Open Source Notion Alternatives (Self-Hosted)

These open source Notion alternatives keep your notes and wiki on your own server. Notion charges per member: Plus is listed at $10 and Business at $20 per member per month (Notion pricing, checked 2026-10-26). Compare the picks below and start with the one whose license fits.

Compare the top picks

Looking for a self-hosted Notion alternative? These tools cover team wikis, local-first notes and collaborative docs. We flag source-available licenses (Outline BSL, Anytype, AFFiNE backend) so you know what “open” actually means.

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Quick comparison

NameLicenseLanguageDocker?Last commit
AppFlowyAGPL-3.0Dart / Rust / TypeScriptYes2026-06-26
AFFiNEMIT + AFFiNE backend license (not OSI)TypeScriptYes2026-10-26
OutlineBUSL-1.1 (not OSI)TypeScript / Node.jsYes2026-10-26
DocmostAGPL-3.0TypeScriptYes2026-10-25
BookStackMITPHPYes2026-10-18
Wiki.jsAGPL-3.0JavaScript / TypeScriptYes2026-10-26
LogseqAGPL-3.0ClojureScriptNo / limited2026-10-25
AnytypeAny Source Available License 1.0 (not OSI)TypeScriptNo / limited2026-10-23
Docs (La Suite numérique)MITPythonYes2026-10-26

License, stars and last commit checked against the GitHub API and repo files on 2026-10-26.

Listings

AppFlowy

AI collaborative workspace — open-source Notion alternative with local-first clients

AGPL-3.0 · OSIDart / Rust / TypeScriptDockerHosted option★ 77,784 as of 2026-10-26

Client/Web AGPL-3.0. Self-host server moved to AppFlowy-SelfHost-Commercial (open-core); AppFlowy-Cloud archived.

Pros
  • Strong Notion-like UX and large community
  • Local-first desktop clients with AGPL source
Cons
  • Self-host server is open-core / commercial images
  • Heavier stack than a simple wiki
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-06-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

AFFiNE

Docs + whiteboards in one local-first workspace

MIT + AFFiNE backend license · source-availableTypeScriptDockerHosted option★ 73,863 as of 2026-10-26

Client/editor largely MIT; backend/server under AFFiNE EE (source-available). Self-host free up to ~10 seats/workspace — confirm current terms.

Pros
  • Docs and canvas/whiteboard in one product
  • Docker Compose self-host path
Cons
  • Backend is source-available EE, not full OSI OSS
  • Seat limits on free self-host
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Outline

Fast, realtime team wiki and knowledge base

BUSL-1.1 · source-availableTypeScript / Node.jsDockerHosted option★ 41,071 as of 2026-10-26

Business Source License 1.1 — source-available, not OSI open source. Internal self-host OK; commercial Document Service restricted.

Pros
  • Polished realtime editing and Slack/GitHub integrations
  • Mature Docker self-host docs
Cons
  • BSL — not OSI open source
  • Paid on-prem tiers for advanced features
WebsiteSource

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Docmost

Open-source collaborative wiki alternative to Notion and Confluence

AGPL-3.0 · OSITypeScriptDockerHosted option★ 22,102 as of 2026-10-26

Core AGPL-3.0; Business/Enterprise features under commercial EE license.

Pros
  • Realtime collab with OSI-licensed core
  • Spaces, permissions, diagrams built in
Cons
  • Younger than Outline/BookStack
  • EE features require paid license
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-25 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

BookStack

Simple, opinionated wiki organized as books, chapters, and pages

MIT · OSIPHPDocker★ 19,100 as of 2026-10-26

Primary repo on Codeberg; GitHub BookStackApp/BookStack is a mirror.

Pros
  • True MIT OSI license, batteries-included
  • Easy for non-technical editors
Cons
  • Less Notion-database-like than AppFlowy/AFFiNE
  • No official managed cloud from the project
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-18 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Wiki.js

Modern, extensible wiki powered by Node.js

AGPL-3.0 · OSIJavaScript / TypeScriptDocker★ 29,093 as of 2026-10-26

GitHub shows AGPL-3.0. v3 beta on requarks/wiki; stable v2 on requarks/wiki-v2 — confirm which branch you deploy.

Pros
  • Markdown + rich editor, many storage backends
  • Active self-host community
Cons
  • v2 vs v3 branch choice can confuse deployers
  • Admin surface is more complex than BookStack
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Logseq

Local-first outliner and knowledge graph for personal notes

AGPL-3.0 · OSIClojureScriptHosted option★ 45,386 as of 2026-10-26

Desktop/local-first; team sync self-host is a different concern than a multi-user wiki.

Pros
  • Excellent local-first / privacy model
  • Graph + outline workflow many Notion refugees want
Cons
  • Not a drop-in multi-user team wiki
  • Self-host sync is not the primary product path
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-25 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Anytype

Local-first, encrypted objects workspace (Notion-like)

Any Source Available License 1.0 · source-availableNot OSI OSSTypeScript★ 9,004 as of 2026-10-26

Verified 2026-10-26: anytype-ts LICENSE.md is Any Source Available License 1.0 (non-commercial use, or commercial use in allowed networks). Not OSI open source. Sync protocol repo anyproto/any-sync is MIT.

Pros
  • Strong local-first / E2E privacy story
  • Object model similar to Notion databases
Cons
  • Source-available clients — not OSI OSS
  • Self-host story differs from classic Docker wiki apps
WebsiteSource

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-23 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Docs (La Suite numérique)

Collaborative block-based note and document editor

MIT · OSIPythonDocker★ 16,948 as of 2026-10-26

MIT per GitHub license metadata. README warns some advanced features (e.g. PDF export) use GPL-licensed BlockNote XL packages; you can build without them.

Pros
  • Real-time collaboration on a modern editor
  • Docker Compose and Kubernetes guides
Cons
  • Not a Word/Excel-compatible office suite
  • Some export features rely on GPL add-on packages
WebsiteSourceDeploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

How to choose

FAQ

Is Outline open source?

Outline uses the Business Source License 1.1. You can self-host it, but you may not offer it as a commercial “Document Service”, and BSL is not an OSI-approved open-source license.

Why is Anytype included if it is not OSI open source?

It is a common Notion-alternative search result. Its desktop client (anytype-ts) uses the Any Source Available License 1.0, which limits commercial use; the any-sync protocol repo is MIT. We flag it so you do not confuse it with MIT/AGPL projects.

Do you earn money from these links?

Only from the “Deploy on RepoCloud” buttons, which are RepoCloud affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Website and Source links go straight to each project and earn nothing.

“Deploy on RepoCloud” buttons appear only where RepoCloud has a page for that app (7 of 9 listings here). “Website” and “Source” links are not affiliate links.

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