Microsoft first revealed Microsoft Loop, its Notion alternative (comparison)Â back in 2021. Last year, Microsoft announced that Loop has reached the private preview phase. Today, Microsoft announced the public preview of Loop app featuring workspaces, pages, and components that sync across Microsoft 365.
Microsoft Loop is a new app that combines a powerful and flexible canvas with portable components that stay in sync and move freely across Microsoft 365 apps.
Loop components are already supported across Microsoft 365 apps including Teams, Outlook and more. Loop component types include task list, bulleted list, checklist, numbered list, paragraph list, and table. They are live and can be copied and pasted across Microsoft 365— staying in sync in all the places they exist.
- Type / to explore content types you can insert.
- Type @ to mention people or link a file.
- Type : to open the emoji picker.
- Select any text & right-click to format it.
- Hold the ⋮⋮ icon to the left of text to drag and drop content.
- Use the chat bubble icon to the left of text to add a comment or reaction.
- You can use the sidebar to navigate between Workspaces
- Click the Loop logo to see all your workspaces.
- Create a workspace for each of your projects.
- Click the round, purple + button in the sidebar to add a page or link.
Microsoft Loop is the next-generation co-creation app that connects teams and tasks across your tools and devices. It’s a new way of working — so you and your team can think, plan, and create together from anywhere!
You can access Microsoft Loop on preview on the web here. To download the mobile app, visit the Loop mobile app for Android and Loop iOS app. For now, the mobile app is available for work accounts alone.
Microsoft Loop vs Notion: Feature Comparison
| Feature/Aspect | Microsoft Loop | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (preview) | Free, advanced features starting from $8/user/month |
| Rating on Capterra | No reviews yet | 4.7/5 |
| User Base | New, poised to become a formidable Notion competitor | Over 20 million users, set a new standard for productivity software |
| Workspace Concept | Unified, flexible workspace for team knowledge, document collaboration, etc. | Unified, flexible workspace for team knowledge, document collaboration, etc. |
| Interface | Similar to Notion, with a familiar sidebar and content components | Original, with a sidebar for toggling between nested pages |
| Software Integration | Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Outlook, and OneNote | Limited integration compared to Loop |
| Document Handling | Integrates traditional Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents | Aims to eliminate standalone docs and spreadsheets |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Strong focus, with presence indicators and text carets | Not as powerful as Loop in real-time collaboration |
| Content Components | Advanced and interactive “components” | Live embeds, less interactive than Loop’s components |
| Customizability | Less flexible and customizable | More freedom and flexibility |
| Embedding Limitations |
| No such limitations |
| Built-in Features | No built-in Kanban boards or databases, relies on embedding from other products | Offers built-in Kanban boards and databases |
| AI-Powered Tools | Microsoft Loop uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT models to power its Copilot feature. Copilot is an AI assistant that helps users with various tasks, such as writing, coding, searching, or creating content. Copilot can generate content based on user inputs and existing data, and provide contextual suggestions to inspire users and enhance their creativity | More advanced |
| Best Suited For | Professional, collaborative use in large companies already using Microsoft | Personal productivity and smaller teams requiring more customization |
The choice between Microsoft Loop and Notion will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and existing software ecosystem. Microsoft Loop is a strong contender for those already invested in Microsoft’s suite of products, while currently Notion offers more flexibility and is better suited for personal productivity.
