Alternatives to AFFiNE Community
Combine notes, tables and a drawing canvas in a local-first workspace. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
AFFiNE Community
Combine notes, tables and a drawing canvas in a local-first workspace.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as AFFiNE Community.
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining notes, databases, wikis, and task boards.
Notion combines notes, databases, wikis and task boards with real-time collaboration, but it is closed source, freemium, has no Linux app and cannot be self-hosted.
AppFlowy
Organize documents and projects in an open-source workspace.
AppFlowy is open source under AGPL-3.0 with self-hosting options and adds Android and iOS apps, though cloud sync requires extra service setup or an account.
Anytype
An encrypted, offline-first workspace for notes, tasks and databases that syncs peer to peer.
Anytype adds mobile apps and end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer sync with custom object types, but it is source-available rather than open source and still labelled beta.
SiYuan
A block-based notes workspace with Markdown that renders as you type, and an option to self-host it.
SiYuan offers block references, embedded SQL queries and self-hosting through Docker, plus mobile apps, while notes stay in its own store and official sync is a subscription.
Capacities
Object-based note app that organizes ideas as typed, tagged objects.
Capacities organizes notes as typed, tagged objects with native desktop and mobile apps, but it is closed source and advanced features need a paid tier.
Heptabase
Visual note-taking app that organizes research as cards on whiteboards.
Heptabase keeps the visual canvas idea by arranging research as cards on whiteboards, but it requires a paid subscription, is closed source and lacks Linux support.
Craft
Native docs app with real-time collaboration and deep integration into Apple's ecosystem.
Craft is a native Apple docs app with real-time collaboration, so moving there means losing Windows, Linux and self-hosting and paying for premium features.
Also worth comparing
These listings name AFFiNE Community as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Allume
A canvas app for thinking with nested boards of text, ink, images and PDFs, formerly Muse.
AFFiNE combines notes, tables and a drawing canvas in an MIT-licensed, local-first workspace that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and the web, and can be self-hosted.
Daino Notes
A free, local-first desktop note-taking app with a fast block editor and Markdown support.
AFFiNE is an MIT-licensed local-first workspace that adds tables and a drawing canvas to notes, and runs on the web and self-hosted as well as desktop.
Docmost
An open-source, self-hosted wiki for team documentation with real-time collaborative editing.
AFFiNE Community is an MIT self-hostable workspace combining notes, tables and a drawing canvas, with cloud and enterprise offerings under separate terms.
HedgeDoc
Collaborative Markdown editor for notes written together in real time.
AFFiNE Community is MIT-licensed and self-hostable, combining notes, tables and a drawing canvas in a local-first workspace instead of a plain collaborative Markdown document.
Kinopio
A spatial note-taking canvas for collecting cards and connecting ideas, alone or with others.
AFFiNE combines notes, tables and a drawing canvas in an MIT-licensed, local-first workspace with desktop apps and a self-hostable community edition.
Milanote
A visual board tool for arranging notes, images, links and files for creative projects.
AFFiNE is an MIT-licensed, local-first workspace combining notes, tables and a drawing canvas, with desktop apps and a self-hostable edition instead of vendor-hosted boards.
Outline
Team knowledge base with a fast editor and deep integrations.
AFFiNE Community is an MIT-licensed local-first workspace combining notes, tables and a drawing canvas, with desktop apps and a self-hostable community edition.
Scrintal
A visual note-taking web app that places linked notes on boards for research and study.
AFFiNE combines notes, tables and a drawing canvas in a free MIT-licensed local-first workspace with desktop apps and a self-hostable edition.
TriliumNext Notes
A hierarchical note app where one note can live in several places at once, with a server you can host.
AFFiNE Community is an MIT-licensed local-first workspace combining notes, tables and a drawing canvas, with a self-hostable community edition.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
