Why this comparison matters now

Heading into 2026, both tools have evolved. Confluence added Databases, Whiteboards, and Rovo (Atlassian Intelligence) across plans. Notion expanded beyond docs + databases into AI Agents, Enterprise Search, Meeting Notes, Sites, Forms, Calendar, and Mail—pulling more work into a single interface and reducing your tool stack.

Big picture: scope of the platform

• Notion is a full work OS: docs/wiki, databases, projects, AI, Sites, Forms, Calendar, and Mail, plus a growing integration catalogue—often replacing multiple point tools.

• Confluence is a strong wiki with Whiteboards, Databases, Automation, and deep Atlassian connectivity. It shines with Jira users, but typically needs separate tools for advanced project views, forms, websites, or email.

Bottom line: If you want fewer vendors and one interface for content + data + comms, Notion is the broader platform.

AI: assistants, search, and “do the work” capabilities

• Notion AI: Agent for multi-step tasks, Enterprise Search across connected apps, Research Mode, and Meeting Notes—executing work inside the same pages and databases. Enterprise supports zero-data-retention with LLM providers.

• Confluence AI (Rovo/Atlassian Intelligence): AI drafting, Rovo Search/Chat/Agents, with credits/feature availability varying by plan.

Advantage: Notion for breadth and workspace-native execution; Confluence is compelling for Atlassian-centric stacks.

Databases, projects, and views

• Notion databases: mature relational modelling (relations, rollups, formulas), multiple views (timeline/board/table/calendar/gallery), granular DB permissions (Business+), verified pages, automations, and Sites backed by live databases.

• Confluence Databases: good for structured lists and simple workflows and complemented by Whiteboards; modelling depth and reuse still trail Notion’s maturity.

Advantage: Notion for complex process modelling without leaving the doc.

Knowledge, publishing, and comms

• Notion unifies wiki + Sites + Forms + Calendar + Mail with custom domains and broad publishing—compressing the “knowledge → distribution” loop.

• Confluence supports public links and intranet patterns; full external site building isn’t a core proposition.

Advantage: Notion for external-facing knowledge and lightweight sites.

Security, governance, and residency

• Notion: SAML SSO (Business+), SCIM & advanced controls (Enterprise), EU data residency on request; Enterprise enforces zero data retention with LLM providers.

• Confluence (Atlassian Cloud): Mature enterprise posture and data residency options including UK, advanced admin, and Atlassian Guard on Enterprise.

Verdict: Both satisfy enterprise needs. If you require UK residency out-of-the-box, Confluence has an edge; Notion’s EU option is increasingly attractive.

Pricing & value (illustrative for 2026 planning)

• Notion (site-listed EU pricing at Dec 2025): Plus €9.50, Business €19.50 /member/month; Enterprise custom. Guests free; Sites, Forms, databases included; AI features in active rollout.

• Confluence (site-listed USD at Dec 2025): Standard $5.42, Premium $10.44 /user/month (annual; varies by seat band); features scale for whiteboards, automation, and Rovo credits.

Total cost of ownership: Notion frequently replaces multiple tools (wiki, project views, forms, simple websites, some email/calendar flows), reducing vendor count and context switching.

Migration: how we move you from Confluence to Notion

1. Audit & mapping – Inventory spaces/pages/permissions; map to Notion information architecture (databases, templates, teamspaces).

2. Export & import – Export Confluence spaces (HTML) → import via Notion’s Confluence importer; validate formatting and redirects.

3. Refactor to databases – Convert static pages into structured databases (projects, SOPs, knowledge), add properties/views/permissions; set up automations.

4. Governance & AI enablement – SSO/SCIM, verify authoritative pages, connect integrations, train teams on Notion AI (meeting notes + research mode).

Pilot with a high-change team (engineering or CS) before full rollout for fast wins.

Comparison table (2026)

Recommendation

If you want one platform to write, publish, structure data, run projects, automate, and apply AI in context—with fewer vendors—choose Notion. If you’re heavily standardised on Atlassian and need UK data residency out of the box, Confluence remains strong—but Notion’s EU residency option and broader surface area often deliver better ROI.

Next step: Book a 30-minute migration scoping call with Generation Digital. We’ll audit your Confluence, map a like-for-like Notion structure, and deliver a fixed migration plan—content, permissions, and training included.

FAQ

Is Notion really “more than a wiki”?
Yes. By 2026 Notion covers docs, databases, Sites, Forms, Calendar, Mail, and workspace-native AI—replacing multiple point tools.

Does Confluence have AI now?
Yes—Rovo/Atlassian Intelligence adds search, chat, agents, and drafting, with credits and features varying by plan.

Can we keep our Confluence structure?
We export Spaces and import them into Notion, then refactor into databases/templates so teams gain structure without losing history.

What about data residency?
Confluence supports multiple regions (including UK). Notion offers EU data residency on request for eligible workspaces.