Brainstorming is an essential component of modern digital productivity, empowering individuals and teams to capture, structure, and refine ideas with flexibility and depth. As more knowledge workers integrate digital workspaces into their daily routines, the comparison between emergent and established brainstorming tools is more relevant than ever. Microsoft Loop, launched in 2023, is positioning itself as a collaborative canvas within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, while Notion, launched in 2016, boasts a robust feature set, vast community, and marketplace. The question is: can Loop genuinely replace Notion for serious brainstorming tasks, especially for users deeply invested in Microsoft's broader productivity infrastructure?
Hierarchical information organization is central to effective brainstorming, especially when untangling multi-layered or complex topics. Notion’s support for “nested pages”—pages within pages—allows ideas to be broken down recursively, enabling users to group related concepts, subtopics, tasks, and resources intuitively. This approach creates a living outline that is both navigable and conducive to creative, non-linear thinking.
In contrast, Microsoft Loop’s lack of native nested pages introduces notable constraints. While Loop emphasizes collaborative on-page components—tables, lists, task boards—these elements reside at the same organizational level. The absence of true hierarchical structure makes it challenging to represent ideas-within-ideas or to distill large, complex projects into manageable components. Relying on a flat structure may force users into workarounds or fragment their brainstorms across multiple Loop workspaces, reducing the sense of cohesion and damaging discoverability.
This limitation is not just a minor inconvenience. Hierarchical organization is supported by research into information management and creativity: users are measurably more effective at recursing through layers of complexity in digital tools that mirror cognitive structures. Until Microsoft introduces more advanced page nesting or interlinking, Loop will struggle to match Notion’s fluid approach for intricate brainstorming scenarios.
Microsoft Loop, by comparison, offers only a small curated set of templates. Unlike Notion, Loop has no template “marketplace” or public sharing ecosystem as of early 2024. Users searching for ready-made brainstorming canvases, mood boards, or structured idea journals will find options limited. Furthermore, this relative scarcity of templates means Loop users must often create their own frameworks from scratch or settle for generic outlines. This not only increases cognitive friction but may also discourage users new to the platform from going beyond the basics.
It is worth noting that Microsoft is reportedly investing in expanding community support, and documentation indicates that more templates will be gradually introduced. However, until Loop provides a comparable library or opens up user-driven marketplaces, Notion’s template selection remains a major competitive advantage.
Microsoft Loop is more limited. While users can insert links to external sites and rich previews of Office documents within the Microsoft ecosystem (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), many web embeds (such as X posts—formerly tweets—and Pinterest pins) revert to simple, non-interactive links. For visual thinkers or teams that brainstorm with multi-modal assets, this gap reduces Loop’s effectiveness as a creativity hub.
Microsoft has acknowledged the demand for richer embed support and is prioritizing integrations within its “in-house” ecosystem (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, OneNote). However, its closed approach means Loop users seeking cross-platform creativity—pulling in resources from design, inspiration, and social platforms—may find the experience lacking compared to Notion’s inclusive philosophy. In highly collaborative settings where visualization and external references are key, this could be a dealbreaker.
Notion’s automation engine, based on its database structures, gives users fine-grained control: actions can be triggered on condition, by timing, or by external webhook. Notion natively integrates with popular services such as Slack, Gmail, Outlook, and workflow tools like Zapier, enabling seamless notifications, cross-platform task management, and even content creation or editing via automated scripts. Users can nest multiple triggers and actions into a single automation rule, supporting rich, custom workflows for complex brainstorming processes.
Loop, by comparison, employs a more basic trigger-action automation system centered on tables. Triggers are conditional, but limited—one per rule—and available actions are mostly constrained to sending notifications via Teams or email. Sophisticated workflows, such as editing Loop content based on external triggers or integrating with third-party services, are only possible via Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow). While Power Automate is rich in capability, it requires separate onboarding, adding complexity and arguably favoring users already proficient with Microsoft’s broader enterprise tooling.
Importantly, Notion users can trigger webhooks directly within their workspace, enabling connection with hundreds of external tools in real time. For Loop users, this remains a multi-step process requiring manual integration setup—a hurdle for non-technical users and a friction point for those wanting straightforward, native automations. Until Loop matures its automation capabilities or opens direct access to webhooks, it’s difficult to recommend it as a substitute for Notion for workflow-heavy brainstorming teams.
Microsoft Loop relies on integration with Copilot, its AI assistant, which is only accessible through a Copilot Pro subscription at $20 per month (as of early 2024). This is in addition to any existing Microsoft 365 or Loop-related subscription, representing a significant monthly investment, especially for freelancers, small teams, or casual users.
Notion’s AI features, conversely, are available for $10/month when added to a Notion account. Some plans, especially the education-focused or team-tiered options, have further discounts. Both platforms require AI add-ons for advanced features—content summarization, idea generation, or “blank page” overcoming prompts—but Notion’s service is notably less expensive and thus more accessible.
This disparity can heavily factor into tool selection for budget-conscious users. While enterprise users with comprehensive Microsoft licensing might find Copilot’s broader integration points valuable, individual users may balk at Loop’s AI paywall—particularly as Notion’s AI proves highly capable at a lower marginal cost. It’s also noted by analysts across major technology outlets that Microsoft’s Copilot licensing structure is in flux, meaning potential changes are likely but not guaranteed in the near term.
Loop, in contrast, is still early in its lifecycle. With only a year of public availability and limited public documentation, user-driven resources are sparse. Most guidance comes directly from Microsoft’s official support channels or product documentation. The ecosystem for user-generated templates, plug-ins, and community forums devoted to Loop is, for now, minimal. This can slow onboarding and limit the sense of discovery and creativity for new users.
To Microsoft’s credit, documentation and in-app guides are clear and improving. Official community forums have opened (though participation remains small relative to those for Notion or even OneNote). Several IT professionals report a positive trajectory as Loop matures, but as with any platform, community support accumulates over time—and Notion’s seven-year head start is not likely to be erased in the near future.
However, for those needing deeply organized, hierarchical brainstorms or relying heavily on diverse templates, automations, and integrations, Notion remains the clear leader. The flexibility, price, and wealth of community resources make it difficult for Loop to compete on breadth and depth.
As with all productivity tools, the best solution is the one that meets your unique workflow needs, budget constraints, and preferred ecosystem. For now, though, seasoned brainstormers and creative teams will likely stick with Notion, but Loop is an option to watch—especially as Microsoft’s vast resources, and the needs of its millions of users, steer future development.
Source: MakeUseOf I Tested Microsoft Loop for Brainstorming and It Still Can’t Match Notion
Assessing the Hierarchical Organization: A Core Brainstorming Need
Hierarchical information organization is central to effective brainstorming, especially when untangling multi-layered or complex topics. Notion’s support for “nested pages”—pages within pages—allows ideas to be broken down recursively, enabling users to group related concepts, subtopics, tasks, and resources intuitively. This approach creates a living outline that is both navigable and conducive to creative, non-linear thinking.In contrast, Microsoft Loop’s lack of native nested pages introduces notable constraints. While Loop emphasizes collaborative on-page components—tables, lists, task boards—these elements reside at the same organizational level. The absence of true hierarchical structure makes it challenging to represent ideas-within-ideas or to distill large, complex projects into manageable components. Relying on a flat structure may force users into workarounds or fragment their brainstorms across multiple Loop workspaces, reducing the sense of cohesion and damaging discoverability.
This limitation is not just a minor inconvenience. Hierarchical organization is supported by research into information management and creativity: users are measurably more effective at recursing through layers of complexity in digital tools that mirror cognitive structures. Until Microsoft introduces more advanced page nesting or interlinking, Loop will struggle to match Notion’s fluid approach for intricate brainstorming scenarios.
Templates: The Foundations of Structured Creativity
Templates help users overcome the intimidating “blank page” problem and offer scaffolding for different creative and organizational workflows. Here, the gap between Loop and Notion is stark. Notion’s template marketplace, featuring over 30,000 templates contributed by both its developer team and its vast user base, provides a wealth of instant-start brainstorming formats—mind maps, kanban boards, idea trackers, character sheets for writers, and countless others. This abundance is both an accelerator and an inspiration, allowing users to find or adapt structures for virtually any brainstorming need.Microsoft Loop, by comparison, offers only a small curated set of templates. Unlike Notion, Loop has no template “marketplace” or public sharing ecosystem as of early 2024. Users searching for ready-made brainstorming canvases, mood boards, or structured idea journals will find options limited. Furthermore, this relative scarcity of templates means Loop users must often create their own frameworks from scratch or settle for generic outlines. This not only increases cognitive friction but may also discourage users new to the platform from going beyond the basics.
It is worth noting that Microsoft is reportedly investing in expanding community support, and documentation indicates that more templates will be gradually introduced. However, until Loop provides a comparable library or opens up user-driven marketplaces, Notion’s template selection remains a major competitive advantage.
Embeds and Integrations: Powering Visual and Media-Rich Brainstorms
Brainstorming increasingly encompasses more than just text. Embedded visual references, interactive charts, external documents, and collaborative assets all play a role in modern ideation sessions. Notion is exceptionally strong in this area, allowing users to embed a vast range of media and third-party content—from Figma designs and Google Drive files to Lucidcharts, YouTube videos, and Pinterest boards.Microsoft Loop is more limited. While users can insert links to external sites and rich previews of Office documents within the Microsoft ecosystem (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), many web embeds (such as X posts—formerly tweets—and Pinterest pins) revert to simple, non-interactive links. For visual thinkers or teams that brainstorm with multi-modal assets, this gap reduces Loop’s effectiveness as a creativity hub.
Microsoft has acknowledged the demand for richer embed support and is prioritizing integrations within its “in-house” ecosystem (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, OneNote). However, its closed approach means Loop users seeking cross-platform creativity—pulling in resources from design, inspiration, and social platforms—may find the experience lacking compared to Notion’s inclusive philosophy. In highly collaborative settings where visualization and external references are key, this could be a dealbreaker.
Automation and Workflow Efficiency: Streamlining the Creative Process
Automation is not merely a convenience but a productivity multiplier in brainstorming environments. Well-implemented automations can sort, notify, organize, and even trigger cross-app actions based on brainstorm progress or structured criteria.Notion’s automation engine, based on its database structures, gives users fine-grained control: actions can be triggered on condition, by timing, or by external webhook. Notion natively integrates with popular services such as Slack, Gmail, Outlook, and workflow tools like Zapier, enabling seamless notifications, cross-platform task management, and even content creation or editing via automated scripts. Users can nest multiple triggers and actions into a single automation rule, supporting rich, custom workflows for complex brainstorming processes.
Loop, by comparison, employs a more basic trigger-action automation system centered on tables. Triggers are conditional, but limited—one per rule—and available actions are mostly constrained to sending notifications via Teams or email. Sophisticated workflows, such as editing Loop content based on external triggers or integrating with third-party services, are only possible via Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow). While Power Automate is rich in capability, it requires separate onboarding, adding complexity and arguably favoring users already proficient with Microsoft’s broader enterprise tooling.
Importantly, Notion users can trigger webhooks directly within their workspace, enabling connection with hundreds of external tools in real time. For Loop users, this remains a multi-step process requiring manual integration setup—a hurdle for non-technical users and a friction point for those wanting straightforward, native automations. Until Loop matures its automation capabilities or opens direct access to webhooks, it’s difficult to recommend it as a substitute for Notion for workflow-heavy brainstorming teams.
The Cost of AI Brainstorming: Accessibility Versus Premium Features
AI-powered brainstorming has become increasingly important, particularly for overcoming creative blocks or rapidly expanding on ideas. Both Loop and Notion support AI assistance, but accessibility and pricing diverge sharply.Microsoft Loop relies on integration with Copilot, its AI assistant, which is only accessible through a Copilot Pro subscription at $20 per month (as of early 2024). This is in addition to any existing Microsoft 365 or Loop-related subscription, representing a significant monthly investment, especially for freelancers, small teams, or casual users.
Notion’s AI features, conversely, are available for $10/month when added to a Notion account. Some plans, especially the education-focused or team-tiered options, have further discounts. Both platforms require AI add-ons for advanced features—content summarization, idea generation, or “blank page” overcoming prompts—but Notion’s service is notably less expensive and thus more accessible.
This disparity can heavily factor into tool selection for budget-conscious users. While enterprise users with comprehensive Microsoft licensing might find Copilot’s broader integration points valuable, individual users may balk at Loop’s AI paywall—particularly as Notion’s AI proves highly capable at a lower marginal cost. It’s also noted by analysts across major technology outlets that Microsoft’s Copilot licensing structure is in flux, meaning potential changes are likely but not guaranteed in the near term.
Community, Support, and the Ecosystem: The Value of Longevity
A product’s community and knowledge base are invaluable for new and experienced users alike. Notion’s early launch in 2016 has given rise to an enormous and active user community, driving an explosion of self-generated templates, YouTube tutorials, troubleshooting wikis, and best-practice guides across every major social and productivity channel. Finding creative ways to brainstorm in Notion, or troubleshooting esoteric features, is usually as easy as a quick online search or browse through dedicated community forums and the template marketplace.Loop, in contrast, is still early in its lifecycle. With only a year of public availability and limited public documentation, user-driven resources are sparse. Most guidance comes directly from Microsoft’s official support channels or product documentation. The ecosystem for user-generated templates, plug-ins, and community forums devoted to Loop is, for now, minimal. This can slow onboarding and limit the sense of discovery and creativity for new users.
To Microsoft’s credit, documentation and in-app guides are clear and improving. Official community forums have opened (though participation remains small relative to those for Notion or even OneNote). Several IT professionals report a positive trajectory as Loop matures, but as with any platform, community support accumulates over time—and Notion’s seven-year head start is not likely to be erased in the near future.
Strengths and Risks: Detailed Analysis
Where Loop Excels
- Tight Microsoft 365 Integration: Loop feels natural for those already using Teams, OneNote, or SharePoint. Seamless sharing, document previews, and deep Outlook integration allow for smooth workplace collaboration without switching ecosystems.
- Real-time Multiuser Collaboration: Like Google Docs and Notion, Loop provides fluid real-time editing with visible cursors and instant sync, making it ideal for rapid-fire group brainstorming.
- Security and Compliance: Microsoft’s reputation for enterprise-grade security, compliance, and administration tools holds true for Loop, making it an easy fit for organizations with strict requirements.
- Consistent UI/UX Patterns: The interface is clean, minimal, and consistent with the broader Microsoft design language, easing adoption for those already familiar with the Office 365 suite.
Core Weaknesses and Risks
- Lack of Hierarchical Structure: The absence of nested pages or sophisticated “sub-page” linking is Loop’s most significant impediment for deep, multi-level brainstorming.
- Template Library Deficit: Heavily reliant on Microsoft’s own curation, Loop cannot yet provide the breadth or specificity of templates available in Notion.
- Limited Embeds and Integrations: While Loop works well within the Microsoft ecosystem, support for third-party embeds and integrations is limited compared to Notion’s vast array.
- Basic Natively-Available Automations: Loop’s workflow automations are rudimentary unless augmented by Power Automate, increasing complexity and dependence on external tooling.
- AI Features Gated by Price: Loop’s Copilot-based AI is twice as expensive as Notion AI, raising barriers for cost-sensitive users and smaller organizations.
- Nascent Community and Resources: Loop’s support ecosystem is small, reducing opportunities for shared learning, inspiration, and troubleshooting.
Reader-Focused Recommendations
For Microsoft Ecosystem Users
If your workflow is firmly rooted in Microsoft 365, Loop offers a compelling option for basic to moderately complex brainstorming, especially in team settings where real-time co-editing, Office integrations, and secure access are paramount. With regular updates, the platform is likely to grow in capability, particularly as feedback is incorporated and the internal template library expands.However, for those needing deeply organized, hierarchical brainstorms or relying heavily on diverse templates, automations, and integrations, Notion remains the clear leader. The flexibility, price, and wealth of community resources make it difficult for Loop to compete on breadth and depth.
For Intensive Brainstormers
Notion’s nested pages, diverse template marketplace, and extensive automation support make it the best-in-class choice for power users. Its lower-cost AI integration and expansive community space further solidify its utility for solo thinkers, teams, and creators alike.For Casual, Collaborative, Office-Focused Teams
Loop delivers a consistent, familiar collaborative environment and is suitable for teams that value seamless Microsoft 365 interoperability over advanced brainstorming features. As Loop matures, some current limitations may be addressed, but prospective users should be aware of the current trade-offs.The Bottom Line
It is not surprising, given Loop’s newness and evolving roadmap, that it currently falls short of rivaling Notion as a dedicated brainstorming platform. Notion’s head start in community engagement, template diversity, automations, and cross-platform integration is unlikely to be challenged immediately. Still, Loop’s presence in the Microsoft 365 suite and its steady improvements hint at a strong contender in the making—especially if nested structures, more templates, and open automation become priorities for future releases.As with all productivity tools, the best solution is the one that meets your unique workflow needs, budget constraints, and preferred ecosystem. For now, though, seasoned brainstormers and creative teams will likely stick with Notion, but Loop is an option to watch—especially as Microsoft’s vast resources, and the needs of its millions of users, steer future development.
Source: MakeUseOf I Tested Microsoft Loop for Brainstorming and It Still Can’t Match Notion
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