Notion’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Over time, I’ve come to recognize Notion’s strengths in ways I never anticipated. I utilize it for personal reminders, planning Medium and blog entries, and tracking records for my side projects. Given its "free" offering, the value provided is quite impressive.

One of my favorite aspects of Notion is the ability to nest pages within pages. This feature allows me to add additional details without overwhelming my main notes. By transforming lines of text into clickable pages, I’ve effectively organized various lists, topics, and essential credentials—helping me maintain a semblance of sanity while juggling a full-time job and entrepreneurial ventures.

The automatic synchronization across devices is a feature I truly appreciate. Yet, this advantageous capability hinges on one critical drawback: Notion stores my data in the cloud…

…and I can’t opt-out.

As someone in the IT field, you'd think I would wholeheartedly embrace cloud solutions. While I do appreciate certain cloud services, I harbor a natural skepticism towards them.

To facilitate synchronization, Notion keeps my notes stored externally, which means I must place my trust in them for the safety and privacy of my data. Unfortunately, my trust in third-party services has diminished over time. Even the most secure platforms can fall victim to breaches or misuse. Though I have no reason to doubt Notion's integrity, the reality is that I relinquish control over my data as long as it resides on their servers. This is concerning for me.

I understand that cloud storage is essential for cross-device syncing, which I value. However, I wish I had the option to store my notes elsewhere—whether that’s in Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Drive, or a personal NAS. This would empower me to select a service I trust at any given moment. Instead, Notion confines me to their cloud storage without alternatives.

Exploring Alternatives

I find the concept of Obsidian appealing, as it allows users to create local databases for notes. This means complete control over data, including the ability to move, copy, or delete it at will. It’s straightforward and user-friendly.

However, there’s a catch: I’m not fond of the application itself. While I admire Obsidian’s philosophy, I’m not keen on using markdown for note-taking. I shouldn’t have to grasp a new syntax just to jot down information in a way that resonates with me. That’s one of Notion's advantages—I can create beautiful notes without needing to navigate complex formatting.

I know many people adore Obsidian, and if you are one of them, that’s fantastic. I hope it serves you well. Personally, I’m still on the lookout for a Notion alternative that combines the features I love while allowing me to store data offline in a location of my choosing, rather than being tethered to a cloud service I can’t control.

I’m open to investing in a service that enables me to choose where my data resides, alongside the simplicity and functionality that Notion provides. It would be great if Notion developed an option that allowed local database storage. (Notion team, if you’re reading this, I would gladly pay for that feature!)

Do You Share These Concerns?

I understand that for many, this might not be a pressing issue. Perhaps you’re comfortable with your Notion data being stored in the cloud, without the option for offline storage.

Or do you, like me, desire the ability to store your data where you see fit? This is one reason why some individuals, like Ellane W, prefer using Obsidian, and she makes a compelling argument. (Maybe one day, I’ll fully embrace Obsidian and markdown until it feels as intuitive as Notion does for me now.)

I’m curious about your perspective. Do you think it’s worth seeking out another tool to maintain control over your own data? Or are you content trusting Notion (or whichever tool you use), even if it means relying on their services?