel like work. It's designed around one simple idea: focus on 3 goals max, break them into small steps, and get daily accountability to keep you moving forward.
No endless databases to set up. No templates to customize. No spending weekends organizing your productivity system instead of being productive.
If you're tired of app-hopping and want something that just works, give Deepslate a try. I think you'll notice the difference in your first week. It's not about having the fanciest system. It's about actually getting things done.
And honestly? Even if Deepslate isn't for you, pick literally any app from this list and stick with it for 30 days. Consistency beats complexity every single time.
Making the Switch
Moving away from Notion doesn't have to be painful:
Export your Notion data (Settings → Export content)
Pick ONE alternative from this list
Start fresh – don't try to recreate your complex setup
Use it for 30 days before considering other options
The goal is simplicity, not perfection.
Bonus: The Best of Both Worlds
What if you could have Notion's power without the complexity? That's exactly what we built with Deepslate.io.
After testing dozens of productivity apps, we realized something was missing – a tool that combines maximum productivity with genuine simplicity.
Here's what makes Deepslate different:
Achieve goals 3x faster using a proven focus framework and AI-powered assistant.
Instant setup via WhatsApp — no app to download, no learning curve.
Radical simplicity with a maximum of 3 goals, 3 milestones each, and only goal-aligned tasks.
Daily accountability with personalized check-ins, reminders, and motivation.
All-in-one system that replaces multiple productivity tools (tasks, habits, calendar) in one streamlined experience.
Perfect for:
Overwhelmed tool collectors who use 5+ apps but still feel disorganized
Time-starved solopreneurs who need to maximize results with limited hours
Accountability seekers who struggle to stay consistent and focused on their goals
Pricing: Free while in beta!
We're currently testing Deepslate with early users, which means you can get full access at no cost. But here's the catch: this won't last forever. Once we exit beta, there will be paid plans. Jump in now to lock in free access before we launch officially.
Ready to try productivity that actually works?
https://deepslate.io
The Bottom Line
The best productivity app is the one you actually use every day. These alternatives prove you don't need Notion's complexity to stay organized.
Pick one that fits your main need, set it up in 10 minutes, and start being productive instead of organizing your productivity system.
Ready to simplify? Choose one app from this list and try it for a week. Your future self will thank you for picking simple over complex.