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Notion alternatives: 16 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Notion: needs an internet connection for most work, and large workspaces can feel slow. We ranked 16 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Notion, 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
2Anytype logoAnytypeFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 376.3
3Logseq logoLogseqOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +21 of 369.8
4ClickUp logoClickUpFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 366.2
5Microsoft OneNote logoMicrosoft OneNoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 365.5
6Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 363.9
7Craft logoCraftFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +24 of 455.0
8Capacities logoCapacitiesFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +35 of 555.0
9AFFiNE logoAFFiNEFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 455.0
10AppFlowy logoAppFlowyOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 455.0
11Google Docs logoGoogle DocsFreeNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 453.6
12Confluence logoConfluenceFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 453.6
13Airtable logoAirtableFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 438.6
  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 Notion

    Local Markdown files you own and offline use, instead of a cloud-only workspace.

    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 Compare with NotionDetails 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 Notion 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. Anytype logo

    2. Anytype

    Best for: A private, offline-capable alternative to Notion

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

    76.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Similar objects-and-views structure, but local-first with end-to-end encryption.

    Pros

    • Local-first with end-to-end encryption
    • Notion-like objects and views
    • Works offline

    Cons

    • Source-available, not OSI open source
    • Smaller template and integration ecosystem
    Visit Anytype Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Anytype a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Encryption
    End-to-end
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Local-first
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes
    Not checked yetanytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Logseq logo

    3. Logseq

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

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    69.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Free, open-source outliner with backlinks if you mainly use Notion for notes.

    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 ×0.377
    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 Notion 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)
  4. ClickUp logo

    4. ClickUp

    Best for: Teams consolidating tasks, docs and chat into one app

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

    66.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Combines docs with stronger task and project management for teams.

    Pros

    • Huge feature set
    • Many views and custom fields
    • Generous free plan

    Cons

    • Overwhelming to set up
    • Performance can lag in big workspaces
    Visit ClickUp Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is ClickUp a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026clickup.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docs and whiteboards
    Included
    Checked Oct 24, 2026clickup.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, desktop, mobile
    Checked Oct 24, 2026clickup.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Microsoft OneNote logo

    5. Microsoft OneNote

    Best for: Handwritten and free-form notes inside the Microsoft ecosystem

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    65.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Free with a Microsoft account if you only need notebooks, not databases.

    Pros

    • Free with a Microsoft account
    • Great pen and handwriting support
    • Tight Microsoft 365 integration

    Cons

    • Notebook structure can get messy
    • Exporting to other apps is awkward
    Visit Microsoft OneNote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Microsoft OneNote a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free with a Microsoft account
    Checked Oct 24, 2026onenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Through OneDrive
    Not checked yetonenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Not checked yetonenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Joplin logo

    6. Joplin

    Best for: Leaving Evernote for an open-source app with encrypted sync

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    63.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Open-source notes with encrypted sync to storage you choose.

    Pros

    • Open source with end-to-end encryption
    • Sync with your own storage
    • Imports Evernote exports

    Cons

    • Interface is plainer than commercial apps
    • Collaboration features are basic
    Visit Joplin 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 Joplin a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  7. Craft logo

    7. Craft

    Best for: People who want beautiful, shareable documents and notes, especially on Apple devices

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

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    More polished documents and native apps for individuals and small teams.

    Pros

    • Very polished native apps
    • Easy publishing of documents as web pages
    • API and MCP access for automation
    • Free plan includes every feature up to a content limit

    Cons

    • Free plan caps you at 1,500 blocks
    • Proprietary format and cloud storage
    • Lighter team and database features than Notion
    Visit Craft Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    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 Craft a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Up to 1,500 blocks
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    API and MCP access
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    Award
    Mac App of the Year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    Security
    SOC 2 certified
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
  8. Capacities logo

    8. Capacities

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

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

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    A calmer personal knowledge base with typed objects and a generous free plan.

    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 ×0.312
    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 Notion 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)
  9. AFFiNE logo

    9. 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

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Open-source docs and databases plus a whiteboard, local-first and self-hostable.

    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 ×0.312
    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 Notion 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)
  10. AppFlowy logo

    10. AppFlowy

    Best for: Teams and individuals who want Notion-style docs and databases on their own servers

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    55.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Open-source Notion-style pages and databases you can run on your own servers.

    Pros

    • Open source and self-hostable, even air-gapped
    • Databases with grid, board and calendar views
    • Can use self-hosted AI models
    • Free personal plan

    Cons

    • Fewer integrations and templates than Notion
    • AGPL licence can be a hurdle for some companies
    • Sync and collaboration still less polished
    Visit AppFlowy Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    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 AppFlowy a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $12 per member/month, billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026appflowy.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026appflowy.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes, including air-gapped
    Checked Oct 25, 2026appflowy.com(opens source in a new tab)
  11. Google Docs logo

    11. Google Docs

    Best for: Groups that write together and want sharing and comments to just work

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Simpler, free document editing for people who just need shared docs, not databases.

    Pros

    • Best-in-class real-time co-editing, comments and suggestion mode
    • Free with any Google account, nothing to install
    • Complete version history of every change

    Cons

    • Limited page-layout control for print-ready documents
    • Complex .docx files can lose formatting on import
    • Offline editing needs Chrome or Edge and setup in advance
    Visit Google Docs Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Google Docs a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Anyone with a Google account
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Word import
    Yes, plus PDF
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline browsers
    Chrome and Edge
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  12. Confluence logo

    12. Confluence

    Best for: Companies already on Jira that want a structured, permissioned wiki next to their issue tracker

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    More structured spaces and permissions, with deep Jira integration for engineering teams.

    Pros

    • Deep two-way integration with Jira
    • Large Marketplace of apps and macros
    • Space and page permissions suit big organisations
    • Free tier for small teams

    Cons

    • Editor and navigation feel heavy in large instances
    • Search quality drops as content grows
    • Self-managed Data Center edition is being retired
    Visit Confluence Compare with NotionDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Confluence a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Up to 10 users
    Checked Oct 25, 2026atlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI
    Rovo, Atlassian's AI assistant
    Checked Oct 25, 2026atlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data Center end of support
    March 28, 2029
    Checked Oct 25, 2026atlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Templates
    Ready-made templates, from PRDs to marketing plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026atlassian.com(opens source in a new tab)
  13. Airtable logo

    13. Airtable

    Best for: Non-technical teams that want a flexible shared database with a large template and integration ecosystem

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

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Notion

    Stronger relational databases and automations when Notion databases hit their limits.

    Pros

    • Easy to learn for anyone comfortable with spreadsheets
    • Linked records, rollups and many views make real relational setups possible
    • Interfaces let you give colleagues tailored screens instead of raw tables
    • Large ecosystem of templates, integrations and community answers

    Cons

    • Per-seat pricing gets expensive as more people need edit access
    • Record and automation limits per base can force workarounds
    • No self-hosting option, so data lives only in Airtable's cloud
    Visit Airtable Compare with NotionDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Airtable a good Notion alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $20 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $45 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing basis
    Per seat
    Checked Oct 25, 2026airtable.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Notion alternative for…

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

Obsidian logo

Best Notion alternative for most people

Obsidian

Local Markdown files you own and offline use, instead of a cloud-only workspace.

Logseq logo

Best Notion alternative for a free option

Logseq

Free, open-source outliner with backlinks if you mainly use Notion for notes.

Anytype logo

Best Notion alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Anytype

Similar objects-and-views structure, but local-first with end-to-end encryption.

Joplin logo

Best Notion alternative for open source

Joplin

Open-source notes with encrypted sync to storage you choose.

AFFiNE logo

Best Notion alternative for self-hosting

AFFiNE

Open-source docs and databases plus a whiteboard, local-first and self-hostable.

ClickUp logo

Best Notion alternative for Mac

ClickUp

Combines docs with stronger task and project management for teams.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Notion alternative for Windows

Microsoft OneNote

Free with a Microsoft account if you only need notebooks, not databases.

Capacities logo

Best Notion alternative for Linux

Capacities

A calmer personal knowledge base with typed objects and a generous free plan.

Craft logo

Best Notion alternative for iPhone and Android

Craft

More polished documents and native apps for individuals and small teams.

AppFlowy logo

Best Notion alternative for working in the browser

AppFlowy

Open-source Notion-style pages and databases you can run on your own servers.

Notion alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Notion?

Obsidian ranks first right now. Local Markdown files you own and offline use, instead of a cloud-only workspace. Anytype and Logseq follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Notion?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Notion?

Yes: Logseq, Joplin, AFFiNE and AppFlowy, plus 1 more in the list above. Joplin, AFFiNE and AppFlowy can also be self-hosted.

Which Notion alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, Anytype, Logseq, ClickUp and Joplin run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Notion?

The complaints we hear most: needs an internet connection for most work; large workspaces can feel slow.

How is this list ranked?

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