You may not need to sign up for Notion if you're an individual user or a small team. As long as you know the limitations of the free plan for everyday use, it may be all you need.
1. Unlimited number of pages and blocks for individuals
When using the free version of Notion as an individual, you can create as many pages and blocks (for example, text, headings, checkboxes, bullets) as you like. So if you're afraid that at some point you'll reach your limit, don't worry!
The only time you are limited on the free plan is when you create a team workspace, which is limited to 1,000 blocks. However, you can solve this problem by creating as many team workspaces as needed.
2. Unlimited storage space
The free plan on Notion allows you to upload as many files as you want. However, you can only upload 5MB at a time, while there is no upload limit for paid plans. But this is not as limiting as you think, because if you are an average user, you will not upload large files.
Besides, there are many ways to solve this problem. For example, large files can always be compressed or uploaded to cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive or OneDrive) and then embedded in Notion.
3. 7-day page history
Notion's free plan includes a 7-day page history that lets you view and restore previous versions of pages from the past week. Plus and Business plans extend this period to 30 and 90 days, respectively. However, a 7-day time frame is usually enough for most users.
For example, if people plan to edit their content, they will usually do so within a few days of making the change. So, if people want to go back to an older version, they will usually do it within those 7 days.
Additionally, you can always get around this limitation by exporting your pages whenever you make important changes. You'll always have backups this way, which can help build a long-term archive of pages beyond 7, 30, or 90 days.
4. You can still integrate the site with your favorite apps
If you're on the free plan, you can still integrate Notion with some of your favorite apps, such as Slack, Asana, Jira, and Figma. The biggest limitation of the free plan in this regard is the ability to create database automation. The only app where you can do that for free is Slack, but if you want to create custom automations for all kinds of situations, you'll have to pay.
But if all you need is basic integration with the apps you already use and automation with Slack, which many teams use, then the free plan will meet your needs.
5. Many free templates to choose from
Whether you're on a free or paid plan, you can still access similar templates on Notion. Although there are paid templates, there are no premium templates available exclusively to paid members.
One problem you will encounter is templates with custom database automation. Although they will run on the free plan, you won't be able to edit or delete them unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
But if the template already does what you need, you won't need to change it, which is great for the average user.
6. You can invite up to 10 guests
With the free plan, Notion lets you add up to 10 guests, temporary collaborators who are not members of your organization, to your Notion workspace. Paid plans let you add 100 or more guests. Unless you want to build a very large group, 10 guests is enough for most situations.
Additionally, you can always delete inactive guests or create multiple workspaces to accommodate more people. Notion is flexible enough to let you structure your collaboration space in meaningful ways when you reach your limits.
When deciding whether you need a free or paid plan on Notion, it's best to evaluate your needs. If you're new to Notion, you should start with the 1-month free plan to see if it's enough for you. If you find yourself constantly encountering limitations that affect your workflow, you may want to consider upgrading to a paid plan.
