Notion is a great note-taking app, but it's more than that. It also excels in task and project management features, collaboration tools, and even AI integration. The problem with all-in-one apps, however, is that it takes a long time to get used to. That complexity is also one of the reasons why many people have switched from Notion to Obsidian and have never looked back.
While Obsidian is great for workflow, it doesn't have the same database and project capabilities that Notion does. This is the gap that AppFlowy is trying to fill: An open-source tool that provides Notion's core functionality without the steep learning curve or the plethora of features.
Feels like Notion
But it doesn't take long to get used to.
AppFlowy borrows the best ideas from Notion. You get the same block-based editing, where everything, including text, tables, and lists, acts as a movable piece. Pages nest inside each other to create a hierarchical organization. The database supports multiple views, such as tables and Kanban boards. If you've used Notion before, AppFlowy's interface will feel familiar, and that's the point.
The great thing about AppFlowy is that it skips a lot of the stuff that made Notion initially confusing. You don't have to mess with complicated formulas or long lists of database properties you don't understand. It still gives you tables, calendars, and even timelines, but the options are much simpler. You don't get stuck choosing between dozens of templates before you can get started.
Fully offline access
Local priority method
Notion operates primarily as a cloud service. Your notes are stored on their servers, which allows for easy syncing, but also means you're dependent on an internet connection and have to trust Notion with your data. With the latest update, Notion has an offline mode, but you have to manually download each page to access it offline, which is a bit inconvenient.
AppFlowy is a local-first platform, meaning all data is saved on your device first, making it easy to access notes, databases, and pages without the need for the Internet .
Powerful collaboration features
Not as complete as Notion, but still works effectively
AppFlowy also offers real-time collaboration. You can share pages or workspaces, see live edits, invite guest editors, and set pages to Can View or Can Edit . However, advanced features like granular permissions, page analytics, or a sophisticated commenting system are yet to be released.
For personal projects or small team coordination, AppFlowy's collaboration features work well.
Open source and self-hosted
Full control of your data
Notion stores everything on its servers. While data is encrypted at rest and in transit, Notion does not support end-to-end encryption.
AppFlowy's open source nature allows researchers to examine the code, verify security claims, or modify the software to meet specific needs. More importantly, you can host the entire system yourself, keeping your workspace on servers you control. Setting up self-hosting will require some expertise, but once configured, you'll be in control of how your data is stored and processed.
Generous free package
More generous than Notion for individuals
AppFlowy offers a free plan that works better than Notion. It has unlimited workspaces and pages, and 5GB of storage. While 5GB isn't a lot, you can work with large files without any user limits. Collaboration is limited to two people on the free plan. However, unlike AppFlowy, Notion doesn't offer self-hosting, which eliminates all limitations since you're using your own server space.
A great alternative to Notion, without the bloat
AppFlowy is the result of taking the core ideas of Notion and building a visually impressive UI on top of them. It won't satisfy power users who need Notion's advanced features, extensive integrations, or full team collaboration capabilities. The ecosystem is still smaller, with fewer templates and community resources.
However, for those who are overwhelmed by Notion's complexity, AppFlowy is a great alternative. It offers all the core experiences, like flexible note-taking, simple databases, and basic collaboration, without all the extra bells and whistles.