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Roam Research VS Notion for iOS

Compare Roam Research VS Notion for iOS and see what are their differences

Roam Research logo Roam Research

A note-taking tool for networked thought

Notion for iOS logo Notion for iOS

A collaborative editor for notes, tasks, and wikis
  • Roam Research Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-22
  • Notion for iOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10

Roam Research features and specs

  • Bidirectional Links
    Roam Research offers bidirectional linking, allowing users to seamlessly connect notes and create a web of interrelated knowledge, making it easier to see connections between different ideas.
  • Graph Visualization
    The platform provides a graph visualization that helps users see the relationships between their notes, aiding in understanding the overall structure and connections within their knowledge base.
  • Block-Based Structure
    Notes are composed of blocks, which can be easily moved, edited, or linked individually, providing a flexible and granular way of organizing information.
  • Daily Notes
    Roam Research encourages the use of daily notes, helping users maintain a regular journaling practice and providing a default space for capturing ideas each day.
  • Extensive Tagging
    Users can tag blocks and pages, enabling a robust organizational system that helps in the easy retrieval and filtering of information.
  • Markdown Support
    Roam Research supports Markdown, allowing users to format their notes efficiently with familiar syntax.
  • Offline Mode
    Offers offline functionality, which allows users to access and edit their notes even without an internet connection.

Possible disadvantages of Roam Research

  • Learning Curve
    The flexibility and extensive features of Roam Research can make it initially overwhelming for new users to learn and adapt.
  • Cost
    Roam Research is relatively expensive compared to other note-taking apps, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Performance
    As the database grows, some users may experience performance issues, such as slower loading times or lag, particularly with extensive graphs and numerous linked notes.
  • Lack of Native Mobile App
    While Roam Research does have a mobile-friendly website, it lacks a native mobile app, which can be a disadvantage for users who prefer app-based functionality on their smartphones.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Some users have raised privacy concerns since notes are stored in the cloud, and there's no built-in end-to-end encryption for data protection.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    Roam Research currently lacks robust collaboration features, making it less ideal for team projects or shared note-taking.
  • Export Options
    The export options are somewhat limited, which can make it challenging for users to migrate their notes to other platforms if needed.

Notion for iOS features and specs

  • Versatile Workspace
    Notion for iOS offers a versatile workspace that allows users to create notes, databases, to-dos, and calendars in one app, providing a centralized location for organizing various types of information.
  • Cross-platform Sync
    Notion ensures data is synchronized across all devices, allowing users to seamlessly access and update their information regardless of whether they are on their iOS device, desktop, or other platforms.
  • Customization
    The app allows users to personalize their workspace with templates, colors, and layouts, resulting in a tailored user experience that fits individual needs and preferences.
  • Collaborative Features
    Notion for iOS facilitates collaboration by allowing multiple users to edit documents simultaneously, share pages, and comment on content, making it ideal for team projects.
  • Rich Media Support
    Users can embed videos, audio, and other multimedia content directly into their notes and pages, enhancing the way information is presented and consumed.

Possible disadvantages of Notion for iOS

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find Notion's extensive features overwhelming, requiring a time investment to understand and effectively utilize the app's capabilities.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience lag or slow performance, particularly when dealing with large databases or complex pages, which can hinder productivity.
  • Offline Limitations
    The app has limited offline functionality; access and editing capabilities can be restricted without an internet connection, which can be inconvenient.
  • Subscription Costs
    While Notion offers a free tier, unlocking all features requires a subscription, which may be a barrier for individuals or teams looking for a cost-effective solution.
  • Limited Integration
    Compared to some competitors, Notion has fewer third-party integrations, which can be a drawback for users relying on a robust interconnected workflow.

Roam Research videos

This Note-Taking App is a Game Changer - Roam Research

More videos:

  • Review - ROAM Research: Our First Impressions
  • Review - A quick overview of Roam Research

Notion for iOS videos

Notion for Android is here!

More videos:

  • Review - A Guide to Using Notion for Android

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Roam Research and Notion for iOS)
Note Taking
94 94%
6% 6
Productivity
59 59%
41% 41
Knowledge Management
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Roam Research and Notion for iOS

Roam Research Reviews

Supercharge Your Productivity: Three Recommended Tools for Thought
Side note: Those who follow me may be surprised I’d choose Tana over Roam Research. I have extraordinary love for Roam — it was my introduction to this amazing TfT world! — but Tana is a more powerful environment.
Source: medium.com
Logseq vs Roam Research vs Obsidian: which one should you choose?
Recommending Logseq over Roam Research is easy if you are someone who is searching for a free alternative to Roam Research. You get almost feature-parity between both services and are not missing out on anything essential. But if the price is not a factor, and you just want to select the best note-taking app between the two, here are some reasons why you should select Logseq...
Source: medium.com
Obsidian vs. Roam vs. LogSeq: Which PKM App is Right For You?
Roam doesn’t have plugins like Obsidian, but you can embed scripts and code directly into Roam to extend its capability. One of the most popular Roam “extensions” is called Roam42. Roam 42 gives you a lot of extra stuff Roam doesn’t support by default, like:
11 Best Notepad.pw Alternatives To Use
Roam Research is an auto-back-linked-wiki that helps people to be more productive. Bi-directional links allow you to create pages as you type. When you visit those pages it lists all bullets in which you have mentioned the tag. You can build a network of interconnected notes, which is not linear or hierarchical.
Source: notepad.link
Best Next-Level Note Apps for 2021
Roam Research is a note-taking app for networked thought, creating groups of information and making knowledge associations naturally. Arguably, the comprehensive app made bi-directional linking popular for note-taking apps. Roam Research enables users an organized and personalized overview over all the notes taken. Known for their high user satisfaction, users new to these...
Source: zenkit.com

Notion for iOS Reviews

We have no reviews of Notion for iOS yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Roam Research seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 103 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Roam Research mentions (103)

  • Taking Notes with Joplin
    I'm somewhat surprised that 44 comments in, it looks like I'm the first to mention Roam: https://roamresearch.com/ It obviously wasn't the first note taking app, and it's very much not Free, but the nature of its linking sparked Obsidian and Logseq's growth. I've been a happy paid user since the early days. The biggest reason I stick with it is that it supports both being E2E encrypted and synchronising,... - Source: Hacker News / 14 days ago
  • Building a Knowledge System That Enhances Rather Than Replaces Thought
    Excellent article. IMHO it tackles the gist of what personal knowledge management should be about. True learning/understanding (and intellectual depth for that matter) seems like something that (due to neurocognitive reasons) cannot possibly be achieved only through the process of reading, but is rather a function of the reader's quality of elaboration on what has been read. This inherently requires the reader's... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • How do I render HTML (and render hyper links in particular) in the field of a card
    Many of my cards include links back to my notes in https://roamresearch.com/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Philosophy of Science 101: What Is the Problem of Induction?
    Popper's criterion in a vacuum could seem to be exclusionary, but his philosophy of science involves his underrated idea of evolutionary epistemology. That all theories, seemingly pseudoscientific and the rest, compete to explain something, testable or not. Explanation is the most fundamental aspect, the rival statements compete to solve some problem in terms of how and why. Read Popper's Ch. 1. Conjectural... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • What are your top productivity tools?
    Other tools I use: Superhuman for Email, Akiflow for tasks and calendar, Roam for notes/PKB, and one sec to reduce opening distracting apps. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Notion for iOS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Notion for iOS yet. Tracking of Notion for iOS recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Roam Research and Notion for iOS, you can also consider the following products

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Notion - All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.

Trello - Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

Logseq - Logseq is a local-first, non-linear, outliner notebook for organizing and sharing your personal knowledge base.

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

Evernote - Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.