AppBreakup
Submit an app

Heptabase alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Heptabase: no free plan, only a 7-day trial, and not stored as plain local files. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Heptabase, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Obsidian currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 380.3
2AFFiNE logoAFFiNEFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 474.6
3Capacities logoCapacitiesFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +35 of 572.2
4Logseq logoLogseqOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +21 of 363.9
5RemNote logoRemNoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 455.3
6Milanote logoMilanoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 452.2
  1. Obsidian logo

    1. ObsidianTop pick

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    80.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    Free local notes with a Canvas view for visual thinking.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  2. AFFiNE logo

    2. AFFiNE

    Best for: People who want Notion-style docs and a whiteboard in one local-first, self-hostable app

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    74.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    Open-source docs that switch into an edgeless whiteboard, with a free plan.

    Pros

    • Docs and whiteboard views of the same page
    • Local-first, works offline
    • Self-hosting option
    • Free for personal use

    Cons

    • Less mature than Notion, with rough edges
    • Server is source-available rather than fully open source
    • Mobile apps trail the desktop
    Visit AFFiNE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AFFiNE a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Editor licence
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes, source-available backend
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $10 per seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Capacities logo

    3. Capacities

    Best for: Individuals who want a structured personal knowledge base without building it from scratch

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

    72.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    Structured personal knowledge with a free plan, though less visual.

    Pros

    • Generous free plan that is a complete notes app
    • Object types give structure without complex setup
    • Apps on every major platform
    • Hosted in Europe

    Cons

    • Cloud-based, not local Markdown files
    • Little support for team collaboration
    • Object model takes time to learn
    Visit Capacities Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Capacities a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, free forever
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $9.99 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Data location
    Europe
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Active users
    50,000+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Logseq logo

    4. Logseq

    Best for: Outliner thinkers who want local, open-source notes with backlinks

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    63.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    Free and open source, with whiteboards and PDF annotation.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Local Markdown or Org files
    • Strong backlinks and block references

    Cons

    • Outliner-only structure isn't for everyone
    • Mobile apps feel less polished
    Visit Logseq Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Logseq a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown/Org files
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. RemNote logo

    5. RemNote

    Best for: Students who want to write notes and study them as flashcards in one app

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    For learners who want flashcards and spaced repetition alongside notes.

    Pros

    • Flashcards created straight from notes
    • Spaced repetition and exam scheduling built in
    • Free plan with unlimited notes and cards
    • Works offline on desktop and mobile

    Cons

    • Busy interface with a learning curve
    • PDF and AI features are capped on the free plan
    • Less suited to general work notes
    Visit RemNote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RemNote a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $8 per month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2020, at MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Milanote logo

    6. Milanote

    Best for: Creative professionals building moodboards, storyboards and project plans

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Heptabase

    Visual boards for creative projects, with a free tier.

    Pros

    • Nested boards suit creative project organisation
    • Web clipper and rich media cards
    • Free plan with no time limit

    Cons

    • Free plan caps notes and file uploads
    • Not built for live workshops or voting
    • Weak for technical diagrams
    Visit Milanote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Milanote a good Heptabase alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    100 notes, images or links; 10 uploads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026milanote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Individual price
    $9.99/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026milanote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team price
    $49/month for up to 10 people
    Checked Oct 25, 2026milanote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps
    Mobile, iPad, desktop, web clipper
    Checked Oct 25, 2026milanote.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Heptabase alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Obsidian logo

Best Heptabase alternative for most people

Obsidian

Free local notes with a Canvas view for visual thinking.

Logseq logo

Best Heptabase alternative for a free option

Logseq

Free and open source, with whiteboards and PDF annotation.

AFFiNE logo

Best Heptabase alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

AFFiNE

Open-source docs that switch into an edgeless whiteboard, with a free plan.

AFFiNE logo

Best Heptabase alternative for open source

AFFiNE

Open-source docs that switch into an edgeless whiteboard, with a free plan.

AFFiNE logo

Best Heptabase alternative for self-hosting

AFFiNE

Open-source docs that switch into an edgeless whiteboard, with a free plan.

Capacities logo

Best Heptabase alternative for Mac

Capacities

Structured personal knowledge with a free plan, though less visual.

RemNote logo

Best Heptabase alternative for Windows

RemNote

For learners who want flashcards and spaced repetition alongside notes.

Obsidian logo

Best Heptabase alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Free local notes with a Canvas view for visual thinking.

Milanote logo

Best Heptabase alternative for iPhone and Android

Milanote

Visual boards for creative projects, with a free tier.

AFFiNE logo

Best Heptabase alternative for working in the browser

AFFiNE

Open-source docs that switch into an edgeless whiteboard, with a free plan.

Heptabase alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Heptabase?

Obsidian ranks first right now. Free local notes with a Canvas view for visual thinking. AFFiNE and Capacities follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Heptabase?

Yes. Obsidian (free plan + paid), AFFiNE (free plan + paid), Capacities (free plan + paid) and Logseq (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Heptabase?

Yes: AFFiNE and Logseq. AFFiNE can also be self-hosted.

Which Heptabase alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, AFFiNE, Capacities, Logseq and RemNote run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Heptabase?

The complaints we hear most: no free plan, only a 7-day trial; not stored as plain local files; limited collaboration features.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Heptabase, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.