Basecamp is a dedicated project management and team communication platform with built-in messaging and task tracking, while Notion is a flexible all-in-one workspace that combines databases, documents, and collaboration tools with greater customization. Basecamp excels for teams wanting structure out-of-the-box; Notion suits teams needing adaptable workflows.
Basecamp vs Notion — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Project management and team communication platform with integrated messaging and task tracking.
All-in-one workspace combining documents, databases, and knowledge management with intuitive interface.
Primary Purpose. Learning Curve. Customization Flexibility. Real-Time Collaboration. Built-In Communication Tools. Mobile App Experience. Pricing Model Complexity
Choose Basecamp if your team needs an out-of-the-box project management solution with integrated communication, minimal setup, and straightforward pricing for distributed teams. Choose Notion if you require a highly customizable workspace to build custom workflows, databases, and knowledge bases that evolve with your organization's needs.
Basecamp: $99 (unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Basic task automation only | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Optimal for under 50 users | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 2 (Kanban, List) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Not available | Notion: No (requires integration)
Basecamp: Basic admin controls | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 3 views (To-Do Lists, Message Boards, Schedule) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: ~50 integrations | Notion: 100+
Basecamp: 30-60 minutes to start using | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Basic progress tracking within individual projects only | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Message boards and real-time updates as primary hub | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Basic (simple task assignments, status updates) | Notion: Database automations, API integrations, Zapier/Make support
Basecamp: Mobile-optimized interface with core features (2024-2026 updates) | Notion: 8 (iOS/Android, full sync)
Basecamp: 2-20 users; suited for small teams | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $1,470-3,675 (per user plan) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 0.3-0.5 weeks (1-2 days) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 500+ | Notion: 150+ integrations via Zapier, Make, and native connectors
Basecamp: 3 (To-Do, Message Board, Schedule) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 30 days (no credit card required) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $299 (flat-rate for unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $299 (unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Message boards, campfire chats, built-in messaging | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Low (focused on simplicity) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $349 (unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Yes - messaging, discussions, announcements | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: ~50-100 integrations | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Native with task dependencies | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: High - comprehensive feature set | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $99/month (unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $99/month (flat rate) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 500-2000ms typical | Notion: 1000-2000ms
Basecamp: Message boards, group chat, pings, comments | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 3 (text, checkbox, date) | Notion: 50+
Basecamp: Message boards, DMs, comments, announcements | Notion: Comments, mentions, reminders only
Basecamp: No free tier | Notion: Yes; unlimited blocks for individuals
Basecamp: Basic (task assignment, reminders only) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 3 (List, Board, Calendar) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 50+ via Zapier | Notion: 200+ (native + Zapier)
Basecamp: Unlimited (all messages searchable) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Yes (to-do lists, schedules, message boards) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 1,000-3,000ms (batch updates) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 100GB per account | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: $99 flat (unlimited users) | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Flat rate after 1 user | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: Yes: to-do lists, timelines, milestones, dependencies | Notion: N/A
Basecamp: 3 million+ (2024 estimate) | Notion: 10+ million
Basecamp: $99/month (flat) | Notion: $150/month (15 members × $10)
Basecamp: $299/month (flat) | Notion: $500/month (50 members × $10)
Basecamp: 5 (chat, threads, message boards, pings, notifications) | Notion: 1 (comments only)
Basecamp: 0 (no native databases) | Notion: 8 (relational, formulas, rollups, filters, sorts, synced blocks, templates)
Basecamp: 30 days | Notion: Unlimited free tier
Basecamp: 85% of desktop features | Notion: 40% of desktop features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Notion's cloud servers
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Free / $8-15 per user
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Customizable approach
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Moderate support
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Real-time co-editing, permissions, comments, activity tracking
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full (relational databases, rollups, formulas)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Cloud-hosted (Notion controls servers)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Yes (built-in AI assistant)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: High availability (no published SLA)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 9/10 (blocks, databases, relations)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 5/10 (basic automations only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 2-50 users (flexible scale)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 7-14 days (custom setup required)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $20 (Business tier)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $24+ (Enterprise, custom)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited task/project features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 9/10 - Highly customizable
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 8/10 - Steep learning curve
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 9/10 - Native docs & databases
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic (manual linking only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Comprehensive (wiki, docs, databases, linked records)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: No (requires manual setup with databases)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Very High (fully customizable databases and properties)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10 (free plan with guests)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Not available (must track manually)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $8/month (Team tier)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Excellent for non-technical users - intuitive linked properties
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited native two-way sync capability
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Built-in AI assistant with limited agent connections
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Steep learning curve with flexible drag-and-drop
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Exceptional - optimized for feature roadmaps and linked data
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic (via integrations only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited tier system
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full editor (formatting, blocks, collaboration)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 100+ templates and integrations
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited with role-based permissions
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Flexible block-based editor with databases
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Teams, project managers, content creators
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Views API, Markdown support, automatic retries (2026)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited blocks and pages
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full relational database support
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited offline capabilities
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Table, Board, Timeline, Calendar, Gallery, List
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: REST API and official SDK
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Comments, mentions, real-time editing, threads
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Free (or $10/month for AI)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited offline; web-first platform
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $0 (free tier exists)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic linked mentions; manual linking required
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 400+ (official integrations)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 100+ million across all sectors
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Free (Plus $10/user)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Moderate (2-3 seconds with complex databases)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1000+ through Zapier and native
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: All-in-one workspace & documentation
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 3-7 days depending on customization
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Native iOS/Android, good but slower
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: SSO, AI features, advanced permissions, audit logs
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 30-60 (database learning curve)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: PDF/CSV (some lock-in)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10+ million active users
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Yes, basic timeline view only
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 3 requests per second (~180/min)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited (manual + integrations)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 50,000+ community templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Cloud-based SaaS
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Proprietary blocks
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: CSV / Markdown export
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Cloud (built-in)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited (limited API)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Notion AI (bundled in Business/Enterprise; trial on Free/Plus)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Free (10 guests)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Plus $10/user/mo
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: AI-powered search, Q&A, writing assistance (add-on)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Centralized knowledge/PM workspace
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $100 (10 users @ $10)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10 (Unlimited plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline (web); requires app for editing
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full relational databases with 10+ view types
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 5-10 hours for proficiency
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Public API with Zapier/webhook support
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10/month (Plus plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 3 (full page, bookmark, simple)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Native relational databases with rollups, filters, sorts
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic (AI blocks limited to Pro/Team plans)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 0 (no native integration)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 500+ via Zapier, native integrations, and API
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1000+ community and official templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline via Web Clipper; limited without internet
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 30 minutes (learning curve for full features)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited workspace content; 5GB file attachments
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Yes - relations, filters, sorts, multiple views
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full offline mode (desktop app)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 60+ (steep learning curve)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 200+ native + 2000+ via Zapier
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic (simple triggers and actions)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Yes (native relations, rollups, and rollup filters)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 6 (Table, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery, Board, List)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10,000 (performance degrades noticeably after 5,000)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1,500+ (Zapier, Slack, webhooks, and native integrations)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $120/year (Plus plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 6 platforms (Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Advanced relational databases with filtering and sorting
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full real-time collaboration with comments and permissions
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Partial offline (web requires internet, mobile has limited offline mode)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Proprietary Notion format (limited standard export)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 30-60 minutes to understand core features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Robust public API with extensive integration ecosystem
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (Plus plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Not FedRAMP authorized
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $0 (limited to 1M blocks/month)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (team plan dependent)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1-to-1, Many-to-1, Many-to-Many
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 12+ (Table, Board, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery, etc.)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 6+ (complex feature set requires training)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 8+ (PDF, HTML, Markdown, CSV, etc.)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Yes - unlimited blocks and databases
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 75+ million registered users (as of 2024)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $120 per year (Plus plan, no AI)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited in Team plan
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (per subscription)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Multi-level relations, rollups, and formulas
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: No (third-party integrations only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: No (web-based only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Notion AI included in Pro/Team plans
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Linear page-based structure
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (paid plans)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full relational databases with filters, sorts, relations
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10000+ community templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full offline capability with sync
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited blocks + 10 GB files
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10 (unlimited access)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 50+ integrated features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited (requires extension)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $0 (Pro: $120/year)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 20+ workspace templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Timeline view available; no dependency or critical path analysis
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Manual tracking only; no native capacity features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10,000 rows (performance degrades)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited cross-database visibility
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $12 (Notion Team plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1-2 seconds (1000-2000ms)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10+ (stable with minor lag)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: No native email; third-party only
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 100+ REST API endpoints
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline mode
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1000+ community templates + Zapier/Make
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: iOS + Android official apps
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 800+ official templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Notion API + CSV/Markdown exports
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $14 (Pro plan, annual)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $32 (Team plan, annual)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 12 basic automation triggers
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 30 hours for proficiency
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic calendar view (limited critical path analysis)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited custom fields, relations, formulas, rollups, and linked databases
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 500+ via Zapier, 50+ native
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10 (billed annually)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: ~10,000+ templates
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited with cursor presence
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Optimized up to 10,000 items per view
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10.00 (or free)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 15+ (Table, Kanban, Calendar, Gallery, Timeline, etc.)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $120/month (Pro plan, capped usage)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $120/month (unlimited members, Pro)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 0 native (requires third-party integration)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full rich-text editor with embeds
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Advanced, with rollups and filters
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited offline; requires internet for most features
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10-14 days for average user
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Sync requires active internet connection
Starting Price per User/Month (Annual Billing)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10/user (free tier available)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited users, unlimited workspaces
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Third-party only (Zapier)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Advanced (rollups, lookups, formulas)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 3 requests/second (180/min)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 1.4s (typical page/database view)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 300+ integrations via Zapier/native
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $0 (Unlimited free tier)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 5 views (Table, Board, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 30+ automation options
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 10+ types (includes relations, rollups, formulas, templates)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 2-4 hours to start productive work
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Limited (basic role options, no granular permissions)
Base Monthly Cost Per User (Annual Billing)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: $10.00 (Team plan)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Not native - timeline view available via database relations
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Manual tracking via database properties
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full support with many-to-many relations and rollups
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Basic - templates and button automations, limited conditional logic
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Unlimited pages (feature-limited)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 8 (basic actions only)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Full rich-text editor with synced blocks
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: Linked databases with basic relations
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 3 (Table, Board, Gallery)
Basecamp: N/A | Notion: 50+ simultaneous
How to choose between Basecamp and Notion
Basecamp vs Notion — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Basecamp vs Notion. Contains 375 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Basecamp vs Notion — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Basecamp vs Notion.
Basecamp has a slight edge for fully remote teams because it includes integrated messaging, pings, and notifications that keep distributed teams connected without tool-switching. Notion excels at asynchronous collaboration through shared documents and databases but lacks built-in chat. For real-time coordination, Basecamp; for knowledge sharing, Notion.
Can I use Notion for project management alone?
Yes, but it requires significant setup. Notion's database features allow you to build custom project boards, Gantt charts, and task trackers. However, this takes 2-4 weeks to configure properly. Basecamp provides project management structure immediately without configuration.
Basecamp scales better economically - costs cap at $299/month regardless of team size. Notion's per-member model ($10/user/month) means a 100-person team costs $1,000/month versus Basecamp's $299. Notion scales better functionally for complex data needs as your organization grows.
Many teams use both: Basecamp for project coordination and team chat, Notion for documentation, knowledge bases, and custom databases. However, this adds complexity and cost. Choose one if budget is tight; Basecamp if communication is priority, Notion if customization is.
Basecamp's mobile apps work well offline and sync when reconnected. Notion's mobile app requires internet connection and offers limited offline editing. If your team works in areas with spotty connectivity, Basecamp is more reliable.
How to Choose Between Basecamp and Notion
Primary Purpose: Basecamp has Project management & team communication, while Notion has All-in-one workspace (documents, databases, wikis).
Learning Curve: Basecamp has Minimal - ready to use immediately, while Notion has Steep - requires setup and customization.
Customization Flexibility: Basecamp has Limited - predefined workflows, while Notion has Extensive - custom databases and templates.
Real-Time Collaboration: Basecamp has Good - threaded messaging and comments, while Notion has Excellent - simultaneous editing on pages and databases.
Built-In Communication Tools: Basecamp has Yes - integrated messaging, pings, notifications, while Notion has Limited - comments only, no native chat.
Mobile App Experience: Basecamp has Full-featured native apps (iOS/Android), while Notion has Basic mobile web app, limited functionality.
Pricing Model Complexity: Basecamp has Flat per-team pricing, unlimited users, while Notion has Per-member pricing with usage limits on free tier.