Notion AI is a Glorified Search Bar, and Here's Why It's Still Winning
A deep dive into Notion AI.
Let's cut the crap: most AI tools are overhyped garbage that promise to revolutionize your workflow but end up being a $20/month subscription for a slightly smarter autocomplete. Notion AI is no exception, but against its competitors, it's the least annoying option—and that's a low bar.
The Meat: Where Notion AI Actually Matters
I've tested every major AI note-taking and writing tool, and the differences boil down to three things: integration, pricing traps, and raw usability.
1. Integration vs. Isolation
Notion AI's killer feature is that it's baked into Notion. You don't need to copy-paste text between apps; it's right there in your notes, databases, and pages. Competitors like Mem or Craft are slick, but they force you into their ecosystem. I once spent 30 minutes trying to sync Mem with my Google Calendar for a project timeline, only to realize it required a third-party Zapier setup that cost extra. Notion's AI just works where you already are—no extra tabs, no context switching.
2. The Pricing Rip-Offs
Notion AI costs $10/month per user on top of a paid Notion plan. That's steep, but compare it to something like Jasper, which charges $49/month for its "Boss Mode" and still limits you to 50,000 words. I used Jasper for a client blog last quarter and hit the word limit in two weeks—then had to beg for a custom plan. Notion AI's unlimited usage within your workspace is a beast in disguise, even if the per-user fee stings.
💡 Pro Tip: If you're on a team, pool your AI usage in a shared Notion workspace. One user with AI can generate content for everyone, saving you hundreds per month compared to individual Jasper or Copy.ai subscriptions.
3. The Laggy UI Annoyance
Here's my rant: Notion AI's response time can be trash when you're working in a large database. I was updating a client project tracker with 500+ items, typed "/ai summarize," and waited 8 seconds for a spinning cursor. Eight seconds! In 2024, that's an eternity. Competitors like Obsidian with AI plugins feel faster locally, but they lack the cloud sync. Notion needs to optimize this—it's a productivity killer when you're in the zone.
The Data: How They Stack Up
| Tool | Price (Monthly) | Key Strength | Biggest Flaw | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notion AI | $10/user + Notion plan | Deep integration with Notion | Slow in large databases | Teams already using Notion |
| Jasper | $49+ for Boss Mode | Marketing copy templates | Word limits are a rip-off | Solopreneurs needing quick ads |
| Mem | $10/user | Smart personal organization | Poor external integrations | Individuals tracking personal tasks |
| Craft | $6/user | Beautiful document design | AI feels tacked-on | Designers creating client docs |
The Verdict
Buy Notion AI if you're already living in Notion for project management or team docs. The integration is seamless, and despite the lag, it beats juggling multiple apps. Otherwise, avoid it—you're better off with a cheaper tool like Obsidian (free with AI plugin costs) for personal notes or Jasper if you only need marketing blasts (but watch those word limits). I almost lost a client because Jasper's limit cut me off mid-campaign, but Notion's unlimited use saved my ass on a last-minute report.
