Notion raised its prices again. The free plan now caps blocks at 1,000 per workspace member, the Plus plan costs $10/month per person, and your entire knowledge base sits on Notion's servers. If your team of 10 is paying $100/month for what amounts to a wiki with a database — you're not alone in wondering if there's a better way.
The good news: open source Notion alternatives have matured fast. Several now match Notion's core features — docs, databases, kanban boards, and AI — while giving you something Notion never will: full ownership of your data. You can self-host them on your own infrastructure, fork the code to build custom features, and never worry about another pricing change.
I researched and compared 7 open source tools that can replace Notion. Each one takes a different approach — some focus on privacy, others on collaboration, and a few try to out-feature Notion entirely. Here's what I found.
Key Takeaways:
- Best overall Notion replacement: AppFlowy — closest feature parity with Notion's docs, databases, and AI, plus full self-hosting support
- Best for creative teams: AFFiNE — unique combo of docs, whiteboards, and databases in one local-first workspace
- Best for privacy: Notesnook — end-to-end encryption on every note, no server-side access to your content
- Best for power users: SiYuan — block-level referencing, bidirectional links, and spaced repetition built in
- Best for team wikis: Outline — polished, real-time collaborative wiki with Slack integration
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Self-Hosted | License | AI Features | Offline Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppFlowy | Notion replacement | Yes | AGPL-3.0 | Built-in AI | Yes |
| AFFiNE | Docs + whiteboards | Yes | MIT | AI writing/drawing | Yes (local-first) |
| Notesnook | Encrypted notes | Yes | GPL-3.0 | No | Yes |
| SiYuan | Personal knowledge management | Yes | AGPL-3.0 | OpenAI integration | Yes |
| Joplin | Markdown note-taking | Yes | AGPL-3.0 | No (plugins) | Yes |
| Outline | Team wiki | Yes | BSL 1.1 | AI search | Limited |
| Docmost | Simple team docs | Yes | AGPL-3.0 | No | Limited |
1. AppFlowy — The Closest Open Source Notion Clone
Best for teams that want Notion's experience without Notion's lock-in.
AppFlowy is the most direct Notion replacement on this list. The interface is deliberately familiar — you get pages, nested sub-pages, databases with multiple views, and a block-based editor that works like Notion's. If you're migrating a team from Notion, AppFlowy has the flattest learning curve.
Key Features
- Notion-style editor with rich content blocks, database views, and drag-and-drop organization
- Built-in AI for question answering, writing assistance, and table automation — runs on-device for privacy
- Multiple views — grid, board, calendar, and list views for databases
- Customizable themes — adjust fonts, colors, and page styling
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android with cross-device sync
- Self-hosting via Docker or the AppFlowy Cloud option
Pros
- Closest UI/UX match to Notion — minimal retraining for teams switching over
- On-device AI processing keeps your data private
- Active community with regular releases and plugin ecosystem
- Works offline with full sync when reconnected
Cons
- Fewer integrations than Notion (no native Slack, Figma, or Loom embeds yet)
- Self-hosting requires some DevOps knowledge
- Database features are still catching up to Notion's formula and rollup capabilities
License and Hosting
- License: AGPL-3.0 (open core model — community edition is fully open source)
- Self-hosting: Docker Compose setup. Moderate difficulty — you'll need PostgreSQL and Redis
- Managed option: AppFlowy Cloud offers a hosted version
Pricing
- Self-hosted: Free
- AppFlowy Cloud: Free tier available, paid plans for teams
Best For
Small to mid-size teams migrating from Notion who want the same look and feel with self-hosting capability. Ideal if your team already knows Notion's interface.
View AppFlowy on Open Source Alternatives
2. AFFiNE — Docs, Whiteboards, and Databases in One Workspace
Best for creative and product teams that need visual thinking alongside structured docs.
AFFiNE is the most ambitious tool on this list. It doesn't just replicate Notion — it merges documents, whiteboards (like Miro), and databases into a single local-first workspace. You can start brainstorming on a whiteboard, convert ideas into structured documents, and track them in a database, all without switching apps.
Key Features
- Hyperfused workspace combining docs, whiteboards, and databases
- AI partner that assists with writing, drawing, and planning
- Block-based editor with modular content types
- Local-first architecture — your data stays on your device by default
- Ready-to-use templates for projects, meeting notes, and wikis
- Open source with strong community contributions
Pros
- Unique whiteboard integration that no other Notion alternative offers
- Local-first means your data is always available, even offline
- Beautiful, modern UI that feels polished
- AI features are built into the workflow, not bolted on
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than Notion — the whiteboard + docs paradigm takes adjustment
- Still in active development — some features are rough around the edges
- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to established alternatives
License and Hosting
- License: MIT (very permissive — you can use it commercially without restrictions)
- Self-hosting: Docker setup available. Moderate difficulty
- Managed option: AFFiNE Cloud for hosted access
Pricing
- Self-hosted: Free
- AFFiNE Cloud: Free tier, paid plans for advanced features
Best For
Product teams, designers, and creative professionals who think visually. If you use both Notion and Miro (or FigJam), AFFiNE can replace both.
View AFFiNE on Open Source Alternatives
3. Notesnook — Privacy-First Notes with End-to-End Encryption
Best for individuals and teams who need encrypted note-taking that no one else can read.
Notesnook takes a fundamentally different approach from Notion. Instead of trying to be an everything-workspace, it focuses on one thing: secure, encrypted note-taking. Every note is encrypted on your device before syncing to the cloud. Notesnook cannot read your content — and neither can anyone who compromises their servers.
Key Features
- End-to-end encryption on every note, attachment, and sync operation
- Rich text editor with tables, tasks, embeds, and Markdown support
- Bidirectional note linking for building knowledge graphs
- Web clipper for saving content from browsers
- Cross-platform — desktop, web, iOS, and Android
- Encrypted sharing via Monographs (publish notes without exposing your vault)
Pros
- Zero-knowledge encryption — even Notesnook's team cannot access your data
- Clean, fast interface without the bloat of a full workspace tool
- Hardware security key support for app locking
- Open source client apps, web clipper, and sync server
Cons
- No databases, kanban boards, or project management features — it's a note-taking app, not a workspace
- No real-time collaboration (by design — encryption makes this hard)
- Smaller feature set than Notion (intentionally)
License and Hosting
- License: GPL-3.0 (copyleft — modifications must stay open source)
- Self-hosting: Sync server is open source and self-hostable
- Managed option: Notesnook cloud with encrypted sync
Pricing
- Free tier with core features
- Pro plan for advanced features (notebooks, attachments, vault)
- Self-hosted sync server: Free
Best For
Journalists, researchers, lawyers, and anyone handling sensitive information who cannot risk their notes being readable by a third party. Skip this if you need Notion's project management features.
View Notesnook on Open Source Alternatives
4. SiYuan — A Power User's Knowledge Management System
Best for developers and researchers who want block-level control over their knowledge base.
SiYuan is what you get when you design a note-taking app for people who think in graphs, not folders. Every piece of content is a "block" that can be referenced, embedded, and linked from anywhere in your workspace. Combined with bidirectional links, spaced repetition, and database support, SiYuan is the most powerful personal knowledge management tool on this list.
Key Features
- Block-level editing — every paragraph, heading, and list item is an addressable block
- Bidirectional links with automatic backlink tracking
- Spaced repetition using the FSRS algorithm — turn any block into a flashcard
- Database support with relations, rollups, and templates
- AI integration via OpenAI for writing, translation, and brainstorming
- End-to-end encrypted sync between devices
- Outline views for organizing knowledge hierarchically
Pros
- Block-referencing system is more granular than Notion's — you can embed individual paragraphs
- Spaced repetition is unique among Notion alternatives
- Works completely offline with encrypted cloud sync
- Highly customizable with themes and CSS snippets
Cons
- Steeper learning curve — the block-reference paradigm requires adjustment
- UI is functional but less polished than Notion or AFFiNE
- Community is primarily Chinese-speaking (English docs available but less comprehensive)
- Mobile apps lag behind desktop in features
License and Hosting
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Self-hosting: Docker deployment available. Moderate difficulty
- Managed option: SiYuan Cloud for sync
Pricing
- Local use: Free
- Cloud sync: Paid subscription
- Self-hosted sync: Free
Best For
Researchers, students, and developers who build interconnected knowledge bases. If you use Notion primarily for personal knowledge management and wish it had Roam Research-style linking, SiYuan is your tool.
View SiYuan on Open Source Alternatives
5. Joplin — The Battle-Tested Markdown Note-Taker
Best for developers and Markdown users who want a simple, encrypted note sync across every device.
Joplin has been around since 2017 and is one of the most mature open source note-taking apps. It's not trying to be Notion — it's a Markdown-first note-taking app with notebooks, tags, and flexible sync. What sets Joplin apart is its sync flexibility: you can sync via Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or any WebDAV server.
Key Features
- Markdown editor with live preview and WYSIWYG options
- Notebook organization with sub-notebooks and tags
- Flexible sync — Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, or S3
- End-to-end encryption for secure sync
- Web clipper for Chrome and Firefox
- Plugin system with 200+ community plugins
- Cross-platform — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and terminal app
Pros
- Most sync options of any tool on this list — use whatever storage you already have
- Massive plugin ecosystem extending functionality (tables, kanban, backlinks, and more)
- Battle-tested stability — 7+ years of active development
- Exports to standard Markdown files — no vendor lock-in even from Joplin itself
Cons
- No native database or kanban views (available via plugins, but not as polished)
- UI looks dated compared to Notion, AFFiNE, or AppFlowy
- No real-time collaboration — it's a personal tool
- Markdown-first means non-technical users may struggle initially
License and Hosting
- License: AGPL-3.0 (open core — plugins may vary)
- Self-hosting: Use Nextcloud, WebDAV, or S3 for sync. Easy difficulty
- Managed option: Joplin Cloud for hosted sync and sharing
Pricing
- App: Free
- Joplin Cloud: From $2.99/month for sync and sharing
- Self-hosted sync: Free (bring your own storage)
Best For
Developers and technical users who live in Markdown and want maximum flexibility in where their notes are stored. Ideal if you already use Nextcloud or Dropbox and want to add note-taking without a new subscription.
View Joplin on Open Source Alternatives
6. Outline — The Best Open Source Team Wiki
Best for teams that need a polished, real-time collaborative knowledge base with Slack integration.
Outline is not a Notion clone — it's a focused team wiki. If your primary use of Notion is internal documentation, product specs, meeting notes, and onboarding guides, Outline does all of that with a cleaner interface and better real-time collaboration. The Slack integration is particularly strong: search and share docs without leaving your chat.
Key Features
- Fast editor with Markdown support, slash commands, and rich embeds
- Real-time collaboration — multiple team members editing simultaneously
- Powerful search across the entire workspace with AI-powered answers
- Slack integration — search, share, and get notifications in Slack
- Public sharing with custom domains and branding
- Role-based permissions with user groups and access levels
- API and integrations for Figma, Loom, and custom workflows
Pros
- The most polished UI of any open source wiki tool
- Real-time collaboration that actually works well
- Slack integration is best-in-class for team wikis
- Custom domains and white-labeling for public-facing docs
Cons
- No databases, kanban boards, or project management — it's a wiki, not a workspace
- Business Source License (BSL 1.1) — free to self-host but with commercial use restrictions
- Self-hosting requires PostgreSQL, Redis, and S3-compatible storage
- No offline mode for the web app
License and Hosting
- License: BSL 1.1 (converts to Apache 2.0 after 3 years — free for most uses, restrictions on competing hosted services)
- Self-hosting: Docker Compose. Moderate to advanced difficulty (needs PostgreSQL, Redis, S3)
- Managed option: Outline Cloud
Pricing
- Self-hosted: Free
- Outline Cloud: Paid plans for teams
Best For
Engineering teams and companies that need internal documentation with real-time collaboration and Slack integration. Not the right choice if you need Notion's database or project management features.
View Outline on Open Source Alternatives
7. Docmost — Simple, Clean Document Management
Best for small teams that want a straightforward place to collect and organize documents.
Docmost is the simplest tool on this list — and that's its strength. While other alternatives try to match Notion feature-for-feature, Docmost focuses on the basics: create documents, organize them in folders, share them with your team. If Notion feels like overkill and you just need a shared wiki, Docmost delivers.
Key Features
- Clean document editor with straightforward formatting
- Folder-based organization with categories and tags
- Team sharing with permissions and link sharing
- Search across all documents
- Web and mobile access for on-the-go editing
- Self-hosted with simple Docker deployment
Pros
- Simplest setup and lowest learning curve on this list
- Clean interface with no unnecessary complexity
- Lightweight — runs on minimal server resources
- Self-hosting is straightforward
Cons
- No databases, kanban boards, or advanced features
- Limited integrations compared to other tools
- Smaller community and slower development pace
- Not suitable for complex project management workflows
License and Hosting
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Self-hosting: Docker. Easy difficulty — minimal dependencies
- Managed option: Docmost cloud available
Pricing
- Self-hosted: Free
- Managed: Paid plans available
Best For
Freelancers, small teams, and non-technical users who need a simple document hub. Think of it as a self-hosted Google Docs alternative for internal use.
View Docmost on Open Source Alternatives
How to Choose the Right Notion Alternative
The best open source Notion alternative depends on what you actually use Notion for:
If you need a full Notion replacement with docs, databases, and kanban boards: Start with AppFlowy. It's the closest match to Notion's feature set and the easiest transition for teams already using Notion.
If you're a visual thinker who uses whiteboards alongside docs: AFFiNE is the only tool that combines both. It's less mature than AppFlowy but more innovative.
If privacy is non-negotiable: Notesnook for personal encrypted notes, or SiYuan for a full knowledge management system with encrypted sync.
If you're a developer who thinks in Markdown: Joplin gives you the most control over storage and sync, with the largest plugin ecosystem.
If you need a team wiki with real-time collaboration: Outline is the most polished option, especially if your team lives in Slack.
If you want something simple: Docmost does the basics well without overwhelming you with features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a truly free alternative to Notion?
Yes. All seven tools in this article offer free self-hosted options. AppFlowy, AFFiNE, and Joplin also have free cloud tiers. The key difference from Notion: self-hosting means you'll never hit a paywall for core features — you pay only for hosting infrastructure, which can be as low as $5/month on a VPS.
Can I import my Notion data into these tools?
AppFlowy and AFFiNE support Notion imports directly. Joplin can import Markdown exports from Notion. For others, you'll typically export from Notion as Markdown and import into the new tool. The migration is usually a one-time effort that takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on workspace size.
Which open source Notion alternative is best for teams?
For team collaboration, Outline and AppFlowy are the strongest options. Outline excels at real-time editing and Slack integration. AppFlowy offers a broader feature set with databases and boards. For teams handling sensitive data, Notesnook provides end-to-end encrypted sharing.
Is self-hosting difficult?
It depends on the tool. Docmost and Joplin (with Nextcloud) are the easiest — basic Docker knowledge is enough. AppFlowy and AFFiNE need PostgreSQL and Redis, so moderate Docker Compose experience helps. Outline is the most complex, requiring PostgreSQL, Redis, and S3-compatible storage.
Do these tools work offline?
Most do. AFFiNE is local-first by design — it works offline by default and syncs when connected. SiYuan, Joplin, AppFlowy, and Notesnook all work offline with sync. Outline and Docmost have limited offline support since they're primarily web apps.
Are open source Notion alternatives secure?
Generally more secure than Notion for sensitive data. Notesnook and SiYuan offer end-to-end encryption — your data is unreadable even on the server. Joplin also supports E2EE. Self-hosting any of these tools means your data never touches a third-party server. Notion, by contrast, can access your content on their servers.
Which Notion alternative has the best AI features?
AppFlowy has the most integrated AI — writing assistance, table automation, and Q&A that runs on-device for privacy. AFFiNE offers AI for writing and drawing. SiYuan integrates with OpenAI's API. Joplin, Notesnook, Outline, and Docmost have minimal or no AI features currently.
Can I use these tools for project management?
AppFlowy is the strongest for project management with database views, kanban boards, and timeline views. AFFiNE offers database and board features alongside its whiteboard. Orgnise (another open source option in our directory) specifically targets project management with board views and team workspaces. The others focus on note-taking and documentation rather than project management.
What licenses should I care about?
MIT (AFFiNE) is the most permissive — use it however you want. AGPL-3.0 (AppFlowy, SiYuan, Joplin, Docmost) requires sharing modifications if you distribute the software. GPL-3.0 (Notesnook) is similar to AGPL. BSL 1.1 (Outline) restricts competing hosted services but is free for internal use. For most teams self-hosting internally, all licenses work fine.
How do these compare to Obsidian?
Obsidian is not open source — it's free for personal use but proprietary. If you specifically want open source, SiYuan is the closest to Obsidian's graph-based approach with bidirectional links. Joplin matches Obsidian's Markdown-first philosophy. AppFlowy and AFFiNE are closer to Notion than Obsidian in their approach.
Last updated: April 2026. I review and update this article quarterly to reflect new features, pricing changes, and emerging alternatives. Found an open source Notion alternative we missed? Submit it to our directory.