AppBreakup
Submit an app
Heptabase logo

Heptabase

A visual knowledge base that puts note cards on whiteboards to help you research and learn.

PaidNote-taking apps
Visit HeptabaseSee 6 alternatives
Verified facts
4 of 4
Alternatives ranked
6
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About Heptabase

Heptabase is a note-taking app for research and learning that puts cards on infinite whiteboards. You write notes as cards, place them on boards next to PDFs, web clips, videos and highlights, and draw connections between them, so a topic can be laid out spatially before you turn it into writing. The same card can appear on several boards, and there are journals, bi-directional links, tags with properties, a block-based editor and an AI assistant that can explain sources and help organise notes. It integrates with Readwise and Zotero, works offline, and runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. Heptabase has no free plan beyond a seven-day trial; paid tiers differ mainly in AI credits. The drawbacks are that subscription, a cloud-based store rather than local files, and limited team features. It suits students, researchers and writers who think visually and work with lots of sources.

Best for: Researchers and students who like to map ideas visually alongside their sources.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Whiteboards and cards make complex topics easier to see
  • PDF annotation, Readwise and Zotero integration
  • Fast search and offline access
  • Apps on desktop and mobile

Why people leave

  • No free plan, only a 7-day trial
  • Not stored as plain local files
  • Limited collaboration features

Top Heptabase alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1Obsidian logo
    Obsidian

    Free local notes with a Canvas view for visual thinking.

    80.3
  2. 2AFFiNE logo
    AFFiNE

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

    74.6
  3. 3Capacities logo
    Capacities

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

    72.2
  4. 4Logseq logo
    Logseq

    Free and open source, with whiteboards and PDF annotation.

    63.9
  5. 5RemNote logo
    RemNote

    For learners who want flashcards and spaced repetition alongside notes.

    55.3

Why people left Heptabase

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

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Heptabase, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of Heptabase
Your rating of Heptabase

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

Heptabase: common questions

Is Heptabase free?

No, Heptabase is a paid product. Starting price: $8.99 per month (checked on Heptabase's own site).

Is Heptabase open source?

No, Heptabase is not open source. Open-source alternatives include AFFiNE and Logseq.

What platforms does Heptabase run on?

Heptabase is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and Web.

What are the best alternatives to Heptabase?

The highest-ranked Heptabase alternatives right now are Obsidian, AFFiNE and Capacities. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 Heptabase alternatives