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AFFiNE

An open-source workspace that mixes docs, whiteboards and databases, local-first or self-hosted.

Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableNote-taking apps
Visit AFFiNESee 6 alternatives
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About AFFiNE

AFFiNE is an open-source workspace that combines Notion-style documents and databases with a Miro-style canvas. Any page can switch between a document view and an edgeless whiteboard, so notes, sticky notes, mind maps and drawings live together. It is local-first: the desktop apps work offline with workspaces stored on your device, and you can add cloud sync for collaboration or run the backend on your own server. The editor is MIT licensed while the server is source-available. Personal use is free, with paid Pro and Team plans adding more cloud storage, members and history, and AFFiNE AI sold as an add-on. It runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and the web. The trade-offs are some rough edges and missing features compared with Notion, mobile apps that lag the desktop, and a licence split that is less permissive than it first looks. It suits people who want Notion and a whiteboard without handing everything to a cloud.

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

Pros and cons

What works

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

Why people leave

  • Less mature than Notion, with rough edges
  • Server is source-available rather than fully open source
  • Mobile apps trail the desktop

Top AFFiNE alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1Anytype logo
    Anytype

    Local-first and encrypted, with peer-to-peer sync and object types.

    73.3
  2. 2AppFlowy logo
    AppFlowy

    Another open-source Notion alternative, with stronger self-hosted team features.

    72.1
  3. 3Notion logo
    Notion

    More mature databases, templates and integrations, as a hosted service.

    71.2
  4. 4Heptabase logo
    Heptabase

    Cards on whiteboards for research, as a polished paid app.

    55.3
  5. 5Excalidraw logo
    Excalidraw

    If you mainly need a simple, open-source whiteboard.

    48.9

Why people left AFFiNE

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Reviews

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AFFiNE: common questions

Is AFFiNE free?

AFFiNE has a free plan and paid plans.

Is AFFiNE open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at toeverything/AFFiNE. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does AFFiNE run on?

AFFiNE is available for Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Self-hosted.

What are the best alternatives to AFFiNE?

The highest-ranked AFFiNE alternatives right now are Anytype, AppFlowy and Notion. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 AFFiNE alternatives