Comparison · 11 shared capabilities
Microsoft 365 vs Notion
They overlap on 11 things. Microsoft 365 is stronger at 1 of them, Notion at 3, and they're roughly equal on 7. If you pay for both, check whether you use the parts that don't overlap.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft's business suite of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive, with Copilot Chat included.
From $7/seat/mo Verified
Notion
An all-in-one workspace for docs, wikis and lightweight databases, with Notion AI bundled into the Business plan.
From $10/seat/mo Verified
Capability by capability
| Capability | Microsoft 365 | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Ask questions across company documents | PartialAI answers grounded in work data need Microsoft 365 Copilot | PartialLabelled Beta |
| Automate simple app-to-app workflows | PartialPremium connectors and advanced flows need separate Power Automate licences | PartialCustom Agents cost $10 per 1,000 monthly Notion credits after the trial |
| Build dashboards from spreadsheets and data | PartialPower BI is sold separately | PartialOnly charts Notion database data |
| Collect information with forms and surveys | StrongLimited branding and advanced survey logic | PartialLimited branching and survey logic |
| General-purpose AI assistant | StrongCopilot Chat is web-grounded; grounding in your emails and files and Copilot inside Word/Excel/PowerPoint need Microsoft 365 Copilot (add-on) | StrongFree and Plus only include a limited AI trial |
| Manage projects and tasks | PartialBasic compared with dedicated project management tools | StrongRequires setup; less opinionated than dedicated PM tools |
| Run an internal knowledge base / wiki | PartialSharePoint is powerful but hard for non-experts to structure well | Core featurePage verification is Business and above |
| Store structured data in a shared database or spreadsheet | StrongLists is simpler than Airtable for relational data | StrongNot a full spreadsheet: weak for heavy calculations or large datasets |
| Transcribe and summarise meetings | PartialAI meeting summaries and recaps need the paid Copilot add-on | StrongTrial only on Free and Plus |
| Write documents and notes | Core featureBusiness Basic has web and mobile apps only | Core featureOffline support is weaker than desktop word processors |
| Write marketing and business copy | PartialIn-app drafting in Word and Outlook needs the Copilot add-on | PartialNo brand-voice controls comparable to marketing writing tools |
| Analyse data and spreadsheets | StrongDesktop Excel (best for analysis) needs Business Standard or above | — |
| Create presentation decks | Core featureFull desktop PowerPoint needs Business Standard or above | — |
| Hold video meetings | Core featureNot included in 'no Teams' versions or Apps for business | — |
| Proofread and improve writing | PartialOnly inside Microsoft apps | — |
| Build internal tools and lightweight apps | PartialPremium connectors need separate Power Apps licences | — |
| Edit videos | PartialSimple edits only | — |
| Build a business website | — | PartialVery limited layout and design control |
Choose Microsoft 365 if…
- • you need strong collect information with forms and surveys
- • you rely on analyse data and spreadsheets (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on create presentation decks (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on hold video meetings (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on proofread and improve writing (the other doesn't do it)
- • Complex Excel models, macros and PowerPoint templates rely on desktop Office
- • Exchange email, calendars and Teams history are core infrastructure
Choose Notion if…
- • you need strong transcribe and summarise meetings
- • you need strong run an internal knowledge base / wiki
- • you need strong manage projects and tasks
- • you rely on build a business website (the other doesn't do it)
- • Years of interlinked pages, relations and database views do not export cleanly to other tools
- • Teams often build their whole operating system (wiki, CRM-lite, roadmap) on Notion databases
Switch between them
Fit levels are editorial judgements based on each product's documented features. See each tool page for sources and verification dates.