AFFiNE

★★★★☆4.2 / 5 editorial Freemium Free to self-host, and the cloud free plan covers small teams. Paid plans from $6.75 per user/mo on annual billing add AI and more storage.

Open-source Notion alternative mixing docs and whiteboards

✓ Editor-verified listing — details reviewed by Grab AI Tool editors; pricing re-checked regularly.

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#open source#docs#whiteboard#knowledge base#collaboration#local first

What is AFFiNE?

AFFiNE is an open-source workspace that fuses documents and infinite whiteboards: write in doc mode, then flip the same content into edgeless mode to sketch, arrange and present it spatially. Blocks, databases and real-time collaboration cover the Notion-shaped basics, while local-first storage and self-hosting keep your data under your control - rare in this category.

An AI assistant helps write, summarize and brainstorm inside pages, and the desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux are first-class. Being open source, AFFiNE develops in public with an active community, though polish and mobile apps still trail the commercial giants. For teams that want Notion-like power without handing their knowledge to a closed platform, it is compelling.

Key Features

Docs and whiteboard in one workspace
Open source with self-hosting option
Local-first storage and offline mode
Blocks, databases and real-time collaboration
AI writing and summarizing assistant

Pros

Data ownership via local-first and self-host
Doc-plus-canvas is genuinely distinctive
Free tier and open-source core

Cons

Polish still behind Notion
Mobile apps are the weak spot
AI features need the cloud Pro plan

Pricing

Model: Freemium
Free to self-host, and the cloud free plan covers small teams. Paid plans from $6.75 per user/mo on annual billing add AI and more storage.

Adding Up Your AI Bill?

If you pay for AFFiNE alongside other AI subscriptions, the monthly total adds up quietly. Tick every tool you pay for in our free AI Tool Cost Calculator to see your real monthly and yearly bill — and spot overlaps you can cut. Still choosing? Start with our guide on how to choose the right AI tool.