AppFlowy

Open SourceAGPL-3.0Self-hostable

The open-source, local-first workspace for docs, wikis and projects — a privacy-first Notion you actually own.

Open source alternative to

Notion

Coda

Confluence

Evernote

Visit AppFlowy View source

appflowy.io

AppFlowy homepage — open-source, local-first workspace for docs, wikis and project boards

About AppFlowy

AppFlowy is what you reach for when you love what Notion does but not where your data lives. It bundles documents, wikis, databases and project boards into a single app that runs natively on your machine — and keeps your notes on your machine by default.

Because it is AGPL-licensed and self-hostable, there is no per-seat pricing creeping up as your team grows and no vendor that can lock you out of your own knowledge base. You can audit the code, run it offline, and host the optional sync layer yourself.

It is built in Flutter and Rust rather than a browser shell, so the desktop and mobile apps feel fast and native instead of like a website in a window. For teams that want Notion's shape with an owner-operated foundation, AppFlowy has become the default open answer.

Key features

Local-first by default — Your pages live on your device and work fully offline. Optional self-hosted sync keeps the data yours end to end.
One app, many views — Docs, wikis, kanban boards, grids and calendars share one data model — no bouncing between disconnected tools.
AI you control — Bring your own model or run one locally. Summarize, draft and ask questions without shipping your notes to a third party.
Native on every platform — Written in Flutter and Rust for real desktop speed on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.

The honest read

What we like

Genuinely local-first — works offline with data stored on-device
One app replaces separate docs, wiki and project-board tools
AGPL-licensed and self-hostable — no per-seat lock-in
Fast native apps across desktop and mobile, not a web wrapper
Large, fast-moving community and frequent releases

Worth knowing

Real-time collaboration is still maturing next to Notion
Self-hosted cloud sync takes setup vs a hosted SaaS
Smaller template and third-party integration ecosystem
A few advanced database features are still in progress

FAQ

Is AppFlowy really free?

Yes. AppFlowy is open source under AGPL-3.0 and free to download and use, including self-hosting. There is an optional paid AppFlowy Cloud if you would rather not run sync yourself.

Is AppFlowy a true Notion alternative?

For the core workflow — docs, wikis, databases and boards in one workspace — yes. The biggest gaps are real-time collaboration polish and the size of the template and integration ecosystem.

Where is my data stored?

Locally on your device by default. If you want sync across devices or teammates you can self-host AppFlowy Cloud or use the hosted option — either way the data stays under your control.

Can I self-host AppFlowy for my team?

Yes. AppFlowy Cloud can be self-hosted with Docker, giving your team shared workspaces without sending data to a third-party SaaS.

What is AppFlowy built with?

The apps are built in Flutter for the UI and Rust for the core engine, with SQLite for local storage — which is why the desktop and mobile builds feel native rather than like a web app.