Whimsical is a visual diagram and flowchart tool optimized for creative collaboration and design thinking, while Notion is a comprehensive all-in-one workspace combining databases, documents, wikis, and project management. Whimsical focuses on visual brainstorming; Notion handles full operational business needs.
Whimsical vs Notion — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Visual diagram and flowchart SaaS for brainstorming, wireframing, and collaborative design.
Flexible all-in-one workspace combining databases, documents, and wikis with block-based design.
Primary Use Case. Database & Structured Data. Learning Curve (hours to productivity). Pricing (monthly team plan). Integration Count. Real-time Collaboration Users. Offline Access
Choose Whimsical if you prioritize visual design work, team brainstorming sessions, and rapid wireframe creation with minimal onboarding friction. Choose Notion if you need an enterprise-scale workspace combining project management, documentation, databases, and operational workflows into a single unified platform, and your team has time for setup and customization.
Whimsical: Unlimited files | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: Unlimited | Notion: Unlimited (paid plans)
Whimsical: No - requires export/import | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: ~4 minutes (template-based) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: No - requires third-party tool | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: SAML 2.0 (Pro plan and above) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: Flowcharts, swimlanes, ERD, UML, wireframes, user journeys | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: Limited to basic AI features | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: $12-20 | Notion: $8/month (Team tier)
Whimsical: ~500 curated components | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: Native (live cursors, comments, version history) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: 9/10 - modern, intuitive, design-forward | Notion: N/A
Estimated Learning Time (non-technical user)
Whimsical: 1-2 hours to productivity | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: PNG, SVG, PDF, JSON (limited) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: 5 projects max | Notion: Unlimited pages
Whimsical: $0 (Pro: $120/year) | Notion: $0 (Pro: $120/year)
Whimsical: 2-5 minutes | Notion: 10-15 minutes
Whimsical: 80+ diagram templates | Notion: 20+ workspace templates
Whimsical: ~50 built-in shapes | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: 50+ | Notion: 60+ native + Zapier
Whimsical: Unlimited concurrent users | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: Up to 5 viewers | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: No - limited process diagram support | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: ~5 minutes to first diagram | Notion: N/A
Monthly Cost (Per User, Most Popular Plan)
Whimsical: Yes (text-to-diagram, AI suggestions) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: 500+ | Notion: 10000+ community templates
Whimsical: No (cloud-only) | Notion: No (Cloud-only)
Whimsical: Limited (requires internet) | Notion: N/A
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Notion's cloud servers
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Free / $8-15 per user
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Customizable approach
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Moderate support
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Real-time co-editing, permissions, comments, activity tracking
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full (relational databases, rollups, formulas)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Cloud-hosted (Notion controls servers)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes (built-in AI assistant)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: High availability (no published SLA)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 9/10 (blocks, databases, relations)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 5/10 (basic automations only)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 2-50 users (flexible scale)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 7-14 days (custom setup required)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (Plus tier)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $20 (Business tier)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $24+ (Enterprise, custom)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited task/project features
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 9/10 - Highly customizable
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 8/10 - Steep learning curve
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 9/10 - Native docs & databases
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic (manual linking only)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Comprehensive (wiki, docs, databases, linked records)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: No (requires manual setup with databases)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Very High (fully customizable databases and properties)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10 (free plan with guests)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Not available (must track manually)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Excellent for non-technical users - intuitive linked properties
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited native two-way sync capability
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Built-in AI assistant with limited agent connections
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Steep learning curve with flexible drag-and-drop
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Exceptional - optimized for feature roadmaps and linked data
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic (via integrations only)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited tier system
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full editor (formatting, blocks, collaboration)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 100+ templates and integrations
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited with role-based permissions
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Flexible block-based editor with databases
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Teams, project managers, content creators
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Views API, Markdown support, automatic retries (2026)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 600+ via Zapier
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited blocks and pages
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full relational database support
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited offline capabilities
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Table, Board, Timeline, Calendar, Gallery, List
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: REST API and official SDK
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Comments, mentions, real-time editing, threads
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Free (or $10/month for AI)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 5 basic options
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited offline; web-first platform
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $0 (free tier exists)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic linked mentions; manual linking required
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 400+ (official integrations)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 100+ million across all sectors
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Free (Plus $10/user)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Moderate (2-3 seconds with complex databases)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1000+ through Zapier and native
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: All-in-one workspace & documentation
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 3-7 days depending on customization
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Native iOS/Android, good but slower
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: SSO, AI features, advanced permissions, audit logs
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 30-60 (database learning curve)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 8 (iOS/Android, full sync)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: PDF/CSV (some lock-in)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10+ million active users
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes, basic timeline view only
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 3 requests per second (~180/min)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited (manual + integrations)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 50,000+ community templates
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Cloud-based SaaS
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Proprietary blocks
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: CSV / Markdown export
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes — real-time
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Cloud (built-in)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited (limited API)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Notion AI (bundled in Business/Enterprise; trial on Free/Plus)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Free (10 guests)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Plus $10/user/mo
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited pages
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: AI-powered search, Q&A, writing assistance (add-on)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Centralized knowledge/PM workspace
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $100 (10 users @ $10)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (Unlimited plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline (web); requires app for editing
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full relational databases with 10+ view types
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 5-10 hours for proficiency
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Public API with Zapier/webhook support
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10/month (Plus plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 3 (full page, bookmark, simple)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Native relational databases with rollups, filters, sorts
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic (AI blocks limited to Pro/Team plans)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 0 (no native integration)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 500+ via Zapier, native integrations, and API
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1000+ community and official templates
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline via Web Clipper; limited without internet
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 30 minutes (learning curve for full features)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited workspace content; 5GB file attachments
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes - relations, filters, sorts, multiple views
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full offline mode (desktop app)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 60+ (steep learning curve)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 200+ native + 2000+ via Zapier
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic (simple triggers and actions)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes; unlimited blocks for individuals
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes (native relations, rollups, and rollup filters)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 6 (Table, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery, Board, List)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10,000 (performance degrades noticeably after 5,000)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1,500+ (Zapier, Slack, webhooks, and native integrations)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Comments, mentions, reminders only
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $120/year (Plus plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 6 platforms (Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Advanced relational databases with filtering and sorting
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full real-time collaboration with comments and permissions
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Partial offline (web requires internet, mobile has limited offline mode)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Proprietary Notion format (limited standard export)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 30-60 minutes to understand core features
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Robust public API with extensive integration ecosystem
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (Plus plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Not FedRAMP authorized
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $0 (limited to 1M blocks/month)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (team plan dependent)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1-to-1, Many-to-1, Many-to-Many
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 12+ (Table, Board, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery, etc.)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 6+ (complex feature set requires training)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 8+ (PDF, HTML, Markdown, CSV, etc.)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (Plus plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Yes - unlimited blocks and databases
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 75+ million registered users (as of 2024)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $120 per year (Plus plan, no AI)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (Team plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited in Team plan
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited (per subscription)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Multi-level relations, rollups, and formulas
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: No (third-party integrations only)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: No (web-based only)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Notion AI included in Pro/Team plans
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Linear page-based structure
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full relational databases with filters, sorts, relations
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full offline capability with sync
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited blocks + 10 GB files
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (unlimited access)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 50+ integrated features
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited (requires extension)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Timeline view available; no dependency or critical path analysis
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Manual tracking only; no native capacity features
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10,000 rows (performance degrades)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited cross-database visibility
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $12 (Notion Team plan)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 3 requests/second
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1-2 seconds (1000-2000ms)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10+ (stable with minor lag)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: No native email; third-party only
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 100+ REST API endpoints
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Read-only offline mode
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1000+ community templates + Zapier/Make
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: iOS + Android official apps
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 800+ official templates
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Notion API + CSV/Markdown exports
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $14 (Pro plan, annual)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $32 (Team plan, annual)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 12 basic automation triggers
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 30 hours for proficiency
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Basic calendar view (limited critical path analysis)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited custom fields, relations, formulas, rollups, and linked databases
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 500+ via Zapier, 50+ native
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10 (billed annually)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: ~10,000+ templates
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited with cursor presence
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Optimized up to 10,000 items per view
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Database automations, API integrations, Zapier/Make support
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10.00 (or free)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 15+ (Table, Kanban, Calendar, Gallery, Timeline, etc.)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $120/month (Pro plan, capped usage)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $120/month (unlimited members, Pro)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 0 native (requires third-party integration)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Full rich-text editor with embeds
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Advanced, with rollups and filters
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited offline; requires internet for most features
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10-14 days for average user
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Sync requires active internet connection
Starting Price per User/Month (Annual Billing)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $10/user (free tier available)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Unlimited users, unlimited workspaces
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Third-party only (Zapier)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Advanced (rollups, lookups, formulas)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 3 requests/second (180/min)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 1.4s (typical page/database view)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 300+ integrations via Zapier/native
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: $0 (Unlimited free tier)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: No (requires integration)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 5 views (Table, Board, Calendar, Timeline, Gallery)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 30+ automation options
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 10+ types (includes relations, rollups, formulas, templates)
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: 2-4 hours to start productive work
Whimsical: N/A | Notion: Limited (basic role options, no granular permissions)
How to choose between Whimsical and Notion
Whimsical vs Notion — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Whimsical vs Notion. Contains 329 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Whimsical vs Notion — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Whimsical vs Notion.
Can I use Whimsical as a replacement for Notion?
No. Whimsical excels at visual design (flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps) but lacks databases, CRM capabilities, and document management that Notion provides. Whimsical is best used alongside Notion—create visual designs in Whimsical, then document requirements in Notion.
Is Notion worth the learning curve compared to Whimsical?
Yes, if your team needs to consolidate multiple tools. Notion's 8-20 hour setup pays off by replacing 5-7 separate tools (CRM, project management, wiki, docs), saving money and context-switching. For pure visual work, Whimsical's 1-2 hour onboarding is superior.
Which tool is better for team brainstorming?
Whimsical is significantly better for live brainstorming sessions. Its drag-and-drop interface, visual templates, and minimal learning curve make it ideal for real-time collaborative ideation. Notion's complexity slows down live whiteboarding sessions.
Can both tools integrate with other apps?
Whimsical has 12 native integrations (Slack, Jira, Zapier); Notion has 80+ native integrations plus unlimited Zapier connectivity. Notion is far more extensible for enterprise workflows. Neither integrates directly with the other.
What's the total cost for a 10-person team annually?
Whimsical: $19/month per workspace ≈ $228/year for the whole team. Notion: $10/month × 10 users = $1,200/year. Whimsical is dramatically cheaper for small teams focused on design work; Notion is cheaper per-user if replacing 5+ other tools.
How to Choose Between Whimsical and Notion
Primary Use Case: Whimsical has Visual diagramming, flowcharts, wireframes, brainstorming, while Notion has All-in-one workspace: docs, databases, wikis, CRM, project management.
Database & Structured Data: Whimsical has Not available - visual-only platform, while Notion has Relational databases with properties, filters, sorts, rollups.
Consider: Learning Curve (hours to productivity)
Learning Curve (hours to productivity): Whimsical has 1-2 hours for basic use, while Notion has 8-20 hours for proficiency.
Pricing (monthly team plan): Whimsical has $19/month per workspace, while Notion has $10/month per user (Team plan).
Integration Count: Whimsical has 12 native integrations, while Notion has 80+ native integrations via Zapier.
Real-time Collaboration Users: Whimsical has Up to 50 simultaneous editors, while Notion has Unlimited simultaneous editors.
Offline Access: Whimsical has Not available - cloud-only, while Notion has Available on Pro/Team plans.