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Notion vs AFFiNE
Notion vs AFFiNE
A side-by-side look at Notion (the paid SaaS) and AFFiNE (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Notion | AFFiNE | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | All-in-one workspace for notes, docs and databases. | Open source canvas-meets-docs workspace. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MPL-2.0 |
| Pricing | Free tier; paid from $10/user/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 | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
When you want Notion plus a whiteboard canvas in one tool.
AFFiNE strengths
- Whiteboard + docs + databases in a single surface.
- Clean UI, local-first architecture.
- Active roadmap with frequent releases.
AFFiNE weaknesses
- Mobile app is still in development.
- Some instability during rapid iteration.
- Smaller community than Obsidian or AppFlowy.
What's the catch with Notion?
- Data lives on someone else's server; sensitive notes feel exposed.
- Slow on large workspaces and offline support is limited.
- Export options for full workspaces are clunky.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Notion: see Notion alternatives, or learn more about AFFiNE on its project page.