# The Notion alternative that stays a task list

If you want a task list that stays a task list, Done Bear is the Notion alternative to pick. It ships Inbox, Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday on the web, Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPhone, opens offline on iPhone and the web, and imports Notion database CSVs. Free up to 250 tasks. Stay on Notion if tasks belong beside your docs.

*Last updated: 2026-09-27*

## Done Bear vs Notion

| Category | Done Bear | Notion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Job | ✅ One job: a GTD task manager | ➖ Workspace: docs, wikis, databases |
| GTD views | ✅ Built-in 5-view GTD system | ➖ A database you design |
| Offline architecture | ✅ Local-first, instant loads | ➖ Offline for pages you download |
| Collaboration | ✅ Shared workspaces that stay a list | ✅ Docs and databases |
| CLI / API / MCP | ✅ CLI, GraphQL API, MCP server | ✅ Public API, hosted MCP server |
| Pricing | ✅ Free to start, from $7/mo billed yearly | ➖ Free plan, paid workspace tiers |

Last updated 27 September 2026.

## Why people switch from Notion

### A task list should not be a database

In Notion, a GTD setup is a database you design and keep tidy. Done Bear ships Inbox, Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday as the app.

### The whole list, offline

Done Bear keeps every task on your device, and on iPhone or in a browser it opens offline. Notion keeps only the pages you download for offline use.

### A shared workspace that stays a list

Done Bear has real-time shared workspaces that stay a task list: assign, triage, done. Notion collaboration is built for docs and databases.

## Who should stay on Notion

If your work lives in Notion docs and databases and you only need a light task list beside them, stay on Notion. Switching would split a system that already holds the writing.

## Moving from Notion

Export the Notion database as Markdown & CSV, unzip it, and upload the CSV from Settings, Import, Notion. Check the field mapping and the preview. Page bodies and wiki content stay in Notion.

See: [How importing into Done Bear works](/docs/help/importing)

## Explore Notion alternatives

- [How to keep your inbox at zero](/guides/how-to-keep-your-inbox-at-zero)
- [How to choose a task manager](/guides/how-to-choose-a-task-manager)

## FAQ

### What’s the main difference between Done Bear and Notion?

Notion is a workspace where tasks sit beside docs, wikis, and databases. Done Bear is a task manager: Inbox, Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday are its navigation, so there is no database to design first. If you want a wiki, stay on Notion. If you want a list that stays a list, pick Done Bear.

### Can I import my Notion tasks into Done Bear?

Yes. Export your Notion database as Markdown & CSV and unzip it. In Done Bear, open Settings, Import, Notion, upload the CSV, then check the field mapping and the preview before confirming. Notion databases have no fixed schema, so the mapping step matters. Page content below each database row does not come across.

### Does Done Bear work on the web, Windows, and iOS?

Yes, on all three, and on Mac and Linux too. Notion also runs on all of them, but offline it keeps only the pages you download in its desktop and mobile apps, and a database's first 50 rows. Done Bear keeps a copy of your tasks on each device, so Today opens straight away. On an iPhone, or in a browser tab where it has loaded before, it opens with no connection too. The Windows app needs a connection to start, then keeps working if it drops.

### How does Done Bear pricing compare to Notion?

Done Bear is free up to 250 tasks with unlimited workspace members, then $7 per member per month billed yearly, and that pays for a task manager only. Notion charges per member for a workspace that holds docs, wikis, and databases as well as tasks. Compare what each seat covers before you compare the two prices.

### Does Done Bear have an API and MCP server like Notion?

Yes. Done Bear's CLI, GraphQL API, and hosted MCP server address tasks directly, so an assistant like Claude can add to Today or clear your Inbox without learning your schema and property names first. Notion's public API and hosted MCP server address the whole workspace: pages and the databases you designed.

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Done Bear is free up to 250 tasks, with no trial and no credit card. [Start free](/sign-up) or see [pricing](/pricing).

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Every Done Bear page is listed at https://donebear.com/llms.txt. Any page has a markdown copy at its URL plus `.md`. Start from the map rather than guessing a path.