Software · head to head
Roam Research vs NVivo
NVivo
Software
Easy-to-use, collaborative qualitative analysis software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Roam Research cloud-dependent: no local-first option, all data stored on Roam servers; NVivo student licenses are restricted to 12 months of access for one named user
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Roam Research and NVivo actually diverge.
| Attribute | Roam Research | NVivo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15/month | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | quote |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, macOS, Windows | Web |
| Founded | 2017 | Unknown |
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 Roam Research
- Bi-directional linking
- Block references
- Daily notes
- Graph visualization
- Sidebar navigation
- Version history
- Markdown support
- TODO management
Only in NVivo
Nothing recorded that Roam Research does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Roam Research
- Research notesnot NVivo
- Writing projectsnot NVivo
- Personal knowledge managementnot NVivo
- Academic worknot NVivo
- Creative thinkingnot NVivo
NVivo
No use cases recorded yet. See the NVivo review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
NVivo
- Student licenses are restricted to 12 months of access for one named user
- Orders of ten or more licenses are not sold online and require contacting Lumivero for a quote
Pricing, plan by plan
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
NVivo
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the NVivo review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Roam Research if
- You need bi-directional linking.
- You work on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows.
- You also want block references.
Choose NVivo if
Nothing in the data separates NVivo from Roam Research on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Roam Research or NVivo better?
- Neither clearly leads. Roam Research starts at $15/month and NVivo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Roam Research or NVivo?
- Roam Research starts at $15/month and NVivo at On request.
- Does Roam Research or NVivo run on more platforms?
- Roam Research runs on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows. NVivo runs on Web.
- What is Roam Research best used for?
- Roam Research is most often used for research notes, writing projects, personal knowledge management, academic work. Of those, research notes and writing projects are not what NVivo is typically brought in for.
- What can Roam Research do that NVivo 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