AppFlowy
A workspace for docs, wikis and project boards with optional AI features, built so you keep control of your data.
78.0k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 28, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source and self-hosted alternatives to Notion
Notion mixes docs, wikis and simple databases. The open-source options below cover the same ground, and several store your data locally first, so you are not tied to one company's servers.
Category: Notes & knowledge bases · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
Notion price change: The Business plan went from $15 to $20 per member per month (Notion AI now included). (effective May 13, 2025, details and sources)
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppFlowy Active AGPL-3.0 | A workspace for docs, wikis and project boards with optional AI features, built so you keep control of your data. | AGPL-3.0 | 78.0k | Oct 29, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| AFFiNE Active Mixed or custom | A knowledge base that combines documents, whiteboards and databases in one workspace, with a local-first design. | Mixed or custom | 74.0k | Oct 27, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| SiYuan Active AGPL-3.0 | An open-source, privacy-first, self-hosted knowledge workspace where humans and AI agents work together. | AGPL-3.0 | 47.0k | Oct 29, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| Logseq Active AGPL-3.0 | A privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration. | AGPL-3.0 | 45.4k | Oct 25, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
| Outline Active Mixed or custom | The fastest knowledge base for growing teams. Beautiful, realtime collaborative, feature packed, and markdown compatible. | Mixed or custom | 41.1k | Oct 23, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| Anytype Active Mixed or custom | Official Anytype client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows. | Mixed or custom | 9.0k | Oct 3, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
Are they still maintained?
6 of 6 Notion alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- AppFlowy: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- AFFiNE: active, last activity Oct 27, 2026 (2 days ago)
- SiYuan: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Logseq: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Outline: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Anytype: active, last activity Oct 23, 2026 (6 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from Notion costs
Notion: current plans and prices are on Notion's pricing page. Its most recent price change we track took effect on May 13, 2025 (see the price tracker).
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppFlowy | Desktop app | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| AFFiNE | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
| SiYuan | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
| Logseq | Desktop app | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| Outline | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| Anytype | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
Self-hosting basics: Outline needs a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Don't want to run a server? AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Outline and Anytype offer a hosted plan run by the project itself. Prices change, so check each project's site.
Nothing to host: AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Logseq and Anytype run on your own computer.
License check: AFFiNE, Outline and Anytype do not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using them in a business.
The options in more detail
AFFiNE
A knowledge base that combines documents, whiteboards and databases in one workspace, with a local-first design.
74.0k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 27, 2026 · GitHub · Website
SiYuan
An open-source, privacy-first, self-hosted knowledge workspace where humans and AI agents work together.
47.0k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Logseq
A privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration.
45.4k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Outline
The fastest knowledge base for growing teams. Beautiful, realtime collaborative, feature packed, and markdown compatible.
41.1k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Anytype
Official Anytype client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows.
9.0k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 23, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Notion alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Notion?
It depends on how you use Notion. Of the 6 options here, AppFlowy is the most followed on GitHub (78.0k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Oct 29, 2026. If you want an app on your own computer, look at AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Logseq and Anytype. If you need something your whole team can log into, look at Outline.
Is there a self-hosted Notion alternative?
Yes. Outline runs on a server you control, so your data stays with you. AFFiNE, SiYuan and Anytype are desktop apps that can also sync through a server you host yourself. If you'd rather not run a server, AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Outline and Anytype also offer a hosted plan from the people who make them.
Is there a free alternative to Notion?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Logseq and Anytype install on your own device, so they cost nothing to run. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of AFFiNE, Outline and Anytype before using them in a business.
Are these Notion alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 6 of 6 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. None are flagged as inactive or archived. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from Notion?
The software itself is free. Desktop and device apps (AppFlowy, AFFiNE, SiYuan, Logseq and Anytype) cost nothing to run. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. AFFiNE: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Outline: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Anytype: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
Related swaps
Know a project we missed, or maintain one listed here? Tell us. Maintainers can add a live status badge to their README.
Get new open-source swaps by email
One short email a week: newly listed projects, big releases, and projects that went quiet. No spam.