What we think about Notion Productivity Tools
When we tested Notion, we discovered that while the AI features sound promising on paper, the real-world experience tells a different story. We've been working with Notion for several years, primarily using it as a comprehensive document management system rather than a traditional productivity tool. We store long-term information like tax records and medical history there, along with our personal notes and insights.
Our main focus during testing was Notion AI, particularly its ability to connect with external data sources like Gmail. We attempted to link our Gmail inbox to ask questions about email content, but the integration process proved frustrating. Initially, it appeared the connection worked, but only for workspace emails. Later, we found the connection had failed entirely, and the setup process felt unnecessarily complicated.
We then switched to testing Notion AI with an existing page containing dates for upcoming AI courses. However, when we asked Notion to research specific information online that wasn't in our notes, it couldn't complete the task. After testing several other features, we found that while Notion AI has great potential in theory, it needs more development time to become truly practical.
That said, Notion itself remains a powerful platform for users who enjoy working with templates or building custom systems from scratch. If you're technically inclined and don't mind a hands-on approach, Notion can be incredibly versatile. However, we prefer productivity tools that save time with clear, ready-to-use setups rather than requiring extensive customization.
What users think about Notion Productivity Tools
Users frequently praise Notion for its incredible flexibility and customization options, making it a favorite among teams and individuals who want to build their perfect workspace. Many appreciate how Notion combines notes, databases, wikis, and project management into one unified platform. Users often highlight the template gallery as a major strength, providing ready-made solutions for various use cases from personal planning to complex business workflows.
However, users commonly report that Notion has a steep learning curve, especially for those new to database concepts and advanced features. Performance issues, particularly with large databases and complex pages, are frequently mentioned as drawbacks compared to more specialized tools. Many users also note that while Notion AI shows promise, it still feels underdeveloped compared to dedicated AI writing assistants.
The mobile experience receives mixed reviews, with some users finding it less intuitive than the desktop version. Despite these challenges, loyal users appreciate Notion's continuous updates and the active community that shares templates and best practices.
Notion offers a 30-day free trial, so give it a try and let us know how you like it!
