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Alternatives

The best DEVONthink alternatives

Mac document and knowledge manager that stores files in local databases with AI classification, OCR, search and automation. If it is not working for you, here are 8 apps that do the same job, closest match first.

Built from official pricing pages and app store listings, prices checked 2026-11-01. Not paid to be here.

At a glance

AppPricePlatformsPick it if
DEVONthink (the app you have)Standard $99Apple-
Readwise ReaderAbout $10/month billed yearly, or $13/monthEverywhereyou need it on Android, Windows and the web
RemNoteFree planEverywhereyou want a free plan to start
RecallFree planiPhone, Android, Webyou want a free plan to start
ObsidianFree for personal useiPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linuxyou want a free plan to start
AnytypeFreeiPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linuxyou want a free plan to start
AFFiNEFree local useEverywhereyou want a free plan to start
LogseqFree and open sourceiPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linuxyou want it free
PDF ExpertYearly $79.99 billed annuallyAppleyou want a free plan to start
1

Readwise Reader

About $10/month billed yearly, or $13/month
Readwise Reader screenshot 1

A read-it-later app for articles, PDFs, ebooks and feeds, with highlights that sync.

Pick it if you need it on Android, Windows and the web and you are a student.

PaidiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
2

RemNote

Free plan; Pro about $8/month
RemNote screenshot 1

Notes that turn into flashcards, with spaced repetition to help you revise.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start, you need it on Android, Windows and Linux and you are a student.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinuxWeb
3

Recall

Free plan; Plus about $10/month billed yearly
Recall screenshot 1

Saves articles, videos and podcasts, then summarises them with AI so you remember.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start, you need it on Android and the web and you want AI built in.

Free planiPhoneAndroidWeb
4

Obsidian

Free for personal use; Sync and Publish are paid add-ons
Obsidian screenshot 1

Notes as plain files on your own device, with plugins for almost anything.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start, you need it on Android, Windows and Linux and you need it to work offline.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
5

Anytype

Free; paid plans for more storage and sharing
Anytype screenshot 1

Local-first notes and databases, encrypted by default.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start, you need it on Android, Windows and Linux and you need it to work offline.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
6

AFFiNE

Free local use; Pro about $7/month; one-time Believer plan
AFFiNE screenshot 1

Docs, databases and whiteboards in one open-source, local-first workspace.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start, you need it on Android, Windows and Linux and you want open source.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinuxWeb
7

Logseq

Free and open source
Logseq screenshot 1

An open-source outliner for linked notes and daily journals, kept on your device.

Pick it if you want it free, you need it on Android, Windows and Linux and you want open source.

FreeiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
8

PDF Expert

Yearly $79.99 billed annually; Lifetime $139.99 one-time. 30-day money-back guarantee

Readdle's PDF editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad to read, annotate, edit, sign and convert PDFs.

Pick it if you want a free plan to start and you run a small business.

Free planMaciPhone

We matched these apps to DEVONthink 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.

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