Choosing Wisely: thisthat vs notion which is better for beginners in 2024

Published 23 July 2026

The decision between thisthat and Notion isn’t just about which app has prettier interfaces—it’s about aligning your workflow with your cognitive style. One is a structured fortress of databases; the other is a flexible canvas where ideas flow freely. For beginners, this distinction matters more than most realize. The wrong choice can turn productivity into frustration, while the right one can transform how you organize thoughts, track projects, and build habits. Both platforms have exploded in popularity, but their philosophies couldn’t be more different—and that’s exactly why you need to understand their core strengths before committing.

Consider this: Notion has become the digital equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, offering templates for everything from wikis to habit trackers. Its strength lies in customization, but that flexibility comes with a learning curve that can overwhelm those who prefer simplicity. Meanwhile, thisthat operates on a principle of minimalism, stripping away complexity to focus on what matters most: visual task management. The trade-off? Less granular control over data structures. For someone drowning in options, thisthat’s streamlined approach might feel like a breath of fresh air. But for those who thrive on tinkering with systems, Notion’s depth could be irresistible.

What separates the two isn’t just their feature sets—it’s their underlying psychology. Notion rewards users who enjoy building intricate systems; thisthat caters to those who want to do without overthinking the setup. The question isn’t which tool is "better" in an absolute sense, but which one will make your daily workflow feel effortless rather than cumbersome. And for beginners, that difference can mean the gap between sticking with a tool for years or abandoning it after a week.

The Complete Overview of thisthat vs notion which is better for beginners

At first glance, both thisthat and Notion appear to solve the same fundamental problem: organizing information, tasks, and projects in a digital space. Yet their design philosophies couldn’t be more opposed. Notion, with its origins in the startup world, prioritizes adaptability—users can create databases, link pages, and build interconnected knowledge bases with near-limitless configurations. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to morph into whatever system a user needs, whether that’s a project management hub, a personal wiki, or a collaborative workspace.

thisthat, on the other hand, emerged from a frustration with over-engineered tools. Its creators asked: What if productivity tools didn’t require setup? The answer was a no-frills interface focused on three core elements—lists, boards, and calendars—without the clutter of customizable fields or nested databases. Where Notion feels like a blank canvas waiting for an artist’s vision, thisthat feels like a well-oiled machine designed to handle the mechanics of daily life without distraction. For beginners, this simplicity can be a double-edged sword: it’s easier to start, but harder to grow beyond basic use cases.

Historical Background and Evolution

Notion’s journey began in 2016 as a simple note-taking app, but its real evolution came when it embraced the concept of "connected knowledge." The team recognized that users didn’t just want to store information—they wanted to relate it. This led to the introduction of databases, relations between pages, and a visual block system that allowed for dynamic layouts. By 2020, Notion had become a cultural phenomenon, adopted by students, remote teams, and even Fortune 500 companies for its versatility. Its growth was fueled by a viral template economy, where users shared pre-built systems for everything from meal planning to legal document tracking.

thisthat, conversely, entered the scene with a counterintuitive premise: Less is more. Launched in 2021, it was built in response to what its founders called "tool fatigue"—the exhaustion that comes from juggling multiple apps for tasks, notes, and reminders. The app’s minimalist design was influenced by the "Getting Things Done" (GTD) methodology, which emphasizes capturing tasks without overcomplicating the process. Unlike Notion, which encourages users to build elaborate systems, thisthat provides a fixed set of tools and expects users to adapt their workflows to them. This approach has resonated particularly with beginners who find Notion’s flexibility intimidating.

Core Mechanisms: How It Works

Notion’s power lies in its modularity. At its core, everything is a "block"—a unit of content that can be text, a to-do list, an embedded calendar, or even a code snippet. Users can nest these blocks within pages, creating hierarchical structures that resemble digital notebooks. The platform’s real magic, however, comes from its database functionality. A single database can serve as a task list, a content calendar, or a CRM, with customizable properties like status, priority, or due dates. Relations allow users to link databases, creating a web of interconnected data that mimics real-world systems.

thisthat operates on a fundamentally different principle: constraints breed focus. The app provides three primary views—Lists, Boards, and Calendar—each optimized for a specific type of workflow. Lists are linear, ideal for task management; Boards use Kanban-style columns for visual progress tracking; and the Calendar integrates with Google Calendar for time-based planning. Unlike Notion, there’s no concept of custom databases or relations. Instead, thisthat enforces a simpler model: tasks are either in a list, on a board, or scheduled in a calendar. This rigidity is intentional—it removes decision fatigue for beginners who might otherwise get stuck configuring their ideal system.

Key Benefits and Crucial Impact

The choice between thisthat and Notion often boils down to a fundamental question: Do you want a tool that grows with you, or one that helps you start immediately? Notion’s strength is its scalability. As your needs evolve—from personal task management to team collaboration—the platform can adapt without requiring a migration to a new tool. This makes it ideal for long-term users who anticipate their workflows becoming more complex over time. The trade-off? The initial learning curve can be steep, especially for those who prefer to dive in without reading manuals.

thisthat, meanwhile, excels in the "just work" category. Its simplicity means beginners can import tasks from other apps (like Google Tasks or Todoist) and start organizing within minutes. There’s no need to design databases or configure properties—just drag tasks into the appropriate view. This low-friction entry point is a major advantage for users who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of options in Notion. However, this simplicity also means hitting a ceiling quickly. Once your tasks outgrow the basic views, expanding further requires workarounds that feel clunky compared to Notion’s native capabilities.

"The best tool is the one you’ll use consistently—not the one that offers the most features." — Productivity researcher Cal Newport

Major Advantages

• Notion’s flexibility: Custom databases, relations, and nested pages allow for highly tailored systems. Ideal for users who enjoy building and refining their workflow over time.
• thisthat’s simplicity: No setup required. Perfect for beginners who want to focus on tasks rather than tool configuration.
• Collaboration in Notion: Real-time editing, comments, and shared databases make it a strong choice for teams or family planning.
• thisthat’s integration: Seamless sync with Google Calendar and Tasks reduces the need for multiple apps, appealing to minimalists.
• Notion’s template ecosystem: Thousands of pre-built templates (from habit trackers to legal document organizers) provide instant solutions for common use cases.

Comparative Analysis

Future Trends and Innovations

The battle between thisthat and Notion isn’t just about today’s features—it’s about where each platform is headed. Notion is already investing heavily in AI-assisted workflows, with features like auto-generated summaries and smart templates that adapt to user behavior. The company’s focus on "connected knowledge" suggests future iterations will prioritize smarter data relationships, potentially blurring the lines between note-taking and database management. For beginners, this could mean even more templates and guided onboarding, but also a risk of the platform becoming too complex for casual users.

thisthat, meanwhile, may double down on its minimalist ethos by introducing subtle enhancements—such as better task prioritization algorithms or automated reminders—that don’t disrupt its core simplicity. The app’s future could hinge on its ability to prove that "less" can indeed be "more" even as competitors pile on features. If it succeeds, we might see a resurgence of the "anti-Notion" movement, where users reject over-engineered tools in favor of focused, distraction-free alternatives. For now, the trend favors Notion’s expansion, but thisthat’s niche appeal to minimalists ensures it won’t disappear.

Conclusion

Deciding between thisthat and Notion for beginners isn’t a matter of objective superiority—it’s about matching a tool to your personality and workflow needs. If you’re someone who thrives on structure, enjoys customizing systems, and plans to use the tool for years, Notion’s depth will serve you well. Its ability to adapt to nearly any use case makes it the Swiss Army knife of productivity apps. But if you’re easily overwhelmed by options, prefer to keep things simple, and primarily need a task manager, thisthat’s no-frills approach might be the better fit.

The key insight is this: the "best" tool for beginners is the one that doesn’t get in your way. Notion demands engagement—you’ll need to invest time in learning its quirks and building your ideal system. thisthat, by contrast, asks for almost nothing upfront. The trade-off is that Notion grows with you, while thisthat may feel limiting as your needs expand. Neither choice is wrong—only mismatched. For those who prioritize speed and simplicity, thisthat vs notion which is better for beginners has a clear answer. For everyone else, the question is worth asking.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Can I migrate my data from thisthat to Notion (or vice versa)?

A: Notion doesn’t offer a direct import tool for thisthat data, but you can manually export tasks from thisthat (as CSV or Google Tasks) and import them into Notion using its "Import from CSV" feature. The reverse is easier—Notion’s "Share to thisthat" option allows you to push tasks directly, though formatting may vary. For complex databases, a third-party tool like Zapier can help bridge the gap, but expect some manual cleanup.

Q: Which tool is better for students?

A: Notion is generally better for students due to its versatility. You can create study schedules, linked notes, research databases, and even collaborative group projects. thisthat’s simplicity makes it better for basic task lists (like assignments and deadlines), but lacks the depth for organizing course materials or connecting ideas across subjects. That said, if a student prefers visual task boards over databases, thisthat’s Kanban view could be a strong alternative.

Q: Does thisthat offer offline access?

A: Yes, thisthat supports offline mode for both mobile and web versions. Tasks and boards sync automatically when you reconnect to the internet. Notion also offers offline access, but with limitations—certain features (like real-time collaboration) require an active connection. For beginners prioritizing offline reliability, thisthat’s consistency may be preferable.

Q: Can I use both tools together?

A: Absolutely. Many users pair thisthat for daily task management with Notion for long-term projects or knowledge bases. For example, you might use thisthat to track personal to-dos while storing research notes or meeting agendas in Notion. The two can complement each other, especially if you leverage Notion’s "External Link" block to reference thisthat boards directly. However, this approach adds complexity—only do it if the integration saves you time.

Q: Is thisthat’s free plan sufficient for beginners?

A: Yes, thisthat’s free plan includes unlimited tasks, boards, and calendar events, with basic sharing options. The only limitations are customization (e.g., no color-coding for tags) and priority support. For most beginners, these restrictions are minor. Notion’s free plan, while robust, imposes a 5MB file upload limit and blocks certain advanced features like version history. If you’re unsure, start with thisthat’s free tier—its simplicity makes it risk-free to try.

Q: How does thisthat compare to Trello or Todoist?

A: thisthat sits between Trello (visual Kanban boards) and Todoist (minimalist task lists). Like Trello, it offers board views for project tracking, but without Trello’s extensive power-ups or team features. Compared to Todoist, thisthat adds calendar integration and board layouts, making it more versatile for users who need both linear and visual task management. If you’re torn between the three, ask yourself: Do you prefer lists (Todoist), boards (Trello), or a hybrid (thisthat)?

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