In the evolving landscape of digital note-taking and personal knowledge management, Roam Research and Notion have emerged as popular choices. Each offers unique features and caters to different styles of organising your notes and tasks. But which one aligns better with your needs? Let’s break down their features, strengths, pricing and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.

In addition, we’ll take a look at an intriguing third option, which introduces an innovative approach by integrating note-taking directly into the web browsing experience. Horse Browser is a great alternative tool for researchers and heavy web users. Let’s dive in!

What is Roam Research?

Roam Research is a tool designed to emulate the way our minds naturally organize information. Its core principle revolves around networked thought, where ideas are interconnected through bi-directional links, creating a web of knowledge rather than a rigid hierarchical structure.

Key Features of Roam Research:

• Bi-Directional Linking: This feature allows for automatic linking between pages and notes in both directions, facilitating a dynamic and evolving web of interconnected ideas.
• Daily Notes: Each day begins with a fresh note, seamlessly integrating daily thoughts into broader themes and projects.
• Graph Overview: A visual representation of your notes as a network graph helps you see the connections and gaps in your knowledge.
• Block References: Embed or reference specific blocks of text from other notes, fostering deep interconnections within your content.

Roam Research is ideal for users who deal with complex, interrelated concepts, making it a favorite among researchers, academics, and professionals working on long-term projects.

Pricing: Roam Research operates on a subscription model, starting at $15 per month or $165 annually. A 5-year plan is available for $500, with custom pricing options for organizations.

What is Notion?

Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, tasks, wikis, databases, graphs and more into a single, flexible platform. It’s designed for customisation, allowing users to structure their workspace according to their own unique needs using pages and blocks.

Key Features of Notion:

• Databases: Create custom tables, boards, graphs, and lists to organise structured data, such as projects and tasks.
• Templates: Access pre-built templates or create your own to streamline workflows and maintain consistency across your pages.