Last Updated on January 27, 2025
As a long-time Notion user, this makes the journey of the platform really interesting throughout the years. Fast forward to 2024/2025, and it has rolled out the new Pro Plan for Notion, in which many of its users are curious to find out if the subscription is worth it. So, with the release of the new Notion Pro plan, I’m going to share my personal experience and thoughts on this one to help you know if Notion Pro is the way to go.
Is Notion Plus Worth It? A Raw Truth About Productivity Tax (2024)
Let me be honest with you – I’ve spent countless hours debating whether to upgrade my Notion workspace. That little “Upgrade” button kept staring at me, promising enhanced productivity and unlimited possibilities. But here’s the thing: most people are asking the wrong question.
It’s not about whether Notion Plus is worth the money. It’s about understanding the real cost of staying in the free tier when your digital life demands more.
The Productivity Tax You’re Already Paying
Here’s what nobody tells you about sticking with Notion’s free plan: you’re paying a tax. Not with money, but with something far more valuable – your time and mental bandwidth. When you hit that file upload limit, struggle with limited version history, can’t share your workspace with more team members, or miss out on advanced analytics, you’re paying a productivity tax. And unlike money, you can’t earn back lost time.
This is especially crucial for content creators and digital entrepreneurs. As Dan Koe, a successful creator, points out – you need to become your own media company that attracts people to your independent work. Whether it’s self-published books, digital products, or expertise, your success depends on having a robust system to organize and execute your ideas. When your primary tool – your digital workspace – is limited, it’s like trying to build an empire with one hand tied behind your back.
The Real Numbers Behind Notion Plus
Let’s cut through the marketing speak and look at what you actually get for your money. Notion Plus offers unlimited file uploads (compared to 5MB per file in free), unlimited version history (versus 30-day history), advanced page analytics, priority support, and advanced sharing permissions.
The Hidden ROI
The real value lies in what these features mean for your workflow. File Freedom eliminates the need to play “digital Tetris” with your uploads. Time Machine Access ensures you never lose important work again. The Insight Edge helps you understand how your team uses information, while the Control Matrix provides granular permissions for better collaboration.
When Notion Plus Becomes Non-Negotiable
I’ve identified three specific scenarios where staying on the free plan is actually costing you more. For content creators and digital entrepreneurs, this is particularly critical. As Dan Koe emphasizes, “You are the CEO, CMO, and COO of your one-person business.” You need a system that can handle:
- Content Creation Pipeline: Media files exceed basic limits, you need robust version control for your drafts, and your creative process requires seamless organization.
- Brand Building & Audience Growth: Workspace organization demands advanced features to track audience engagement, content performance, and business metrics.
- Business Operations: As your personal brand grows, collaboration with team members/clients becomes crucial, requiring advanced permissions and seamless file sharing.
For business owners and project managers, the needs are equally pressing – client deliverables need version control, team coordination requires advanced tools, and analytics drive decision-making.
The Truth About Free vs. Plus
Here’s what I’ve learned after using both plans. The free plan is perfect if you’re a solo user with basic needs, your file uploads are minimal, basic collaboration suffices, and you don’t need advanced analytics. However, Plus becomes essential when your work depends on Notion, team collaboration is critical, file management is a daily task, and version control matters.
The Decision Framework
Instead of asking “Is Notion Plus worth it?”, consider how much time you spend working around file limits, managing team access, and searching for old versions. Think about the cost of lost work due to limited version history, inefficient file sharing, and basic permission systems. These hidden costs often outweigh the subscription fee.
My Personal Verdict
After months of hesitation, I upgraded to Plus. The decision came down to one realization: I was spending more time managing Notion’s limitations than actually using it for productivity. The moment I upgraded, file management became seamless, collaboration improved dramatically, version control anxiety disappeared, and workspace organization simplified.
The Strategic Approach
If you’re on the fence, start by tracking your friction points – note every limitation you encounter, calculate time spent on workarounds, and document collaboration bottlenecks. Then, run a two-week test using Notion intensively, documenting all limitations encountered and calculating the productivity impact. Finally, make an informed decision by comparing friction costs versus Plus price, considering your growth trajectory, and factoring in team needs.
The Bottom Line
Notion Plus isn’t about features – it’s about removing friction from your digital workspace. The question isn’t whether you can afford Plus; it’s whether you can afford the productivity tax of staying free.
Your digital workspace is either working for you or against you. There’s no middle ground.
Your Next Move
Don’t make this decision based on features or price alone. Instead, document your Notion usage for two weeks, calculate your current productivity tax, project your future workspace needs, and make a decision based on data, not doubt.
Remember: The cost of Plus isn’t just financial – it’s an investment in your digital peace of mind.
The choice is yours, but don’t let false economy cost you real productivity.
P.S. If you’re still unsure, start with a month of Plus. Worst case? You’ll know exactly what you’re missing. Best case? You’ll wonder why you waited so long.