Quick Comparison
| Feature | Snowball | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Business card scanning | 2-second AI scan | Manual entry |
| Setup required | None—works immediately | Build your own system |
| Voice notes | ||
| Mobile capture | Native app | Slow mobile experience |
| Follow-up reminders | Built-in | Manual setup |
| Offline mode | Limited | |
| CRM integrations | 100+ native | Via APIs/Zapier |
| Flexibility | Contact-focused | Unlimited |
The Notion CRM Trap
Notion is incredibly flexible. You can build a personal CRM with databases, relations, and formulas. But should you? Building and maintaining a Notion CRM takes hours. And you still can't scan business cards.
- Hours spent building the "perfect" database structure
- No business card scanning—manual entry for everything
- Mobile app is slow for quick capture
- No voice notes for context
- Reminders require complex formula setup
- No direct CRM integrations
Key Differences
Zero Setup
Download Snowball, start scanning. No databases to design, no templates to configure. It just works.
Built-in Scanning
Point, tap, done. Notion has no business card scanning. Every contact is manual entry.
Voice Notes
Record context while the conversation is fresh. Notion has no voice note feature.
Fast Mobile Experience
Snowball is a native iOS app built for speed. Notion mobile is notoriously slow for quick capture.
When Notion Makes Sense
- You want your contacts in the same workspace as everything else
- You enjoy building and customizing systems
- You need highly custom fields and relations
- You primarily work from desktop, not mobile
When to Choose Snowball
- You want to start managing contacts today, not next week
- You attend events and need to capture cards fast
- You want voice notes for context
- You need a fast mobile experience
- You want CRM integrations without building them yourself
Export from Notion
Export your Notion contacts database as CSV
Download Snowball from the App Store
Import CSV in Settings > Import
Your contacts now have scanning, voice notes, and reminders
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Snowball sync with Notion?
Snowball can export to CSV for Notion import. For automated sync, use Zapier or Make to connect Snowball to your Notion database.
Is Notion more flexible?
Yes—Notion can be anything. But that flexibility means setup time. Snowball is purpose-built for contacts and works immediately.
Can I use both?
Many users capture with Snowball and sync to Notion for longer-term relationship management. They complement each other.
What about Notion AI?
Notion AI helps with writing and summaries. Snowball's AI does OCR and contact extraction—different use cases.