The Best Roam Research AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Roam Research

Roam Research is described as 'As easy to use as a word document or bulleted list, and as powerful for finding, collecting, and connecting related ideas as a graph database. Collaborate with others in real time, or store all your data locally' and is a popular Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Roam Research for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web-based and Android apps. The best Roam Research alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Roam Research are Logseq, Anytype, Notesnook and Zettlr.

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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1102 likes

    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    190 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Obsidian vs Roam Research Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    inshilon
    4

    Really similar in the approach, but it's offline.

    birnle
    Positive
    0

    Obsidian is a dream for creative and scientific writers who need to make notes and find not only these, but related ones, too. Obsidian is in my opinion the best markdown-based notes solution available.

    sCojQE5
    Positive
    -3

    Obsidian is a good alternative to Roam Research for those of you who prefer shopping at locally owned boutiques and shops compared to going to the Mall or Nordstroms.

    3 of 6 comments
    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryRoam Research is Paid and Proprietary
    • Obsidian is Lightweight and Privacy focusedRoam Research is not according to our users
  2. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     320 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.

    177 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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    5
    Logseq vs Roam Research Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    inshilon
    0

    It's free to use, although it's still a bit behind in performance and polish.

    Hibiscus
    Positive
    0

    Shares many similarities with Roam, except that Roam stores online. Workflow is basically the same. PDF-handling and use of aliases is far superior in Logseq.

    cosmo
    Positive
    0

    It's the most feature-complete, privacy-respecting, open-source alternative to Roam Research!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceRoam Research is Paid and Proprietary
    • Logseq is Privacy focused, Lightweight and CustomizableRoam Research is not according to our users
  4. Anytype icon

    Anytype

     278 likes

    Manage notes, tasks, and projects offline with Markdown support. Enjoy encrypted storage, P2P syncing, and powerful dynamic collections across all devices, while allowing redistribution and modification for non-commercial uses.

    150 Anytype alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Movie Database
     
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  6. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     183 likes

    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    314 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
     
  7. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     248 likes

    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    184 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
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    1
    Zettlr vs Roam Research Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Your files are always available offline.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceRoam Research is Paid and Proprietary
    • Zettlr is Privacy focused and LightweightRoam Research is not according to our users
  8. Zim icon

    Zim

     511 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"...

    323 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
  10. AFFiNE icon

    AFFiNE

     112 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.

    144 AFFiNE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    AFFiNE screenshot 1
     
  11. TiddlyWiki icon

    TiddlyWiki

     308 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...

    183 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Typora

     327 likes

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file management with tree and articles panels, and content organization through an outline panel.

    177 Typora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    Typora screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Typora vs Roam Research Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Similar aesthetic, well integrated feature-set (link inline LaTeX support), relatively minimalist writing experience. No backlinks, nor block-level support.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Typora is Paid and ProprietaryRoam Research is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Typora is Lightweight, Minimalistic and CustomizableRoam Research is not according to our users
  13. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     322 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.

    108 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
  14. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     112 likes

    The original trilium is transfered to this repo by its owner and the app continues to develop here as stated here: https://github.com/TriliumNext/Trilium

    381 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
     
  15. Workflowy icon

    Workflowy

     315 likes

    Offers limitless nested lists for outlining, instant sync on web and mobile, real-time collaboration, file and photo uploads, kanban boards, tagging, offline editing, hoisting for branch focus, content sharing, text highlighting, and Dropbox auto-backup.

    362 Workflowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Workflowy screenshot 1
     
12 of 166 Roam Research alternatives