Notion AlternativesOnly Open Source apps categorised as Note-taking Tools

The best open source Note-taking 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 are open source Note-taking Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Note-taking Tool alternatives to Notion are Logseq, Joplin, Notesnook and Standard Notes.

filter to find the best alternatives

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, Self-Hosted, iPad, Free and Linux + Open Source. 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

     212 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.

    146 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.

    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

     355 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.

    244 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    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, Decentralized and LightweightNotion is not according to our users
  4. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     940 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.

    202 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.

    martinzeman
    Negative
    0

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

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused, Lightweight, Minimalistic and DecentralizedNotion is not according to our users
  5. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     212 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.

    383 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
    • Self-Hosted
    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. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     707 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.

    204 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Plain text note on free version.
     
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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
  8. Simplenote icon

    Simplenote

     610 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.

    183 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.

    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceNotion is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Simplenote is Lightweight and MinimalisticNotion is not according to our users
  9. TiddlyWiki icon

    TiddlyWiki

     314 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...

    206 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Zim

     518 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"...

    355 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
  12. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     332 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.

    146 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
  13. Tolaria icon

    Tolaria

     33 likes

    Desktop note app stores plain markdown files with YAML, supports offline-first use, integrated Git repositories for full history, native Claude AI and Codex CLI integration, open source, portable data, keyboard-driven interface, no proprietary lock-in.

    43 Tolaria alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tolaria screenshot 1
     
  14. Docmost icon

    Docmost

     52 likes

    Open-source wiki and documentation solution offering real-time collaborative editing, robust permissions, group management, spaces for organizing content, inline commenting, full-page history, advanced full-text search, nested pages, attachments, and flexible storage.

    139 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Cloudron
    Docmost screenshot 1
     
12 of 64 Notion alternatives