Is Notion Free? A Complete Guide to Pricing and Plans

When people hear about Notion, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “Is Notion free?” The answer is yes—Notion does have a free version. In fact, the free plan is one of the biggest reasons why so many individuals, students, and small teams start using it. But like many productivity apps, Notion also offers paid plans with extra features for businesses, professionals, and larger teams.

In this article, we’ll explore whether Notion is free, what you get in the free version, what the paid plans include, and whether upgrading is worth it. By the end, you’ll clearly understand which Notion plan might be right for you.

What Is Notion

Before diving into whether Notion is free, let’s quickly explain what Notion actually is.

Notion is an all-in-one workspace app that combines notes, tasks, databases, calendars, and wikis in one place. Instead of using separate apps for writing notes, managing projects, and storing documents, Notion lets you do it all in a single platform.

Some people use Notion as a personal planner. Others use it for team collaboration, project management, or even as a company knowledge hub. Its flexibility is what makes it so popular—and its free option makes it accessible to everyone.

Is Notion Free

Yes, Notion is free to use. The free plan, known as the Notion Free plan, is available for individuals and small teams. It gives you access to almost all the core features of Notion, making it a great choice for personal use.

With the free plan, you can:

Create unlimited pages and blocks.
Share pages with up to 10 guests.
Use powerful organization tools like databases and templates.
Sync across devices (desktop, mobile, web).
Upload files up to 5MB each.

For most individuals, the free version is more than enough. Students, freelancers, and casual users can comfortably run their entire life or projects without spending a single dollar.

What’s Missing in the Free Version

While the free version is great, it does come with a few limitations. If you’re asking, “Is Notion free enough for me?”, here’s what you might miss:

Guest Limit – You can only share with up to 10 guests on the free plan. For larger collaborations, you’ll need a paid plan.
File Upload Size – Each file upload is limited to 5MB. If you work with large PDFs, videos, or design files, this could be restrictive.
Advanced Team Features – Features like unlimited collaboration, SSO (single sign-on), and admin tools are only available in higher-tier business plans.
Version History – The free plan only allows you to see version history for up to 7 days. Paid plans give you longer history (up to unlimited).

So while Notion is free, teams and professionals with heavier needs might consider upgrading.

Notion’s Paid Plans Explained

If the free version feels limiting, Notion offers paid options. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Notion Plus ($8 per user/month billed annually)

Unlimited file uploads (no 5MB limit).
Unlimited guests.
30-day version history.
Best for small teams or individuals with bigger needs.

2. Notion Business ($15 per user/month billed annually)

Advanced collaboration features.
Bulk PDF export.
90-day version history.
Teamspaces with permissions.
Designed for growing companies.

3. Notion Enterprise (custom pricing)

Unlimited version history.
Advanced security (SSO, SCIM, audit logs).
Dedicated customer support.
Perfect for large organizations.

So, while Notion is free, these upgrades unlock serious productivity tools for teams and businesses.

Is the Free Plan Good for Students

One of the biggest audiences asking “Is Notion free?” is students. The good news is that students get Notion Plus for free if they sign up with a school email address.

That means:

Unlimited file uploads.
Unlimited guests (great for group projects).
30-day version history.
All for $0.

For students, this is a game-changer. You can use Notion for class notes, study planners, research databases, and project collaboration without worrying about costs.

Who Should Stay on the Free Plan

If you’re an individual user—say, someone who wants to organize their personal tasks, goals, or journaling—the free plan is more than enough.

Freelancers who mainly write, take notes, or manage small projects with a couple of clients can also comfortably stay on the free version.

Basically, if you don’t need advanced collaboration or unlimited storage, you don’t need to pay.

Who Should Upgrade to Paid

If you’re still wondering whether Notion being free is enough, think about how you’ll use it. You should consider upgrading if:

You’re part of a team larger than 10 members.
You need to upload large files regularly.
You want to use Notion as your main company wiki or project hub.
You need longer version history for tracking changes.

In these cases, the Plus or Business plan pays for itself in productivity and collaboration benefits.

Is Notion Free Compared to Competitors

Let’s compare.

Evernote – Offers a free plan but with fewer features. File uploads and syncing are more restricted compared to Notion.
Trello – Free for basic project management but lacks the flexibility of Notion’s databases and wikis.
ClickUp – Has a free plan but includes limits on storage and features.

Notion stands out because even its free version offers unlimited pages and blocks, something many competitors restrict.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Free Notion

If you’re sticking with the free plan, here are some tips:

Use templates to save time when setting up projects.
Compress files before uploading to stay within the 5MB limit.
Use integrations like Google Drive or Dropbox for larger files.
Collaborate smartly by inviting only essential guests.

This way, you maximize what Notion offers without needing to upgrade.

Final Thoughts

So, is Notion free? Yes, absolutely—and the free plan is surprisingly generous. For personal use, freelancing, and even small projects, you can get almost everything you need without paying.

However, if you’re running a business, collaborating with large teams, or handling big files, upgrading to Plus, Business, or Enterprise makes sense.

In short, Notion gives you the freedom to start free and upgrade only when your needs grow. That’s why it has become one of the most popular productivity tools in the world.