Notion has become a popular tool for many teams due to its versatility and flexibility. I’ve been doubling down on my Notion usage since my last layoff. At first, one of the things that confused me was wikis versus teamspaces. While both wikis and teamspaces serve similar purposes, they offer unique functionalities that make them suitable for different use cases.

Here’s what I learned so I can tell them apart:

Wikis

Wikis are a popular way of organizing information in Notion. They offer a centralized location for teams to store and access information on various topics. Wikis are designed to be collaborative and allow multiple team members to contribute to the same page. Additionally, wikis in Notion enable users to link to other wiki pages or external resources easily. I find this feature especially helpful for some ongoing personal projects.

Wikis are highly customizable and allow users to create pages in different formats, such as tables, lists, and calendars. They also allow users to add various types of content, such as text, images, videos, and more. Wikis in Notion offer several templates, such as a project wiki, a customer support wiki, and a team wiki. Even as a solo writer, I use templates whenever possible. I’m working on my personal wiki template based on some lessons from creating my first Notion wiki.

Another advantage of wikis in Notion is the ability to search for information quickly. Users can search for keywords within the wiki and get instant results. It’s a feature you expect to find, but one I use more and more as my information in Notion grows.

Teamspaces

Teamspaces are another feature in Notion that allows teams to collaborate on projects and tasks. Unlike wikis, teamspace pages are more action-oriented by design. They provide a space to manage tasks, projects, and workflows. Teams can create databases, boards, and calendars to track progress and deadlines. Teamspace pages are also highly customizable, allowing users to add different types of content, such as text, images, videos, and more.

Notion Teamspaces offer several templates, including the following:

• Product roadmap
• Project tracker
• Team dashboard

These templates make it easy for teams to start creating their teamspace pages without starting from scratch.

Another advantage of Notion teamspace pages is the ability to collaborate in real time. Teams can add comments, assign tasks, and communicate on the same page.

Differences between wikis and teamspaces

The main difference between wikis and teamspace in Notion is their purpose. Wikis are for teams to store and access information, while the teamspace allows teams to collaborate on projects and tasks. Wikis are useful for creating a centralized knowledge base that everyone can access and update, while a teamspace is useful for tracking progress and managing workflows. Additionally, teamspace pages offer more customization options and are more content creation friendly.

Another difference between wikis and teamspace pages is the level of interactivity. While wikis are more static, teamspace pages are for collaboration and real time updates. Teamspace pages are more suitable for projects that require frequent updates and communication between team members.

Final thoughts

Wikis and teamspace in Notion offer unique functionalities suitable for different use cases. Wikis are ideal for creating a centralized knowledge base, while teamspace is ideal for tracking progress and managing workflows. Both wikis and teamspace are highly customizable and offer a variety of features that make them powerful tools for teams. By understanding the differences between these two features, teams can choose the one that best suits their needs and improve their productivity.

Overall, Notion offers a wide range of features for teams. Whether it’s creating wikis, teamspace pages, or databases, it’s not to say a freelancer like myself can put the same tools to work. I’m doing it right now, including creating a teamspace as I experiment with and learn some of Notion’s higher-end features.