Note-taking apps are all the rage these days.
This did not get unnoticed at the Microsoft HQ.
As a result, on May 23, 2023, they announced a collaborative app called Loop.
So, how does it hold up to Notion when it comes to the things you could do?
Read on to find that in this article.
What is Microsoft Loop?
Microsoft Loop is an app designed to make collaborating with your co-workers easier.
Well, Teams do serve the same purpose, right?
Actually, Teams is more focused on the communication between your colleagues.
Think of a single app that can handle all your management work in your organization.
Thats what it is for.
Microsoft Loop was in private beta for a year before releasing to public beta.
That means many features will be added as the developers test out the software even more.
Is Microsoft Loop Similar to Note-Taking Apps?
In some ways, yes.
Lets shed some light on that first.
Evernote or Google Keep focuses primarily on how you take notes.
These are super useful when in a meeting or during a product launch.
you could write quick notes using your keyboard or touchscreen.
Jotting down your thoughts is what these apps excel at.
On the other hand, Notion takes these a step further.
Loop follows the same step as Notion.
And its UI, too, looks very similar.
I think the fonts are very close to what Notion uses.
If you have used that before, you will feel right at home.
Features of Microsoft Loop
it’s possible for you to create and edit documents on Microsoft Loop.
And you’ve got the option to see the action live from your loop homepage.
Microsoft calls itComponents, and it is super useful.
And its contents will change as you add new items to it.
Lets say you made a list of movies to watch.
There is also the option of creating tasks and to-do lists similar toTask and Planneron Microsft Teams.
Once assigned to your group members, you could track the progress from Loop.
You also get separate workspaces to group your documents and tasks.
This makes them easier to find and removes clutter when you work with a lot of pages.
Then you also have Copilot built in.
That means you get the A.I benefit that Microsoft provides with its suite of Office 365 apps.
It can be useful when looking for ideas or quickly generating some text.
How Does Microsoft Loop Compare to Notion?
When it comes to differences, one of the many advantages of Notion is integration with other applications.
you could embed sections of these apps within your pages in notion by using third-party extensions.
Since Notion has been around for a while, it can connect effortlessly with most apps.
Currently, Loop can only integrate withOffice 365apps.
To test this, I sent a loop component to a Teams chat.
And it works flawlessly.
Kudos to Microsoft for that.
Notion has a cool way to add components using the / command key.
Loop approaches this similarly.
But the options to add different types of items are not as comprehensive as Notion.
I have used this, and this is how both applications look like.
If you click it, it opens up on another tab on your web app.
I dont know if that is a feature or a bug right now.
Also, there are no dedicated items similar to databases in Loop.
But it is saved as a page that can be added as a loop component within a page.
Notions databases, with its advanced calculation tools, are simply way ahead as of now.
Loop does not have a trash can where you’re free to send discarded items.
Instead, all deleted files are removed permanently.
Once you delete something mistakenly, you cannot get it back easily.
As for security, MS Loop users are managed by an Office 365 Admin account.
That means authentication is pretty secure, as you need the authenticator app to sign in.
If we take a look at pricing, Loop is bundled with an Office 365 account.
That means you do not need to pay any extra till now.
you could also access it using a free Microsoft account.
Notion is free for personal use, which is great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Loop similar to Notion?
It contains all the apps you should probably share and work on documents together.
It even has an UI, that resembles Notion.
How much will Microsft Loop cost?
As of April 2023, Microsft Loop is in public beta phase.
So, it is free to use right now with a Microsoft account or Office 365 subscription.
Conclusion
Long-time users of Notion may not be impressed with what Microsoft Loop has to offer.
It has many features missing.
Though, its biggest strength seems to be integration with Office 365.
So, would you give Loop a try?
Do let us know what features you missed the most.
Until then, it is time to say goodbye.
