This notes app made me notice why my Notion analysis at all times felt so fragmented

For the previous few years, I’ve been using Notion for almost everything. Whether I wished to avoid wasting helpful hyperlinks or take notes, it was at all times my go-to possibility. I additionally relied on Notion for my analysis. I had a database for sources and a separate web page for each subject. I might additionally seek for one thing once I wanted it. On paper, it was an organized system. That being stated, generally I’d hit a wall.

When my analysis will get sophisticated, I typically really feel like I’m accumulating info moderately than truly connecting it. I needed to soar between pages to determine how these concepts associated to at least one one other.

After making an attempt a number of note-taking apps, I lastly discovered Heptabase.

Meet Heptabase

A visible workspace for considering by means of analysis

Heptabase is a note-taking and knowledge-management app which is very designed for studying, analysis, and making sense of complicated matters. It has a desktop app and cell assist as properly. So, you possibly can entry your work throughout units.

Heptabase is made for individuals who work a number of concepts without delay. For instance, college students writing a thesis or writers researching long-form items. If your notes largely have to-do lists and assembly minutes, you do not really want Heptabase. On the flip facet, in the event you spend your time studying, considering, and connecting concepts, Heptabase is made for you.

The core ideas that make Heptabase completely different

It’s not a standard notes app

See, the most important distinction is not that Heptabase has playing cards or that Notion has pages. Rather, it is how these items of data are meant for use.

Heptabase works round two core concepts:

Card: It’s a small notice the place you possibly can retailer a single concept. You can add textual content, headings, lists, pictures, information, tables, movies, and different content material. They stay in a central Card Library moderately than belonging completely to at least one whiteboard. So, you possibly can place a single card throughout a number of spatial boards with out creating duplicate information.

In Notion, I primarily organized my notes into lengthy pages. In Heptabase, I can break them into smaller items and manage them round concepts. I discover this handy once I need to reuse info or work out how my concepts are linked.

Whiteboard: This is the place Heptabase actually separates itself. A whiteboard provides you an infinite canvas the place you place playing cards and organize them nevertheless is smart for the venture you’re engaged on.

Notion additionally provides you a canvas-like really feel in some locations, however Heptabase is made round visible considering. I can drag associated concepts subsequent to one another and draw arrows between them. I may also spot connections or gaps at a look. And, it helped me perceive why my analysis had at all times felt fragmented.

It helped me spot patterns I missed in Notion

I can see how my analysis is linked

The actual take a look at got here once I used Heptabase for an precise venture. When I exploit Notion, I’d normally begin with a web page after which construct it downward. I normally have a title, a number of headings, subheadings, notes, hyperlinks, and maybe a database containing associated assets. This construction works properly once I have already got all the data.

However, analysis is not at all times like that. Many occasions, I begin with a query moderately than an overview. I dump a number of concepts and do not know which of them will grow to be vital or how completely different ideas will finally match collectively.

So, I used to be excited to attempt the infinite whiteboard in Heptabase. I began by studying a number of sources and turning the important thing concepts into playing cards, one concept every. Frankly talking, it felt slower than pasting highlights right into a Notion web page. I took time and dropped these playing cards onto a whiteboard. The payoff was instant. I might see clusters forming. It confirmed me three playing cards from completely different sources had been saying primarily the identical factor. Two others contradicted one another. When I received to see them facet by facet, they made extra sense than once they had been buried in separate paperwork. There was additionally an empty space the place an argument wanted assist I hadn’t discovered but.

That’s what I had been lacking. Notion held my analysis, however Heptabase let me take a look at it. This makes it simpler to stipulate a subject, and once I began drafting, I wasn’t watching a clean web page. I already had a construction that I might see.

Some fast recommendations on getting began

A couple of issues I discovered whereas utilizing Heptabase

If you’re used to strict folder timber or structured database lists, Heptabase’s clean canvas would possibly really feel overwhelming. I felt the identical. But when you begin utilizing it, you’ll certainly prefer it.

First, you need to begin utilizing Heptabase for one venture. There’s no have to get excited and attempt to migrate your complete workspace in at some point. Also, preserve your playing cards small. I mainly comply with the rule of 1 concept per card. It makes every thing else work. Rather than a broad subject, I choose to make use of a whiteboard per query or venture. I make a board for a particular query or venture, like “Should I transfer my picture library from Google Photos to a self-hosted possibility?” as an alternative of “Cloud storage”. That’s as a result of centered boards are simpler to learn, and you may reuse the identical card on a number of boards.

Unlike Notion, I don’t add a variety of tags instantly in Heptabase. I let the construction take form on the whiteboard first. While engaged on a venture, I ensure to go to my boards commonly. This helps me see new connections and patterns over time.

Heptabase vs. Notion: fast comparability

Two instruments, two very alternative ways to prepare info

Both Notion and Heptabase are used to prepare info, however I don’t assume they’re the identical. Each of them has completely different core designs, strengths, and even use circumstances.

Let’s have a fast take a look at how Notion and Heptabase compares:

It’s value understanding that Heptabase is a paid product with a trial moderately than a beneficiant free tier. On the opposite hand, Notion provides you a free plan that covers loads.

Heptabase is not essentially a Notion substitute

After utilizing Heptabase, I haven’t abandoned Notion. I exploit each of them on an on a regular basis foundation. I really feel these two apps repair two completely different issues. When I need to handle duties, observe initiatives, collaborate with somebody, and preserve reference materials I have to lookup shortly, I exploit Notion.

On the flip facet, once I need to do deep analysis, examine complicated materials, or write lengthy items that join many sources, I choose utilizing Heptabase.