Alternatives / Logseq
Looking for an open source Logseq alternative? We compared 16 open source note-taking apps, knowledge bases, and wikis by license, local-first storage, linking, sync, and self-hosting. They range from outliners and personal knowledge systems to team wikis.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| AppFlowy | Notes, databases, and AI with data ownership | AGPL-3.0 app / infrastructure terms vary |
| Joplin | Encrypted multi-platform notes | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| SiYuan | Block references and flashcards | AGPL-3.0 |
| Docmost | Self-hosted team wiki | AGPL-3.0 core |
| Tolaria | Markdown files with Git | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Notesnook | Zero-knowledge encrypted notes | GPL-3.0 |
| Blinko | AI card notes | GPL-3.0 |
| Anytype | Local-first object workspace | Any Source Available License 1.0 |
| SilverBullet | Programmable Markdown knowledge base | MIT |
| Macro Docs | Collaborative Markdown documents | AGPL-3.0 |
| XWiki | Enterprise wiki | LGPL-2.1-or-later |
| Beaver Notes | Offline-first private notes | MIT |
| Darkwrite | Simple offline writing | AGPL-3.0 |
| OpenNotas | Encrypted cross-platform notes | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Justnote | Private synced notes | GPL-2.0 |
| Orgnise | Project management next to notes | AGPL-3.0 |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with Logseq's core: local or self-hosted notes, linking, knowledge organization, and ownership of your data. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and sync or self-hosting options in its GitHub repository. Logseq is an outliner with bidirectional links, so few projects match it exactly; we group the list into personal knowledge tools, privacy-focused note apps, and team wikis. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Anytype is source available under the Any Source Available License 1.0, not standard open source. AppFlowy and Docmost are AGPL-3.0 with commercial or enterprise terms around hosted and enterprise features, and Notesnook splits GPL-3.0 clients from an AGPL-3.0 sync server. Joplin, SiYuan, Tolaria, Blinko, Darkwrite, OpenNotas, and Macro Docs are open source, and SilverBullet and Beaver Notes are MIT.
SiYuan is the nearest personal knowledge system, with block-level references, bidirectional links, databases, and spaced repetition. SilverBullet turns Markdown into a queryable, scriptable knowledge base with wiki-style links and Lua. Tolaria and Beaver Notes keep plain Markdown-style files or local storage, and AppFlowy and Anytype offer block-based workspaces with databases and graph views.
Notesnook uses zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, Joplin offers end-to-end encryption and sync through Joplin Cloud or your own storage, and OpenNotas and Justnote focus on encrypted sync. Anytype syncs peer to peer, and Beaver Notes and Darkwrite are offline-first.
Docmost and XWiki are team wikis with permissions, real-time collaboration, and SSO, and Macro Docs adds real-time Markdown editing with task and email integration. AppFlowy supports collaboration and self-hosting. Orgnise is a project management platform rather than a notes app.
Orgnise has had no commits since July 2025 and Justnote since February 2026, and OpenNotas, Darkwrite, and Justnote are small projects, so check that they fit before committing to them. Joplin, SiYuan, AppFlowy, Docmost, Notesnook, Anytype, and SilverBullet were updated within weeks of this update.
Logseq is a local-first outliner built around daily journals, bidirectional links, and block references. People look for alternatives for a more polished editor, better mobile apps, reliable sync, end-to-end encryption, real-time collaboration, or a team wiki. The right choice depends on whether you want an outliner-like personal knowledge system, simple private notes, or a shared workspace.
| Alternative | Type | License | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macro Docs | Collaborative docs | AGPL-3.0 | Self-hosted | Teams with tasks and email |
| AppFlowy | Workspace | AGPL-3.0 | Local or self-hosted | Notes, databases, AI |
| Joplin | Notes | AGPL-3.0-or-later | Local with sync | Encrypted notes |
| SiYuan | Knowledge management | AGPL-3.0 | Local or Docker | Block references |
| Tolaria | Markdown notes | AGPL-3.0 | Local files + Git | Writers and engineers |
| Docmost | Team wiki | AGPL-3.0 core | Self-hosted | Regulated teams |
| Notesnook | Encrypted notes | GPL-3.0 / AGPL-3.0 | Sync server | Privacy-first users |
| Blinko | AI card notes | GPL-3.0 | Self-hosted | Capturing ideas |
| Anytype | Object workspace | Source available | Peer to peer | Local-first workspace |
| SilverBullet | Knowledge base | MIT | Self-hosted | Programmable notes |
| XWiki | Wiki | LGPL-2.1 | Self-hosted | Enterprise knowledge |
| Beaver Notes | Notes | MIT | Local-first | Offline private notes |
| Darkwrite | Note editor | AGPL-3.0 | Local | Simple offline writing |
| Orgnise | Project management | AGPL-3.0 | Self-hosted | Teams (not notes) |
| OpenNotas | Encrypted notes | AGPL-3.0-or-later | Local with sync | Private notes |
| Justnote | Notes | GPL-2.0 | Synced | Simple private notes |
Want the closest personal knowledge system
SiYuan offers block-level references, bidirectional links, database blocks, spaced repetition, and local or Docker deployment.
Want a polished all-in-one workspace
AppFlowy combines a block editor, databases, AI, offline mode, and first-class self-hosting on desktop and mobile.
Want encrypted notes across every platform
Joplin offers end-to-end encryption, Markdown, web clipping, and a plugin ecosystem on desktop, mobile, and terminal.
Want plain Markdown files with Git
Tolaria stores notes as plain Markdown files with an integrated Git client and direct AI model connections.
Want programmable notes
SilverBullet is a self-hosted Markdown system with wiki links, queries, and Lua scripting.
Want a team wiki
Docmost offers real-time collaboration, SSO, permissions, and diagramming for self-hosted team documentation.
Want zero-knowledge encryption
Notesnook uses end-to-end encryption with a self-hostable sync server and a web clipper.
Want a local-first object workspace
Anytype offers an object model with databases and graph view, but it is source available rather than open source.