The Best Open Source Notion AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Notion

The best open source alternative to Notion is AppFlowy. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Notion and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Notion are Logseq, Joplin, Standard Notes and Notesnook.

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Notion alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Mac, Open Source, iPad, EU, Self-Hosted and Linux. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Notion.
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Alternatives list

  1. AppFlowy icon

    AppFlowy

     196 likes

    Open-source workspace offering complete data control, deep customization via themes, plugins, and templates, native multi-platform support using Flutter and Rust, offline access, privacy features, collaborative tools, and easy extensibility for all users.

    110 AppFlowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
     
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    8
    AppFlowy vs Notion Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Baptiste THIVEND
    1

    Simple to install and efficient. In heavy development, as of Q3 2023 there's still for improvement to reach all Notion's possibility, however at the rythm of a release every month, it should be rapidly do the job for a small team.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    1

    It's still in development. Only functions to take notes at this time.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Christoph
    0

    It has that Notion feel (blocks, collaborative real-time editing etc.) but some functions still need more debugging. Publishing pages is blocked for some users, you have to contact support and support is not responsive. However, it is under steady development and looks promising.

    3 of 8 comments
    • AppFlowy is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • AppFlowy is Privacy focused and LightweightNotion is not according to our users
  2. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     329 likes

    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    190 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Logseq vs Notion Comments
    isTrick
    Positive
    6

    Logseq have some good knowledge management tools out of the box, like graph view, flashcards, whiteboards, etc. It's open-source and privacy focused. But for project management isn't the best alternative.

    AbdulrhmanFawzy
    Positive
    0

    Logseq is fully open source, free, privacy-focused and local-first compared to Notion, it's also more customizable

    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Logseq is Privacy focused and LightweightNotion is not according to our users
  4. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     893 likes

    Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

    133 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Joplin screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Joplin vs Notion Comments
    Johxz
    Negative
    11

    Oh come on who added Joplin as alternative to Notion? haha :D Joplin is very far behind what Notion offers. Joplin don't have a tree organization structure, don't have nodes, blocks, properties, custom properties, todo, list, tasks, wiki, calendar, node links, templates, icons, etc. Joplin is just a simple note taken app nothing more. Notion allow you all I mention, you can plan track your projects, life and more.

    Guest
    Positive
    4

    If the devs will keep developing this app it could be the biggest competitor for Evernote.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    martinzeman
    Negative
    0

    Notion is not just a note taking app, it's also a database mananger, Joplin does not come close.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused, Lightweight and MinimalisticNotion is not according to our users
  5. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     695 likes

    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    148 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes homepage.
     
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    2
    Standard Notes vs Notion Comments
    LordMax
    Negative
    12

    It's a really good note app but not similar to notion

    Mario Mazzoli
    Positive
    3

    Good for notes, fantastic for spreadsheets, but Notion is still superior for table content.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused, Minimalistic and Security-focusedNotion is not according to our users
  6. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     185 likes

    Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

    329 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Notesnook vs Notion Comments
    Paul
    Positive
    1

    Open source and private alternative to Notion. The notes are end to end encrypted, it supports all platform, and the pricing options are not excessive. Great software!

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focused and LightweightNotion is not according to our users
  7. AFFiNE icon

    AFFiNE

     113 likes

    Open-source, privacy-focused workspace combining note-taking, project and task management, Kanban board, interactive whiteboard, Pomodoro timer, Markdown support, offline access, real-time team collaboration with @mentions, goal tracking, subtasks, and customizable features.

    156 AFFiNE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    AFFiNE screenshot 1
     
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    2
    AFFiNE vs Notion Comments
    adri66
    Positive
    0

    Notion like but open source

    sergey27564
    Positive
    0

    The whiteboard functional is great and helps to manage tasks and projects better

    • AFFiNE is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • AFFiNE is Privacy focused and LightweightNotion is not according to our users
  9. Zim icon

    Zim

     512 likes

    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    331 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Zim vs Notion Comments
    Wesley Jensen
    0

    Good concept, but limited by the lack of a mobile app.

    LordMax
    Positive
    0

    really good but only for linux, in windows it's too limited

    • Zim is Free and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zim is Lightweight and Privacy focusedNotion is not according to our users
  10. TiddlyWiki icon

    TiddlyWiki

     310 likes

    TiddlyWiki is a single html file with all the characteristics of a wiki - including all of the functionality (including editing, saving, tagging and searching) and the style sheet. Because its a single file, its very portable - you can email it, put it on a web server or share...

    186 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Xfce
    • RemoteStorage
    TiddlyWiki screenshot 1
     
  11. Simplenote icon

    Simplenote

     604 likes

    Cloud-based, open-source note-taking app supporting plain text notes, lists, and ideas with real-time sync, multi-device support, version history, markdown, tagging, collaborative editing, no ads, and free registration required for all cloud features.

    135 Simplenote alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Simplenote screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Simplenote vs Notion Comments
    Serely Lalla
    Negative
    14

    Notion is wiki-styled, you can make databases, custom templates, making tables. Simple notes is just a plain notebook software.

    Wesley Jensen
    Negative
    1

    Simplenote is, well, much simpler and note-focused.

    martinzeman
    Negative
    0

    Simplenote is a trivial note taking app with limited Markdown support that cannot compete with Notion's feature set by any stretch of the imagination.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Simplenote is Lightweight and MinimalisticNotion is not according to our users
  13. Docmost icon

    Docmost

     47 likes

    Docmost is an open-source collaborative wiki and documentation software. It is an open-source alternative to Confluence and Notion.

    111 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Docker
    Docmost screenshot 1
     
  14. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     323 likes

    Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

    116 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
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    3
    CherryTree vs Notion Comments
    MaxRenn
    Negative
    5

    It's just a hierarchical note taking app. Not as powerful as Notion.

    Wesley Jensen
    0

    Very good notes app, but has no mobile app.

    LordMax
    Positive
    -1

    It's really good, free, portable etc The proble is the proprietary file system and it doens't work online

    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • CherryTree is Privacy focusedNotion is not according to our users
12 of 63 Notion alternatives