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 for documentation, databases, and custom workflows. Basecamp excels at team collaboration and structured projects, whereas Notion offers superior customization and knowledge management capabilities.
Basecamp vs Notion — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Basecamp if you want a plug-and-play solution with built-in team communication, straightforward project tracking, and minimal setup time for small to mid-sized teams. Choose Notion if you need a highly customizable workspace for knowledge management, complex databases, cross-functional documentation, and organizations willing to invest time in configuration.
Simple, communication-focused project management tool with messaging and to-do lists
Cloud-based all-in-one workspace with databases, documents, wikis, and real-time collaboration.
Structured comparison data for Basecamp vs Notion with 499 attributes.
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Maximum Database Rows (optimal performance)
Real-time Simultaneous Collaborators (unlimited tier)
Native Data Visualization (charts, pivots)
Max Database Items Before Performance Degradation
Starting Price per User/Month (Annual Billing)
Base Monthly Cost Per User (Annual Billing)
Monthly Cost Per User (Team Plan, Annual Billing)
Maximum Concurrent Users Per Board/Workspace
Total Cost of Ownership (50 Users, Annual)
Basecamp vs Notion — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Basecamp vs Notion.
Which tool is better for small teams under 10 people?
Basecamp has a slight edge for very small teams due to lower cost ($99 flat vs $8-10/person) and zero learning curve. However, Notion's free tier makes it cost-effective for teams focused on documentation and databases. Choose Basecamp if you need immediate project tracking and built-in chat; choose Notion if you prioritize customization and knowledge management.
Can I use Notion for project management instead of Basecamp?
Yes, Notion supports project management through custom databases, kanban boards, and timelines, but it requires significant setup (5-10 hours). Basecamp's dedicated PM features are faster to implement. Notion works best when you need to combine project tracking with documentation, wiki pages, and knowledge bases in one place.
Does Notion have a chat feature like Basecamp?
No. Notion lacks native real-time messaging. You must integrate Slack, Discord, or Microsoft Teams for team communication. Basecamp includes Campfire, a built-in messaging system that works without additional tools, making it better for teams wanting unified communication.
Which has better pricing for growing teams?
Basecamp's $99/month flat rate is unbeatable for fixed-size teams up to 50 people. Notion becomes cheaper at scale—a 20-person team on Notion Pro ($8/user) costs $160/month vs Basecamp's $99, but a 100-person team pays $800/month on Notion vs $99 on Basecamp. Basecamp wins for stable team sizes; Notion wins if you're rapidly scaling.
Can I import my Basecamp data to Notion or vice versa?
There is no direct official importer between Basecamp and Notion. You can manually export Basecamp tasks/documents and recreate them in Notion using CSV imports or Zapier automation, but bulk migration requires custom scripts or manual work. Plan accordingly before switching platforms.