2
Obsidian
Free for personal use; Sync and Publish are paid add-ons
Notes as plain files on your own device, with plugins for almost anything.
Pick it if you would rather not pay a subscription.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
At a glance
| App | Price | Platforms | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFFiNE (the app you have) | Free local use | Everywhere | - |
| Anytype | Free | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux | you want a close match |
| Obsidian | Free for personal use | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux | you would rather not pay a subscription |
| Capacities | Free plan | Everywhere | you are a student |
| Heptabase | Paid plans from about $9/month | Everywhere | you are a student |
| Supernotes | Starter free | Everywhere | you are a student |
| Reflect Notes | Paid app | Apple | you want AI built in |
| Logseq | Free and open source | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux | you want it free |
| DEVONthink | Standard $99 | Apple | you would rather pay once |
1
Anytype
Free; paid plans for more storage and sharing
Local-first notes and databases, encrypted by default.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
3
Capacities
Free plan; Pro subscription
Notes organised as objects (people, books, ideas) instead of folders.
Pick it if you are a student.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
4
Heptabase
Paid plans from about $9/month
Cards on whiteboards for mapping out and connecting ideas while you research.
Pick it if you are a student.
PaidiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinuxWeb
5
Supernotes
Starter free; Unlimited £6/month or £72/year; 4-year plan 50% offCard-based notes app where you write Markdown notecards, nest and link them, view a graph and collaborate in real time.
Pick it if you are a student.
Free planMacWindowsLinuxiPhoneAndroidWeb
6
Reflect Notes
Paid app
Daily notes and backlinks with an AI assistant, stored on your Mac and iPhone.
Pick it if you want AI built in and you use Apple devices.
PaidiPhoneMac
7
Logseq
Free and open source
An open-source outliner for linked notes and daily journals, kept on your device.
Pick it if you want it free.
FreeiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
8
DEVONthink
Standard $99; Pro $199; Server $499. One-time licences with 1 year of updatesMac document and knowledge manager that stores files in local databases with AI classification, OCR, search and automation.
Pick it if you would rather pay once and you use Apple devices.
Pay onceMaciPhone
We matched these apps to AFFiNE by what they are for, who they suit and where they run, using our research on each app's official website and app store listing. We have not tested them hands-on for this page. Check the price on each app's own site before you buy.