Top 3 Open Source Notion Alternatives in 2025: AppFlowy, Focalboard, and AFFiNE

Imagine this: You’re deep into a project, your Notion workspace is buzzing with notes, tasks, and team updates—everything neatly organized, just the way you like it. But then, a thought hits you: "What if I want more control? What if I don’t want my data locked away in someone else’s cloud?"

That’s the moment you realize you’re ready for something better. Something that gives you the same flexibility and power as Notion—but with full ownership, complete privacy, and zero vendor lock-in. That’s the promise of open-source alternatives. They’re not just tools; they’re your tools, built for you, by you.

In this blog, we’ll cover the Top 3 Open Source Notion Alternatives in 2025 — AppFlowy, Focalboard, and AFFiNE — breaking down their features, usability, and why they’re the best choices for teams and individuals looking for freedom beyond Notion.

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1. AppFlowy

AppFlowy is often considered the closest open-source match to Notion. Built with Rust and Flutter, it’s lightweight, fast, and privacy-first.

Key Features:

• Notion-like editing and block-based workspace

• Works offline-first with sync options

• Extensible with plugins and integrations

• Community-driven development

  
  

Best For: Users who want a true Notion replacement with familiar workflows and better control over their data.

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2. Focalboard

Developed by the team behind Mattermost, Focalboard is more project-management oriented while still offering note-taking and documentation capabilities.

Key Features:

• Kanban boards, table views, and calendar support

• Self-hosted option for complete data ownership

• Designed for team collaboration and task tracking

• Lightweight and runs cross-platform

  
  

Best For: Teams that need Trello + Notion-style functionality in one open-source tool.

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3. AFFiNE

AFFiNE is a next-generation open-source workspace that combines Notion, Miro, and Whiteboard-like collaboration into one platform.

Key Features:

• Real-time collaboration with multiplayer editing

• Powerful knowledge graph to link ideas

• Canvas + document hybrid editing experience

• Offline-first with sync options

  
  

Best For: Creative teams, startups, and individuals who want flexible brainstorming + structured docs in one tool.

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Final Thoughts

While Notion remains a popular choice, these open-source alternatives—AppFlowy, Focalboard, and AFFiNE—offer freedom, flexibility, and privacy that closed SaaS tools often can’t. Whether you’re looking for a Notion clone (AppFlowy), a project management powerhouse (Focalboard), or an all-in-one creative hub (AFFiNE), 2025 is the perfect time to explore these options.

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🛠️ Want to Deploy AppFlowy, Focalboard, or AFFiNE Without the Hassle?

That’s where House of FOSS steps in.

At House of FOSS, we make open-source tools like AppFlowy, Focalboard, and AFFiNE plug-and-play for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're building collaborative workspaces, project management systems, or creative knowledge hubs, we help you deploy, scale, and manage these tools with zero friction.

✅ Why Choose House of FOSS?

• 🧩 Custom Setup – We tailor each tool to your exact needs.

• 🕒 24/7 Support – We’re here when you need us.

• 💰 Save up to 60% – Cut SaaS costs, not performance.

• 🛠️ Fully Managed – We handle security, scaling, and updates.

  
  

⚡ Bonus: With House of FOSS, deploying these tools is as easy as installing an app on your phone. No configs. No setup stress. Just click, install, and start collaborating.

👉 Book your free consultation today and take control of your productivity stack.