Software · head to head
Paperpile vs Roam Research
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Paperpile sign-up is Chrome-only: the pricing page states you can only sign up for Paperpile on Chrome; Roam Research cloud-dependent: no local-first option, all data stored on Roam servers
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Paperpile and Roam Research actually diverge.
| Attribute | Paperpile | Roam Research |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $15/month |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, macOS, Windows |
| Founded | Unknown | 2017 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Paperpile
Nothing recorded that Roam Research does not also cover.
Only in Roam Research
- Bi-directional linking
- Block references
- Daily notes
- Graph visualization
- Sidebar navigation
- Version history
- Markdown support
- TODO management
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Paperpile
No use cases recorded yet. See the Paperpile review.
Roam Research
- Research notesnot Paperpile
- Writing projectsnot Paperpile
- Personal knowledge managementnot Paperpile
- Academic worknot Paperpile
- Creative thinkingnot Paperpile
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Paperpile
- Sign-up is Chrome-only: the pricing page states you can only sign up for Paperpile on Chrome
- All plans are billed annually with no monthly option, and multi-user licenses cannot mix Regular and Expert tiers
Roam Research
- Cloud-dependent: no local-first option, all data stored on Roam servers
- Offline sync issues: offline databases experience slow startup and synchronization problems
- No native Android app
- Requires internet connection for most functionality
Pricing, plan by plan
Paperpile
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Paperpile review.
Roam Research
$15/month- Pro$15/month
- Unlimited graphs
- Unlimited blocks
- Daily notes
- Believer$500/5 years
- All Pro features
- Cost effective long-term subscription
Which should you pick?
Choose Paperpile if
Nothing in the data separates Paperpile from Roam Research on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Roam Research if
- You need bi-directional linking.
- You work on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows.
- You also want block references.
Questions people ask
- Is Paperpile or Roam Research better?
- Neither clearly leads. Paperpile starts at On request and Roam Research at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Paperpile or Roam Research?
- Paperpile starts at On request and Roam Research at $15/month.
- Does Paperpile or Roam Research run on more platforms?
- Paperpile runs on Web. Roam Research runs on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows.
- What can Paperpile do that Roam Research cannot?
- Roam Research covers Bi-directional linking, Block references, Daily notes, Graph visualization.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Roam Research: Does Roam Research have a free plan?
No, Roam Research does not offer a free plan. However, it includes a 31-day free trial before requiring a subscription to either the Pro plan ($15/month) or Believer plan ($500 for five years).
SourceRoam Research: Can I use Roam Research offline?
Roam Research has limited offline support. Offline databases have significant performance issues, including slow startup times and sync problems. The platform is cloud-dependent and requires internet connectivity for most functionality.
SourceRoam Research: What platforms does Roam Research support?
Roam Research is available as a web app and native mobile apps for iOS and macOS. Windows users access it through the web app or Electron desktop wrapper. Android support is limited.
SourceRoam Research: Can I export my data from Roam Research?
Yes, you can export your entire database or individual pages as JSON or Markdown format by clicking the three-dot menu. However, block references do not translate perfectly, and migration to other tools may require manual cleanup.
SourceRoam Research: Does Roam Research integrate with Slack?
Roam Research integrates with Slack through Zapier, allowing you to send Slack messages to Roam or add Slack messages to your Roam daily notes. No native Slack integration is available.
Source