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Evernote vs AppFlowy

A side-by-side look at Evernote (the paid SaaS) and AppFlowy (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

Evernote AppFlowy
Tagline Classic note-taking and web-clipper. Open source alternative to Notion, built in Rust, and Flutter.
License Proprietary SaaS AGPL-3.0
Pricing Free tier (now limited to 50 notes); Personal from $14.99/month. Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan
Self-host option No Yes — difficulty 3/5
Hosted cloud available Yes (only option) Yes
Desktop apps Varies by product Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps Official apps typically available iOS, Android
Ad slot — between tables

Best for

If you actually want more than Evernote offers.

AppFlowy strengths

  • Familiar Notion-style blocks and databases.
  • Local-first desktop app for privacy.
  • Active development and growing plugin ecosystem.

AppFlowy weaknesses

  • Newer project — some Notion features still missing.
  • Real-time collaboration is still maturing.
  • Mobile apps lag behind desktop.

What's the catch with Evernote?

  • Free tier has become heavily restricted.
  • Price increases have frustrated long-time users.
  • Syncing and search performance complaints.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to Evernote: see Evernote alternatives, or learn more about AppFlowy on its project page.

Other comparisons

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Evernote vs Trilium Notes

Power users with decades of notes and complex hierarchies.

Evernote vs Standard Notes

Privacy-focused users who want encrypted notes above all else.

Recommended reading

The real monthly cost of a Notion workspace at scale

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When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them

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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?

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