Readwise vs KindleSync: Which Kindle-to-Notion Tool is Right for You?
If you’re a reader who uses Notion, you know the struggle. You want your Kindle highlights to automatically appear in your Notion workspace so you can actually do something with them.
For years, Readwise has been the undisputed king of this space. It’s a powerful, feature-rich platform that has helped thousands of people "save what they read." But recently, a new contender has emerged: KindleSync.
KindleSync isn't trying to be Readwise. It’s trying to be a leaner, more focused, and significantly more affordable alternative for a specific type of user.
In this post, we’re going to break down the differences between Readwise and KindleSync so you can decide which tool deserves a spot in your workflow in 2026.
The Honest Truth: Readwise is Excellent
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s give credit where it’s due. Readwise is a fantastic product. If you need to sync highlights from 10 different sources (Twitter, Instapaper, Medium, PDFs, physical books via OCR), and you want a daily email to quiz you on your highlights (Spaced Repetition), Readwise is worth every penny.
However, many users find themselves in a different boat:
- They only (or primarily) read on Kindle.
- They only want their highlights to go to Notion.
- They don't use the daily review feature.
- They are tired of "subscription fatigue."
For these users, Readwise can feel like buying a Swiss Army knife when you only need a screwdriver.
Pricing Comparison: The Elephant in the Room
The biggest differentiator between the two tools is the price. In an era where every app wants $10-20 per month, the costs add up quickly.
| Feature | Readwise (Full) | KindleSync |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | ~$8.99 - $15.99 | Free - $2.00 |
| Yearly Cost | ~$100 - $190 | $0 - $20 |
| Free Tier | Very limited trial | Generous Free Tier |
KindleSync’s "Pro" tier is intentionally priced at $2/month. Why? Because as a solo developer, my overhead is low, and I believe that basic data portability shouldn't cost as much as a Netflix subscription.
Feature Comparison Table
Let's look at what you actually get with each tool.
| Feature | Readwise | KindleSync |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Knowledge Retention | Data Portability |
| Kindle to Notion Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Other Sources | Twitter, Pocket, Instapaper, etc. | Kindle Only (focused) |
| Spaced Repetition | Yes (Daily Review) | No |
| Notion Formatting | Highly Customizable | Clean & Simple |
| Speed of Sync | High | High |
| Complexity | High | Low |
Who Should Use Readwise?
You should stick with (or switch to) Readwise if:
- You are a "Power Consumer": You highlights things across 5+ different platforms and need a single "inbox" for all of them.
- You Love the Daily Review: The Spaced Repetition feature is the core of your learning workflow.
- Budget is Not a Concern: You are happy to pay a premium for a highly polished, venture-backed product.
- You Use "Reader" by Readwise: Their integrated reading app is world-class.
Who Should Use KindleSync?
KindleSync is designed for you if:
- You Value Simplicity: You want a "set it and forget it" tool that does one thing: moves Kindle highlights to Notion.
- You are Budget-Conscious: You’d rather spend your money on more books than on the software that manages them.
- You Want to Support Indie Devs: You like knowing that your $2/month goes directly to a person, not a corporation.
- You Only Use Notion: You don't need your highlights synced to Obsidian, Logseq, or Evernote. You are all-in on Notion.
The "Focused Tool" Philosophy
KindleSync was born out of the "Small Software" movement. In the tech world, there’s often a drive to add more features, raise more money, and charge more.
KindleSync takes the opposite approach. By focusing exclusively on the Kindle-to-Notion pipeline, the tool remains fast, easy to maintain, and incredibly stable. We don't have to worry about broken Twitter APIs or complex OCR algorithms for physical books. We just make sure your Kindle highlights get where they need to go.
Solo-Dev Transparency: The Limitations
I want to be completely honest about what KindleSync isn't.
- It is not a Readwise clone. It will likely never have a daily review email or support 50 different sources.
- Support is me. When you email support, you're talking to the person who wrote the code. I try to be fast, but I'm not a 24/7 call center.
- Focused on Notion. While we might add other destinations in the future, Notion will always be our primary focus.
Conclusion: Making the Choice
The best tool is the one you actually use.
If you want the most powerful knowledge management system on the planet and the price isn't an issue, Readwise is the winner.
If you want a simple, reliable, and affordable way to get your Kindle highlights into Notion without the fluff, KindleSync is the tool for you.
Give KindleSync a try today. It takes less than 2 minutes to set up, and our free tier is a great way to see if it fits your workflow.