If you’re a freelancer, chances are you’ve gone down the rabbit hole of productivity apps at least once. Maybe twice. Maybe every January when you swear this is the year you get your business completely organized.

I’ve been there. I’ve tested ClickUp, I’ve committed to Notion, and I’ve spent far too much time tweaking my setups instead of actually working. So, if you’re stuck trying to decide between these two, I got you.

I’m breaking down Notion vs. ClickUp from a freelancer’s perspective—what actually works, what feels like overkill, and which one I’d recommend if you’re running your business solo.

Oh, and heads up: I use Notion every day, and this post contains an affiliate link, meaning if you sign up through it, I get a little commission at no extra cost to you.

Why These Two?

Freelancers need a workspace that makes sense, not a corporate-level system designed for 50+ employees. That’s where Notion and ClickUp come in—they’re two of the most powerful (and hyped) productivity tools out there.

But they’re very different.

• Notion is flexible, minimal, and aesthetic. It’s perfect if you like to customize everything and don’t need rigid project management systems.
• ClickUp is structured, feature-packed, and built for teams. It’s a great option if you need heavy-duty project management but can feel overwhelming for solo freelancers.

So, which one actually makes sense for you?

Notion

I started using Notion because I wanted one tool to do everything—project tracking, client info, content planning, finances, even personal notes. And the best part is I could make it look how I wanted.

✅ Pros

✔ Completely Customizable → You can build your own dashboards, databases, task lists, and more. If you love organizing things your way, you’ll love this.

✔ Minimal but Powerful → Unlike ClickUp, Notion doesn’t overwhelm you with features the second you log in. You build only what you need.

✔ Perfect for Solo Freelancers → No complex team management tools, just a clean space to organize your work and ideas.

✔ Aesthetics Matter → Let’s be real, we’re in these tools all day. If you like things to look nice, Notion lets you design your workspace beautifully.

I use Notion for:

• Tracking client projects
• Organizing my finances
• Content calendar + idea bank
• Goal setting
• Random brain dumps at 2 AM

❌ Cons

✖ Not Great for Task-Heavy Workflows → If you need automations, dependencies, and hardcore task tracking, Notion might feel too loose.

✖ The Setup Takes Time → Because it’s a blank slate, you have to build your system from scratch (or find a good template 🙂 I have a few here).

✖ Offline Mode? Not Really. → If you lose internet, you lose access. Not ideal if you work on the go.

ClickUp

I gave ClickUp a real shot. I set up my workspace, added my projects, and tried to love it. But for me? It felt too much.

ClickUp is designed for teams, which means even as a solo freelancer, you get a million features thrown at you. That’s great if you need serious task automation, time tracking, and reporting, but personally, I felt like I was managing my ClickUp workspace more than I was working.

✅ Pros

✔ Task Management on Steroids → If you have lots of projects, deadlines, and moving parts, ClickUp’s system makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.

✔ Built-in Time Tracking → Notion requires third-party tools for this, but ClickUp tracks your hours automatically.

✔ Automations & Dependencies → If you like setting up “If this, then that” workflows (ex: “When this task is done, start the next one”), ClickUp has that built-in.

❌ Cons

✖ Overwhelming for Solo Freelancers → ClickUp feels like it was designed for agencies and big teams. If you’re just managing your own work, it can feel extra.

✖ Not as Flexible → Sure, you can customize things, but it doesn’t have Notion’s “build whatever you want” feel. It’s still structured around tasks and projects first.

✖ Less Visually Appealing → Listen, I know function > form, but ClickUp just doesn’t have the clean, minimal vibe that makes Notion so nice to work in.

Notion vs. ClickUp: Which One Should You Use?

It depends on what kind of freelancer you are.

Use Notion if:
✅ You want a flexible, all-in-one tool
✅ You like designing your own system
✅ You care about aesthetics & ease of use
✅ You’re a solo freelancer who doesn’t need heavy task management

Use ClickUp if:
✅ You have multiple clients, projects, and deadlines
✅ You love automations, time tracking, and data-heavy workflows
✅ You need team collaboration tools (or plan to scale your business)
✅ You want a structured task-first system

Why I Use Notion (And Don’t Plan to Switch Back)

For me, Notion just works. It’s clean, customizable, and doesn’t feel like I’m running a corporate project management system. I can brainstorm ideas, track client work, and manage my entire business in one place, without feeling overwhelmed.

That said, if you need serious project management, ClickUp might be better for you. It has features Notion just doesn’t, but for my freelance setup, less is more.

If you want to try Notion, here’s my affiliate link. I swear by it for keeping my freelance business organized. And if you’re still unsure? Test both. You’ll know which one feels right for you.