Ad
 
Learn more

Open Source Notion Alternatives

A curated collection of the 19 best open source alternatives to Notion.

The best open source alternative to Notion is Affine. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Notion alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Notion are: AppFlowy, Memos, SiYuan, and Logseq.

Notion alternatives are mainly Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) Tools but may also be Note-Taking Tools or Collaborative Notes & Wikis. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Notion.

Piotr Kulpinski's profile

Written by Piotr Kulpinski

All-in-one workspace for note-taking, whiteboarding, and task management with real-time collaboration and local-first architecture.

Screenshot of Affine website

Affine is a powerful, open-source platform that revolutionizes the way teams and individuals create, organize, and share knowledge. With its innovative approach to collaborative work, Affine combines the best features of note-taking, whiteboarding, and task management into a seamless, intuitive interface.

Key benefits of Affine include:

  • Versatile workspace: Effortlessly switch between structured note-taking and freeform whiteboarding, adapting to your workflow needs.
  • Real-time collaboration: Work together with your team in real-time, seeing changes instantly and fostering creativity.
  • Local-first architecture: Enjoy the security and privacy of local storage while still benefiting from cloud synchronization when needed.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Access your work from anywhere with support for web, desktop, and mobile devices.
  • Customizable and extensible: Tailor Affine to your needs with themes, plugins, and integrations.
  • Open-source foundation: Benefit from a transparent, community-driven development process and the ability to self-host.

Affine's unique blend of features makes it an ideal choice for researchers, project managers, designers, and anyone looking to enhance their productivity and creativity. Experience the future of collaborative knowledge work with Affine.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

An open-source alternative to Notion, offering powerful note-taking, task management, and database features in a customizable interface.

Screenshot of AppFlowy website

AppFlowy is a versatile, open-source productivity tool that combines the best features of note-taking apps and project management software. It provides a flexible workspace where you can organize your thoughts, tasks, and projects with ease.

Key benefits of AppFlowy include:

  • Customizable workspace: Tailor your digital environment to fit your unique workflow and preferences.
  • Rich text editing: Create beautiful, formatted notes with support for Markdown and various media types.
  • Powerful databases: Organize and visualize your data with customizable views, including tables, boards, and calendars.
  • Task management: Keep track of your to-dos and projects with built-in task lists and Kanban boards.
  • Open-source and privacy-focused: Your data remains under your control, with the option for self-hosting.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Access your workspace on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.
  • Regular updates: Benefit from continuous improvements and new features driven by an active community.
  • Extensibility: Enhance functionality with plugins and integrations.

AppFlowy combines the flexibility of a note-taking app with the structure of a project management tool, allowing you to capture ideas, plan projects, and organize information all in one place. Whether you're a student, professional, or creative, AppFlowy adapts to your needs, helping you stay organized and productive.

A self-hosted, open-source solution for secure and efficient note-taking, allowing you to easily capture and share your thoughts.

Screenshot of Memos website

Memos is a powerful, privacy-focused note-taking solution that puts you in control of your data. This lightweight, open-source tool offers a seamless experience for capturing and organizing your thoughts.

Key features:

  • Privacy First: All your data is securely stored in your local database, ensuring complete control over your information.
  • Lightning-Fast Creation: Save content as plain text for quick access, with Markdown support for easy formatting and sharing.
  • Lightweight yet Powerful: Built with Go and React.js, Memos delivers robust performance without unnecessary bloat.
  • Customizable: Easily personalize your server name, icon, description, system style, and execution scripts.
  • Open Source: Embrace transparency and collaboration with full access to the source code on GitHub.
  • Free to Use: Enjoy all features at no cost, with no hidden charges or limitations.

Why choose Memos?

  1. Effortless Note-Taking: Quickly jot down ideas, create to-do lists, or draft longer content with an intuitive interface.
  2. Secure Self-Hosting: Keep your data under your control by hosting Memos on your own server or device.
  3. Markdown Support: Format your notes with ease using Markdown syntax for clean, structured content.
  4. Cross-Platform Sync: Access your notes from any device with seamless synchronization.
  5. Active Community: Benefit from regular updates and improvements driven by a passionate open-source community.

Whether you're a student, professional, or creative thinker, Memos provides a streamlined, secure environment for capturing and organizing your ideas. Experience the freedom of open-source, privacy-focused note-taking today!

SiYuan is a personal knowledge management system that prioritizes privacy, supports Markdown, and offers block-level referencing and bidirectional linking.

Screenshot of SiYuan website

SiYuan is a robust personal knowledge management system designed with privacy at its core. It offers a unique blend of features that cater to users who value data security and efficient information organization.

Key features of SiYuan include:

  • Complete offline usage: Work on your knowledge base without an internet connection, ensuring your data remains under your control.
  • End-to-end encrypted sync: Securely synchronize your data across devices without compromising privacy.
  • Block-level editing: Organize your thoughts and knowledge at a granular level, making it easier to reference and link information.
  • Bidirectional linking: Create a web of interconnected knowledge, enhancing the discoverability and context of your notes.
  • WYSIWYG editor: Enjoy a user-friendly interface that supports Markdown formatting.
  • AI integration: Access OpenAI capabilities to assist with writing, translation, and idea generation.
  • Database functionality: Create relational databases within your knowledge base for more structured data management.
  • Spaced repetition: Improve memory retention with built-in review algorithms.

SiYuan stands out by combining the power of block-level referencing, bidirectional links, and a privacy-first approach. This makes it an ideal tool for users who need to manage complex information structures while maintaining control over their data. Whether you're a researcher, writer, or knowledge worker, SiYuan provides the tools to refactor your thinking and build a comprehensive personal knowledge base.

A privacy-first, open-source platform for networked thought. Organize, connect, and discover your ideas with ease.

Screenshot of Logseq website

Logseq is a powerful, open-source knowledge management tool that revolutionizes the way you capture, organize, and explore your thoughts. At its core, Logseq functions as a local-first, non-linear notebook that empowers users to create a personalized knowledge graph.

Key benefits of Logseq include:

  • Flexible organization: Use bidirectional links to connect ideas organically, creating a network of knowledge that grows with your understanding.
  • Privacy-focused: Your data stays on your device, ensuring complete control and privacy of your information.
  • Markdown & Org-mode support: Write in familiar formats, making it easy to migrate existing notes or export your work.
  • Daily journaling: Effortlessly maintain a daily log of thoughts, tasks, and progress.
  • Graph view: Visualize connections between your notes, uncovering new insights and relationships.
  • Customizable workflows: Adapt Logseq to your needs with plugins, themes, and custom CSS.
  • Collaboration-friendly: Share specific pages or graphs with others while maintaining control over your private notes.
  • Cross-platform: Access your knowledge base on desktop or mobile devices, ensuring your ideas are always at your fingertips.

Whether you're a student, researcher, writer, or professional, Logseq provides a robust framework for capturing, connecting, and cultivating your ideas. Experience the power of networked thought and unlock your full cognitive potential with Logseq.

Secure, fast, and beautiful wiki platform that scales with your team, integrating seamlessly with your existing tools.

Screenshot of Outline website

Outline is a powerful, open-source wiki and knowledge base platform designed for modern teams. It offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes documenting and sharing information effortless.

Key benefits of Outline include:

  • Real-time collaboration: Work together on documents simultaneously, with changes synced instantly across all devices.
  • Markdown support: Write and format content easily using familiar Markdown syntax.
  • Powerful search: Find information quickly with full-text search and customizable filters.
  • Integrations: Connect with popular tools like Slack, Google Docs, and Figma to streamline your workflow.
  • Version history: Track changes and revert to previous versions of any document with ease.
  • Customizable structure: Organize your knowledge base with a flexible hierarchy of collections and nested documents.
  • Self-hosted option: Maintain full control over your data with the ability to self-host Outline on your own infrastructure.
  • API access: Extend functionality and integrate Outline into your existing systems using the robust API.

Outline prioritizes security with features like SSO, 2FA, and granular access controls. Its sleek, minimalist design ensures a distraction-free writing environment, while its responsive layout adapts seamlessly to any device. Whether you're documenting processes, collaborating on projects, or building an internal knowledge base, Outline provides the tools you need to keep your team aligned and productive.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

An open-source platform that combines project management, team communication, document collaboration, and virtual office spaces in one integrated solution.

Screenshot of Huly website

Transform your team's workflow with this comprehensive open-source platform that replaces multiple tools with one unified solution. Featuring robust project management capabilities, real-time team communication, and collaborative document editing.

Key highlights include:

  • Virtual Office Experience: Create customized workspace rooms with high-quality audio/video conferencing
  • Two-way GitHub Integration: Seamless synchronization with GitHub Issues and Projects
  • Team Planning Tools: Centralized calendar, time-blocking, and task management
  • Document Collaboration: Rich text editing with real-time co-editing capabilities
  • MetaBrain Knowledge Base: Connected workflow elements that build your team's collective knowledge

The platform excels in remote team collaboration with features like instant notifications, keyboard shortcuts, and advanced filtering. Teams can manage projects, conduct meetings, share documents, and communicate effectively - all within a single, intuitive interface. The built-in virtual office functionality makes remote work feel natural, while the GitHub integration ensures developers stay in sync with their workflow.

A feature-rich wiki platform with real-time collaboration, rich-text editing, advanced permissions, and support for diagrams, translations, and file management.

Screenshot of Docmost website

Docmost transforms team documentation with its powerful collaborative features. The real-time rich-text editor supports simultaneous editing with integrated tools for diagrams (Mermaid, Draw.io, Excalidraw), tables, math equations, and embedded content.

Organization is seamless with nested pages and dedicated spaces for different teams or projects. The robust permissions system with group management ensures precise access control. Content discovery is efficient through Postgres-powered full-text search.

Notable features include:

  • Inline commenting for team discussions
  • Comprehensive page history and version control
  • File attachments with S3 or local storage support
  • Import/export in Markdown and HTML formats
  • Multilingual interface available in 10+ languages
  • Built-in diagramming tools for technical documentation

The platform combines security, flexibility, and ease of use while avoiding vendor lock-in through open standards. Perfect for companies seeking a self-hosted solution for knowledge management, technical documentation, and team collaboration.

Transform document collaboration with real-time editing, version control, and secure sharing features that enhance team productivity and communication.

Screenshot of Docs website

A powerful document collaboration platform that brings teams together for seamless content creation and editing. Real-time collaboration allows multiple users to work simultaneously on documents, with changes reflected instantly across all users.

The platform offers robust version control to track changes and maintain document history, making it easy to review edits and revert to previous versions when needed. Smart commenting and annotation features enable contextual discussions right within documents.

Key features include:

  • Intuitive rich text editing with formatting tools
  • Secure document sharing with customizable permissions
  • Automatic saving and backup
  • Cross-platform compatibility for access anywhere
  • Integration with popular productivity tools
  • Offline mode for uninterrupted work

Whether you're writing business proposals, technical documentation, or creative content, Docs provides the tools needed for efficient document management and team collaboration.

End-to-end encrypted note-taking app with cross-platform sync, rich text editing, and offline support for ultimate privacy and productivity.

Screenshot of Notesnook website

Notesnook is the ultimate solution for privacy-conscious individuals who want to keep their thoughts, ideas, and information secure. This powerful note-taking app combines robust security features with a user-friendly interface, making it the perfect choice for both personal and professional use.

Key benefits of Notesnook include:

  • End-to-end encryption: Your notes are encrypted on your device before being synced, ensuring that only you can access your information.
  • Cross-platform synchronization: Seamlessly access your notes across all your devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
  • Rich text editing: Create beautifully formatted notes with support for Markdown, tables, and code blocks.
  • Offline support: Work on your notes anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection.
  • Organization tools: Keep your notes organized with notebooks, tags, and powerful search capabilities.
  • Import and export: Easily migrate your notes from other platforms or export them in various formats.
  • Customizable themes: Personalize your note-taking experience with light and dark modes.
  • Regular updates: Benefit from continuous improvements and new features added by the dedicated development team.

With Notesnook, you can focus on capturing your ideas and staying productive, knowing that your privacy is protected. Whether you're a student, professional, or creative individual, Notesnook provides the tools you need to manage your digital life securely and efficiently.

The next generation of open-source AI-powered card notes designed to help you quickly capture and organize inspiration so that ideas never run out.

Screenshot of Blinko website

Blinko is a powerful self-hosted note-taking solution that puts you in control of your personal knowledge management. With its intuitive interface, you can:

  • Create and organize notes with rich text formatting and markdown support
  • Build connections between related notes to create a personal knowledge graph
  • Keep your data private and secure by self-hosting on your own infrastructure
  • Access your notes from anywhere through web and mobile interfaces
  • Import and export notes in standard formats for data portability
  • Customize the experience with themes and plugins

Perfect for students, researchers, writers, and anyone who wants to build a structured personal knowledge base while maintaining complete control over their data.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

A versatile, open-source tool for organizing thoughts, notes, and data with customizable objects and relational structures.

Screenshot of AnyType website

AnyType revolutionizes personal knowledge management by offering a flexible, open-source platform that adapts to your unique way of thinking. At its core, AnyType allows you to create and connect customizable objects, representing anything from notes and tasks to projects and contacts.

Key benefits of AnyType include:

  • Infinite customization: Design your own object types and relations to match your specific needs and workflows.
  • Powerful linking: Create meaningful connections between your ideas, tasks, and information for a truly interconnected knowledge base.
  • Local-first approach: Your data stays on your device, ensuring privacy and control over your information.
  • Cross-platform synchronization: Seamlessly access and update your knowledge across all your devices.
  • Open-source foundation: Benefit from community-driven development and the ability to extend functionality.
  • Markdown support: Write and format your content with ease using familiar Markdown syntax.
  • Graph view: Visualize the connections between your objects for better insight and discovery.
  • Customizable views: Organize and display your information in tables, boards, or galleries to suit your preferences.

AnyType empowers you to build a digital second brain that truly reflects your thought processes, making it an indispensable tool for researchers, writers, students, and anyone seeking to organize their digital life more effectively.

Open-source collaboration platform combining real-time chat, document editing, file sharing, and project management. Self-host for complete control.

Screenshot of Colanode website

Colanode is a comprehensive collaboration platform that brings together all the tools your team needs in one self-hosted solution. Unlike traditional cloud-based alternatives, this local-first application gives you complete control over your data while providing instant access to your content.

Key features include:

  • Real-time chat for seamless team communication
  • Collaborative document editing with flexible formatting options
  • Built-in file manager for easy file sharing and organization
  • Offline support that syncs when you're back online
  • AI assistant to help with content creation and workflow optimization
  • Zero loading times thanks to local-first architecture

The platform is designed for teams who value data ownership and privacy while maintaining the collaborative features found in popular tools like Slack and Notion. With self-hosting capabilities, you can deploy Colanode on your own infrastructure, ensuring sensitive information never leaves your control.

Whether you're managing projects, writing documentation, or coordinating with team members, Colanode provides a unified workspace that works both online and offline, making it ideal for distributed teams and organizations with strict data governance requirements.

Ryot is a versatile platform for effortlessly tracking media, fitness, and more, replacing manual methods like spreadsheets.

Screenshot of Ryot website

Ryot is a powerful, all-in-one tracking platform designed to help you manage various aspects of your life with ease. Say goodbye to manual tracking methods and embrace a more efficient way to monitor your media consumption, fitness progress, and more.

Key Features:

  • Effortless Tracking: Ryot's intuitive interface eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving you time and effort.

  • Seamless Integration: Connect your favorite apps and services to centralize all your data in one place.

  • Advanced Analytics: Gain valuable insights with Ryot's visualization tools and trend identification features.

  • Customizable Experience: Tailor the platform to your unique needs by enabling or disabling specific tracking facets.

  • Multi-Platform Support: Access your data anytime, anywhere with Ryot's web, mobile, and desktop applications.

  • Privacy-Focused Sharing: Share your profile data with friends and family without compromising your privacy using limited access links.

Why Choose Ryot?

Ryot streamlines your tracking experience, allowing you to focus on what matters most. Whether you're a movie buff looking to manage your watchlist, a fitness enthusiast tracking your workouts, or simply someone who wants to organize their life better, Ryot provides the tools you need to stay on top of your goals and interests.

With its user-friendly design and powerful features, Ryot is the ultimate solution for anyone looking to upgrade their tracking experience and gain deeper insights into their daily activities and preferences.

XWiki is a flexible, feature-rich wiki software that helps organizations structure and share knowledge efficiently.

Screenshot of XWiki website

XWiki is an enterprise-grade, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration. It offers a unique "Structured Wiki" concept, combining the flexibility of wikis with powerful organization features.

Key benefits include:

  1. Structured Knowledge: XWiki goes beyond traditional wikis by allowing users to create structured content, making information easier to organize and find.

  2. Customization: The platform is highly adaptable, supporting custom applications and workflows to meet specific organizational needs.

  3. Collaboration Tools: XWiki provides robust features for team collaboration, including real-time editing, comments, and version control.

  4. Security and Access Control: Granular permissions and access controls ensure that sensitive information remains protected.

  5. Integration: XWiki can integrate with various third-party tools and systems, enhancing its functionality and fitting into existing workflows.

  6. Open Source: As an open-source solution, XWiki offers transparency, community support, and freedom from vendor lock-in.

  7. Scalability: XWiki is designed to handle large amounts of data and users, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.

  8. Multiple Deployment Options: Available as a cloud service or for on-premises installation, providing flexibility in deployment.

XWiki is trusted by over 800 teams worldwide, including major organizations like Amazon, SNCF, and CNFPT. It's particularly well-suited for creating knowledge bases, managing procedures, building intranets, and developing custom collaborative applications.

Whether you're looking for a standard solution or a custom-tailored platform, XWiki offers the tools and services to streamline your organization's knowledge sharing and collaboration processes.

A local-first note-taking application that prioritizes privacy and efficiency, featuring Markdown support, offline access, and powerful organization tools.

Screenshot of Beaver Notes website

Beaver Notes is a powerful open-source note-taking application built with privacy and productivity in mind. Your notes are stored exclusively on your local device, ensuring complete data privacy and control.

Key features include:

  • Privacy-First Design: All notes are saved locally on your computer
  • Markdown Support: Create rich formatted content with simple text syntax
  • Note Linking: Build a personal knowledge graph by connecting related notes
  • Command Prompt: Quick access to search, settings, and theme switching
  • Advanced Organization: Tag system and heading tree for easy navigation
  • Rich Media Support: Embed documents, presentations, and create diagrams with Mermaid
  • Export Options: Share notes as PDFs or sync across devices using your preferred cloud service
  • Code & Math Support: Syntax highlighting for code blocks and LaTeX math expressions

The application combines modern design with powerful features while maintaining simplicity and ease of use. Whether you're taking personal notes, managing projects, or creating documentation, Beaver Notes provides the tools you need without compromising on privacy.

Looking for open source alternatives to other popular services? Check out other posts in the alternatives series and openalternative.co, a directory of open source software with filters for tags and alternatives for easy browsing and discovery.

A customizable, offline-first note editor that lets you format text, create lists, add images, and export to HTML - all while maintaining your privacy.

Screenshot of Darkwrite website

Darkwrite is a feature-rich note-taking application designed for users who value both functionality and privacy. The editor supports essential formatting options like lists, text styling, and image embedding while maintaining a clean, distraction-free interface.

Key benefits:

  • Truly offline experience: All your notes are stored locally, ensuring complete privacy and constant access
  • Customizable interface: Choose from multiple themes and fonts to create your perfect writing environment
  • Export flexibility: Save your work as HTML files for easy sharing and backup
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Open-source transparency: Full access to the source code ensures security and trust

Whether you're taking quick notes or working on longer documents, Darkwrite provides the perfect balance of features and simplicity while keeping your data private and secure.

Justnote is a secure note-taking app that lets you easily create and sync notes across devices while maintaining full control of your data.

Screenshot of Justnote website

Justnote is a privacy-focused note-taking app designed for simplicity, speed, and data ownership. Key features include:

  • Simple and fast interface for quick note-taking on any device
  • End-to-end encryption to keep your notes private and secure
  • Cross-device syncing to access notes anywhere
  • Web3 technology that gives you full control of your account and data
  • No ads or data mining
  • Rich text editor with formatting options
  • Dark mode for comfortable night-time use
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android

Justnote uses blockchain technology from Stacks to create a truly decentralized app where only you can access and control your account and notes. Your data is encrypted and stored on servers of your choice.

With Justnote, you can quickly jot down ideas, to-do lists, and other notes without worrying about privacy or losing access to your data. The clean, distraction-free interface lets you focus on your thoughts.

Whether you need a simple notepad for quick memos or a secure place to store sensitive information, Justnote provides an easy-to-use and private note-taking experience across all your devices.

A versatile project management platform that combines task organization, team collaboration, and workflow automation in one intuitive interface.

Screenshot of Orgnise website

Orgnise is a powerful project management solution designed to help teams of all sizes streamline their workflows and boost productivity. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set, Orgnise makes it easy to plan, track, and execute projects from start to finish.

Key benefits of Orgnise include:

  • Intuitive Task Management: Create, assign, and prioritize tasks with ease. Use drag-and-drop functionality to organize tasks into customizable lists, boards, or timelines.

  • Team Collaboration: Foster seamless communication with built-in chat, file sharing, and commenting features. Keep everyone on the same page and reduce email clutter.

  • Workflow Automation: Set up automated workflows to handle repetitive tasks, notifications, and status updates, saving time and reducing human error.

  • Customizable Dashboards: Get a bird's-eye view of your projects with personalized dashboards. Monitor progress, track deadlines, and identify bottlenecks at a glance.

  • Time Tracking and Reporting: Log time spent on tasks and generate detailed reports to analyze team performance and project profitability.

  • Integration Ecosystem: Connect Orgnise with your favorite tools through a wide range of integrations, including calendar apps, file storage services, and communication platforms.

Whether you're managing complex projects or simply organizing your daily tasks, Orgnise adapts to your needs, helping you stay focused and productive. Experience the power of efficient project management with Orgnise today.

Share:

People are looking for alternatives to...

Favicon

 

   
 
Favicon

 

   
 
Favicon

 

   
 
Favicon

 

   
 
Favicon

 

   
 
Favicon