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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Notion vs Google Docs

Notion 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Tie
Google Docs 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

Notion is better for users seeking a highly customizable and flexible workspace for complex organization, while Google Docs is superior for straightforward document creation, real-time collaboration, and broad accessibility.

Full reviews: Notion · Google Docs

Notion offers powerful organization and project management with high flexibility, but users report frequent bugs and frustration with forced AI features. Google Docs excels at simple document creation and real-time collaboration, though its mobile app is often criticized for limited features and performance issues.

Head to head

Features and Customization edge: NotionR2R5R6R7
Notion Notion is praised for its extensive features, allowing users to build structured yet flexible projects, manage businesses, track goals, and organize personal affairs, with many calling it a 'second brain' R2R5R17. Users appreciate its ability to create lists, pages, checkboxes, and time slots, and some find the AI tool helpful for these tasks . However, a significant number of users are frustrated by the constant push of AI features, finding them unnecessary, annoying, and even detrimental to their workflow and creativity R6R7R21R28.
Google Docs Google Docs is valued for its core functionality as a writing platform and its real-time collaboration capabilities R62. Users appreciate its ease of use for taking notes, writing stories, and managing school assignments . However, many users find the mobile app's features limited compared to the desktop version, noting issues with formatting options, image manipulation, and the inability to open multiple documents R61R62R66R69. Some also dislike the intrusive Gemini AI suggestions .
Ease of Use tieR4R16R17R23
Notion Notion is described as intuitive and easy to use by some, especially for organizing complex information R17. However, others find it confusing and difficult to navigate, particularly when trying to use templates or understand where items are saved R16R23. The mobile view is a significant pain point, with users reporting issues like the screen auto-adjusting while typing, making it unusable R4R37.
Google Docs Google Docs is generally considered easy to use for its primary function of writing and editing . However, users report difficulties with basic functions like deleting documents, finding files, and placing the cursor accurately . The mobile app's UI is often criticized as not user-friendly and lacking desktop features, making it challenging to use as a primary tool R61R66.
Reliability and Performance tieR3R9R10R13
Notion Notion users frequently report significant reliability and performance issues, especially on mobile devices. Problems include constant crashing, freezing, slow loading times, and pages becoming unresponsive R3R10R13R15. Specific bugs mentioned include issues with voice-to-text, template downloads, adding comments, and Google Sign-In R9R28. Some users note that updates often introduce more bugs .
Google Docs Google Docs also faces performance criticism, with users reporting absurd lag when typing, especially on mobile, and the app draining battery . Other reliability issues include documents disappearing, inability to open files, and problems with pasting photos or screenshots . Some users also experience issues with Wi-Fi disconnection on iPhones while using the app .
Price and Value edge: Google DocsR8R47R56R60
Notion Notion offers a free version that many users find valuable for personal use, with some stating it serves them well even without a paid subscription R56. Others highlight the value of paid plans, like the 'education plus plan' for unlimited access R47. However, some users express frustration with the subscription model, particularly regarding paying per member for limited access or the inability to control workspace access R60. One user noted a significant subscription price increase R8.
Google Docs Google Docs is widely praised for being free and accessible, with users appreciating the free cloud service for saving documents . However, some users are frustrated by the need to pay for additional storage and the requirement to download multiple Google apps (Docs and Drive) for simple tasks .
Support tieR8R52R84
Notion Notion users report difficulties with customer service, such as inability to submit support requests due to form errors R8. There's also a mention of a bot providing incorrect information about iPad support R52.
Google Docs Reviews for Google Docs do not frequently mention direct customer support experiences. One user expressed a need for clearer steps and acknowledgment when saving documents for those less familiar with cloud-based auto-saving R84.
Pick Notion if

you need a highly flexible and customizable workspace for complex project management, personal organization, or business operations, and are willing to tolerate occasional bugs and frequent updates R2R17.

Pick Google Docs if

you primarily need a free, reliable word processor for simple document creation, real-time collaboration, and note-taking, and value broad accessibility across devices R62.

Evidence note: Notion's recent reviews show a strong negative sentiment regarding bugs and AI features, contrasting with its higher lifetime rating, suggesting a decline in recent user satisfaction. Google Docs, despite its high lifetime rating, also has a significant number of recent negative reviews, particularly concerning mobile app limitations and performance.

Frequently asked

Is Notion good for mobile use?
Notion's mobile app experience is frequently criticized, with users reporting critical bugs like the screen adjusting out of view while typing, issues with long documents loading, and general slowness and unresponsiveness, making it unusable for many R4R13R15R37.
Does Google Docs have all features on mobile?
No, Google Docs' mobile app is widely reported to have limited features compared to its Chrome browser version, with users noting a lack of formatting options, difficulty with image manipulation, and the inability to open multiple documents simultaneously R61R62R66R69.
Are AI features prominent in these apps?
Yes, both apps have integrated AI features, but user reception varies; Notion users are largely frustrated by AI being 'shoved down your throat' and finding it unnecessary or detrimental R6R7R21R28, while Google Docs users dislike intrusive Gemini suggestions .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Notion 5/5 · US my notion is amazing: this is the best platform for planning and building your projects that you will ever use. it can be so structured but also has incredible flexibility, and sharing workspaces with others is fast and easy. I have been using this tool for years and will continue to do so. the only thing I wish there was is a mind map feature within pages to allow users a visual representation fo
  2. [R5] Notion 5/5 · US Journaling: Notion has always been a great place to jot down and plan my life out.
  3. [R6] Notion 3/5 · US I love Notion, Not AI…: I use Notion everyday to help me stick to a schedule and plan my life. I despise AI, and the fact it’s even in the title name is repulsive. It’s painful to love this app due to them feeding into this.
  4. [R7] Notion 2/5 · US Pls cut back use of ai: Love notion, great app. Hate that ai is shoved down your throat at every turn. Can’t click a single thing without “ai can do this for you!!” I don’t want ai to do it for me. I am here because I want to do it. Ai sucks the fun out of everything. The second I find an alternative that does not use ai is the second I drop notion like a hot potato and switch over everything.
  5. [R4] Notion 1/5 · US Issue Mobile View when Typing: Great software, great usages for all sorts of people, BUT the mobile app just struggles with one critical bug that makes the whole thing unusable. When I’m typing, the screen auto-adjusts the view so that where I’m currently typing is just out of view. When this happens, I cannot see what I am typing, hence why the app becomes unusable. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FIX THIS!
  6. [R16] Notion 1/5 · US Redundant: Why? Confusing. Hard to track where items are saved. In a world of Notes app and other apps, I don’t understand where this fits
  7. [R17] Notion 5/5 · US It’s my second brain: I could not live without Notion. It’s like my second brain for my business, mindset, health. Everything. The app is so fast and easy to use. Well done team
  8. [R23] Notion 5/5 · US second try!: tbh i didn’t like notion at first & didn’t understand the hype. i gave it another try & now i have it all of my devices. it’s so nice being able to access everything on each one. i’m slowly learning how to use it better & can’t wait to be a pro at it!
  9. [R3] Notion 3/5 · US AI chatbot feature is very buggy: Takes long to load, especially on long threads, to the point where i have to quit the app and download again.
  10. [R9] Notion 3/5 · US Templates not available: Overall wonderful app but I am frustrated by the non mobile friendly usage at times. I believe there may be a bug (at least when I’m on iPad) when trying to download a new template. I can find them, see them, but cannot download them or even view the product page for them.
  11. [R10] Notion 1/5 · US Latest updates are a problem: Notion has always been fantastic until it wasn’t. The last couple of releases it seems like it has gone downhill considerably. The screens seem to have a mind of their own now and it crashes more frequently than it ever has.
  12. [R13] Notion 2/5 · US Long documents don’t work on iPhone 12: I’ve used notion for years and it is a great product on desktop! I use long lists with checkboxes and it doesn’t load correctly on iPhone 12. I get 1/5 of the way down the page and it blacks out, shows a loading spinner, and resets me at the top. 100% broken. There is no value on mobile at least iPhone 12. Even when trying to load it is janky AF. Lookin
  13. [R8] Notion 4/5 · US I love notion but when I’m trying to contact costumer service: I’ve been using Notion for a while, and I really love the app. It’s been an amazing tool for staying organized. However, I’m disappointed with my recent billing experience. My subscription increased from $12 to $26, and I wanted to speak with a customer support representative to understand why. Unfortunately, when I try to submit a sup
  14. [R47] Notion 5/5 · US Love this app: OMG this app is Soo good I really love the education plus plan! I get unlimited access to so many things! I have my whole study system and calendar here
  15. [R56] Notion 5/5 · US Best software for everything: This is the best software for all my work. I can’t find any like it. Even though I still use the free version because of a lack of funds, it serves. Imagine if I paid a subscription! Thank you, Notion!
  16. [R60] Notion 3/5 · GB Great except the subscription model: I really like that I can have everything in one place and everything is so customisable. There are a couple of things that are frustrating about the app - Paying per member when you might just want to give someone view access. Adding members to workspaces: They have to have access to an entire workspace. You might not want them to see everything under one wor
  17. [R52] Notion 2/5 · US iPad Support: The iPhone and web versions of Notion are themselves quite glitchy and sometimes baffling from a UX perspective. But the iPad experience is inexcusable and effectively unusable. I don’t know how the app says “Supported on this iPad” and even has an Editor’s Choice award when even if you go to Notion support to ask about all of the bugs in the iPad experience, the bot will just tell y
  18. [R84] Google Docs 3/5 · US Saving a doc in Google Docs: There was no way to save a doc I created, but when I opened Google Docs, it had bern saved. For people from the 20th century, we need actual steps- acknowledgement when something is happening. 💥
  19. [R15] Notion 3/5 · US Great App, Performance Issues: I work at a music studio, and this app is amazing at organizing music, students, and schedules. However, on both my iPhone 13 mini and 8th gen iPad, the app is just so slow that it really impedes my work. If they could release a performance optimization update, this review would be 5 stars.
  20. [R37] Notion 1/5 · US I love Notion! I HATE this app!!: I have attempted to use what I create on my phone and it is impossible. They completely reorganize to make it fit a phone screen. It sucks soo badly!!!
  21. [R61] Google Docs 1/5 · US Not useful as a primary tool: This app is extremely limited compared to the Chrome version. The UX is so vastly different that it can’t be used as a primary tool.
  22. [R62] Google Docs 4/5 · US Great way to share documents: Things I love: it is cross platform (works on PC, iPad and iPhone); it lets me not only share documents but collaborate real-time (as does Sheets). Things I don’t love: organizing and finding files is not as easy as in Explorer or Finder. Formatting options for documents are minimal - if I want good formatting, I need to export it elsewhere. I then have the opt
  23. [R66] Google Docs 3/5 · US Good but stripped down and occasionally annoying: Docs is good but the app lacks a lot of features and trying to edit in browser to access them in browser leads to a pop up to download the app. Does not support split screen on ipad making transferring info between docs very annoying. Word app is better.
  24. [R69] Google Docs 3/5 · US Mobile: Can you make it easier to size pictures on mobile. mobile is really difficult which I know is kind of a nonissue but PLS
  25. [R21] Notion 3/5 · US Peak: Get rid of the ai tho stop wasting water for no reason 🥹 and you’ll get two starts back
  26. [R28] Notion 1/5 · US Voice to text on IOS still not working: Voice to text syncs incorrectly. It’s been months. MONTHS. A few words randomly disappear and it makes Notion unusable for me. Please for the love of God, stop adding more AI features NOBODY asked for and fix the app so we can actually use it.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store