How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- AppFlowy is the closest open source Notion replacement, with a familiar interface, local first storage, and self hosting.
- AFFiNE is the best open source choice for visual and creative work, combining docs, whiteboards, and databases in one workspace.
- Logseq is the best open source choice for researchers and outliners, with local Markdown files and a linked knowledge graph.
- Joplin is the best open source choice for traditional notes, with sync across devices and a simple, reliable editor.
- Outline is the best open source choice for team wikis, with a clean editor and permission controls that suit internal knowledge bases.
Quick comparison
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The best open source alternatives to Notion
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
AppFlowy is the closest open source Notion replacement, with a familiar interface for Notion users, local first storage that works offline by default, and complete control through self hosting. It is fully open source, so teams can fork, modify, and host it on their own infrastructure with no subscription. The free tier covers self hosted use, while hosted Pro plans start near $10 per user per month billed yearly.
The trade off is maturity: AppFlowy is younger than Notion, with good but not excellent polish and a smaller plugin ecosystem. For open source advocates and self hosters who want Notion features without a subscription, AppFlowy is the top pick.
What we like- Fully open source and self hostable
- Familiar Notion-like interface
- Local first storage works offline
Watch out for- Less mature and less polished than Notion
- Hosted Pro from about $10 per user per month
- Plugin ecosystem still growing
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
AFFiNE is the best open source choice for visual and creative work, combining documents, whiteboards, and databases in one workspace that suits designers, planners, and brainstormers. It is fully open source and offline first, with local storage on your device and sync options for teams. The free tier covers personal use, while team plans add hosted collaboration.
Database features are less deep than Notion's, and integrations are fewer. For visual thinkers who want an open source workspace that blends docs and whiteboards, AFFiNE is the strongest option.
What we like- Fully open source
- Docs, whiteboards, and databases in one workspace
- Offline first with local storage
Watch out for- Team plans are paid
- Younger product with fewer integrations
- Database features less deep than Notion
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Logseq is the best open source choice for researchers and outliners, with daily notes, outline based writing, and a linked knowledge graph built from local Markdown files. It is completely free and open source, works offline, and stores notes as plain files you can open in any editor, which guarantees long term access. That local file design is the main reason researchers trust it.
The outline first design does not suit everyone, and there is no built in hosted collaboration, so teams share files through Git or sync tools instead. For researchers, students, and writers who think in outlines and links, Logseq is the best open source knowledge tool here.
What we like- Completely free and open source
- Local Markdown files you own
- Outline based notes with linked references
Watch out for- Outline first design is not for everyone
- No built in hosted collaboration
- Learning curve for new users
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Joplin is the best open source choice for traditional notes, with a simple, reliable editor, Markdown support, and sync across devices through providers including Nextcloud, Dropbox, and Joplin Cloud. It is completely free and open source, with no lock in: notes export as Markdown, HTML, or PDF at any time. Joplin Cloud plans start near 2.40 euros per month for hosted sync with sharing.
Joplin has no databases or team wikis, and its interface is functional rather than beautiful. For individuals who want dependable, private notes that sync everywhere without a subscription, Joplin is the safest open source pick.
What we like- Completely free and open source
- Sync across devices through many providers
- Simple, reliable editor with Markdown
Watch out for- Interface is functional rather than beautiful
- No databases or wikis
- Cloud sync plans start near 2.40 euros per month
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Trilium Notes is the best open source choice for personal knowledge trees, organizing notes in a hierarchy where one note can appear in several places through cloning, with links, attributes, and scripts for power users. It is completely free and open source, with a self hosted server that gives web access to your notes from any device. Data stays in your own database, which you can back up and move freely.
The interface is utilitarian, setup needs some technical comfort, and the mobile experience is thinner than desktop. For technical users building a large personal knowledge base with deep structure, Trilium is the most flexible open source tool here.
What we like- Completely free and open source
- Hierarchical note trees with cloning and linking
- Self hosted server with web access
Watch out for- Interface is utilitarian
- Setup needs some technical comfort
- Mobile experience is thinner than desktop
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Outline is the best open source choice for team wikis, with a clean editor, real time collaboration, and permission controls that suit internal knowledge bases, handbooks, and documentation. It is fully open source and self hostable, so a team can run its own wiki with no vendor lock in, and hosted cloud plans are available for teams that prefer not to self host.
Outline is wiki focused rather than a full Notion replacement, with fewer database and task features. For a team that needs a maintained knowledge base with clear permissions, Outline is the best open source wiki here.
What we like- Fully open source and self hostable
- Clean editor with real time collaboration
- Permission controls for team wikis
Watch out for- Hosted cloud plans are paid
- Wiki focused, not a full Notion replacement
- Fewer database features
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Focalboard is the best open source choice for kanban boards and projects, offering board, table, calendar, and gallery views for tasks and projects in a self hosted package. It comes from the Mattermost team, integrates with Mattermost chat, and suits teams that want Trello style boards they control themselves.
It is board focused, not a docs or wiki tool, so it covers only one part of Notion's job. For a team that mainly needs open source project boards with self hosting, Focalboard is the cleanest option.
What we like- Fully open source and self hostable
- Kanban, table, calendar, and gallery views
- From the Mattermost team
Watch out for- Board focused, not a docs or wiki tool
- Smaller community than larger tools
- Hosted plans are paid
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Standard Notes is the best open source choice for maximum privacy notes, with end to end encryption, open source clients, and a free tier with sync across devices. Paid plans start near $2.50 per month and add advanced editors, themes, and more storage. For users whose priority is private notes that no server can read, Standard Notes offers the strongest encryption here.
The stack is only partially open source, with some server components under different terms, and the tool is simpler than a full workspace, with no databases or wikis. For private personal notes, it is the most privacy focused option on this list.
What we like- End to end encrypted notes
- Open source clients
- Free tier with sync
- Paid plans from about $2.50 per month
Watch out for- Only partially open source across the whole stack
- Simpler than a full workspace
- Advanced editors need a paid plan
How we chose
We compared open source Notion alternatives using license openness, self hosting options, offline access, data formats, and feature coverage for docs, databases, wikis, and tasks, drawing on vendor pages and independent comparisons from 2026. Each tool had to offer open source code for its core, not only a free tier, and had to store data in a form the user can export or host. We weighted openness, maturity, and ease of use, and we left out proprietary tools with free tiers, including Obsidian, which is a proprietary app despite its local Markdown files. Prices change, so confirm the current rate before signing.
Buying guide: how to pick an open source Notion alternative
Start with the job you need most. A Notion replacement for docs and databases points to AppFlowy or AFFiNE. A personal knowledge base points to Logseq or Trilium Notes. Traditional notes point to Joplin or Standard Notes. A team wiki points to Outline. Project boards point to Focalboard. No single open source tool matches Notion feature for feature, so pick the tool that covers your main job well rather than one that covers everything thinly.
Next, decide how you will host and sync. Self hosting gives full control but needs a server, updates, and backups. Hosted plans from AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Outline, and Joplin Cloud remove that work for a monthly fee. For personal notes, local files plus a sync provider you already use, such as Nextcloud or Dropbox, often beats a new subscription.
Finally, test migration before committing. Import a real workspace, not a toy example, and check that databases, links, images, and attachments survive. AppFlowy imports from a Notion zip, and most tools accept Markdown and CSV. If your workspace is large, migration is where the work lives, so budget time for cleanup after import.
Frequently asked questions
Are these tools really open source?
AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Logseq, Joplin, Trilium Notes, Outline, and Focalboard are open source for their core code, and Standard Notes offers open source clients with some server components under different terms. Obsidian is often listed here but is a proprietary app, so it is not included in this guide despite its local Markdown files.
Can I self host these tools?
Yes, for AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Trilium Notes, Outline, and Focalboard, which are designed for self hosting. Logseq and Joplin store local files and sync through providers you choose, while Standard Notes offers hosted sync with encryption. Self hosting needs a server, updates, and backups.
Will my notes survive if the project stops?
Better than with a closed tool. Local Markdown files from Logseq and Joplin open in any editor, and open source code can be forked and kept running. Export regularly in Markdown or HTML regardless of tool, so your notes never depend on one vendor.
Are open source alternatives as polished as Notion?
Not yet. AppFlowy and AFFiNE are the closest, but both are younger with smaller ecosystems and fewer integrations. The trade off is control: you own your data, you can self host, and no vendor can change your pricing or lock your workspace.
Which tool is best for teams?
Outline for team wikis, AppFlowy for a general workspace with self hosting, and Focalboard for project boards. Teams that need databases plus automation may find open source tools thinner than Notion, so test a real workflow before migrating a whole team.
How do I migrate from Notion?
Export your workspace from Notion as Markdown and CSV, then import into your chosen tool. AppFlowy imports from a Notion zip directly, while other tools accept Markdown and CSV. Expect cleanup after import, especially for complex databases, and test with a small workspace first.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
AppFlowy
AFFiNE
Logseq
Joplin
Trilium Notes
Outline
Focalboard
Standard Notes