Confluence suits teams that want a structured company wiki, especially if they already use Jira, and its free plan covers up to 10 users. Notion suits teams that want docs, databases and simple websites in one flexible workspace, but its free plan is for individuals. The deciding detail for many small teams is permissions: Confluence's free plan doesn't allow page or space permissions.
Every business reaches the point where the same question gets asked three times a week and someone says we should write this down. Notion and Confluence are the two names that come up most. I read Notion's plans page and Atlassian's Confluence plans page, and here's how they compare in their own words.
The plans laid side by side
| Notion | Confluence | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, Free | Yes, Free |
| People on free | Blocks limited once 2 or more members join | Up to 10 users |
| Pages | Unlimited for one person | Unlimited spaces and pages |
| Storage or uploads on free | 5 MB per file | 2 GB of file storage |
| Page history on free | 7 days | Page versioning included |
| Permissions on free | Granular database permissions on Business | No space or page permissions on Free |
| Whiteboards | Not covered on the plans page | 3 active whiteboards per user on free |
| Automation on free | Basic buttons; custom automations on Plus | 50 automation steps a month |
| Links to Jira | Premium connections on Business | Jira Issues macro on every plan |
| AI | Trial of Notion AI | Rovo credits from Standard |
Notion as a wiki
Notion treats a wiki as just another set of pages, which is both its strength and its risk. You can mix SOPs, databases, a content calendar and a public help page in one place. The free plan includes databases, basic forms, basic sites and 7 days of page history. Plus suits small teams, with unlimited blocks and uploads. Business adds Notion Agent, AI Meeting Notes, SAML single sign-on, private teamspaces and the option to verify pages so people know they're up to date.
Confluence as a wiki
Confluence was built for team knowledge from the start. Its free plan covers up to 10 users on one site, with unlimited spaces and pages, databases, page versioning, a template library, macros and a structured page tree. It also includes 2 GB of file storage, 3 active whiteboards per user and 50 automation steps a month.
That page tree matters more than it sounds. When a wiki grows past a few dozen pages, people stop browsing and start searching, and a clear hierarchy is what keeps them finding the right version instead of an old copy someone forgot to delete.
Standard lifts storage to 250 GB, adds more whiteboards and brings in Atlassian's Rovo AI credits. Premium adds unlimited storage and 24/7 support.
The permissions line in Confluence's small print
Atlassian's own plans page says the Free plan doesn't allow permission settings for spaces or pages. For a small team that shares everything, that's fine. But if your wiki will hold anything you don't want every user to see, such as HR notes, client contracts or salary records, you'll need Standard from day one. It's a small line in a long table, and it changes which plan you should compare.
Which team each one suits
Confluence suits teams that want a tidy, structured wiki with spaces per team and a page tree, and it's the natural choice if your developers already live in Jira. Notion suits small businesses that want their wiki, projects and simple web pages in one flexible place. My guide to knowledge base software covers more options, and if you go with Notion, making columns in Notion helps pages stay readable.
My advice on choosing a home for your know-how
Decide who will maintain it. If one person will own the wiki and keep it tidy, Confluence's structure will help them. If everyone will add to it in their own way, Notion's flexibility will feel natural. Then check the plan your team will really need, because both free plans have a limit that a growing team hits fast.
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Do you make wiki or knowledge base software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Confluence free?
Yes. Confluence's Free plan covers up to 10 users with unlimited spaces and pages and 2 GB of file storage.
Does Confluence's free plan have permissions?
No. Atlassian's plans page says the Free plan doesn't allow permission settings for spaces or pages.
Is Notion good as a company wiki?
Yes. Notion handles wiki pages, databases and simple sites in one workspace, and its Business plan adds page verification and private teamspaces.
Does Confluence work with Jira?
Yes. Confluence includes the Jira Issues macro, which shows live Jira updates on a page.
How much storage does Confluence Free include?
Confluence's Free plan includes 2 GB of file storage. Standard raises that to 250 GB, and Premium and Enterprise list unlimited storage.
