Top Notion Alternatives in 2025: Best Free, Open Source & Self-Hosted Options

Are you tired of feeling limited by Notion? Wondering if there’s a better tool that fits your workflow, respects your privacy, or costs less? Maybe you want a free Notion alternative, or prefer an open source Notion alternative that you can customize. Or perhaps you’re searching for a self hosted Notion alternative to keep full control over your data. If any of these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone — and this guide is here to help.

In this article, we’ll explore the best Notion alternatives available in 2025, including free, open source, and self-hosted options. We’ll also introduce a unique hardware-software solution that might just change how you take notes and organize your ideas

Why Look for a Notion Alternative?

Notion has become incredibly popular for its all-in-one workspace that combines notes, tasks, databases, and collaboration. But despite its strengths, many users encounter pain points:

• Is Notion too complex or slow for your needs? Some find its interface overwhelming or performance laggy with large workspaces.

• Are you concerned about data privacy and ownership? Notion is a cloud-based SaaS, meaning your data is stored on their servers.

• Is the pricing model a barrier? For teams or heavy users, subscription costs can add up.

• Do you want more customization or offline access? Notion’s closed ecosystem limits flexibility.

These challenges lead many to search for an alternative to Notion that better fits their unique needs — whether that means a free tool, an open source project, or a self-hosted platform.

Top Free Notion Alternatives in 2025

If budget is a concern or you want to try something simple before committing, free Notion alternatives offer great value.

Google Keep

Google Keep is a straightforward note-taking app that syncs across devices. It’s ideal for quick notes, lists, and reminders. While it lacks Notion’s database features, its simplicity and integration with Google Workspace make it a solid choice for casual users.

Evernote

Evernote remains a classic free alternative with powerful note organization, tagging, and search. It supports attachments, web clipping, and multi-device sync. The free tier has some limitations, but it’s suitable for many personal and professional users.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a local-first note-taking app that uses Markdown files stored on your device. It supports bidirectional linking and graph views, making it great for knowledge management. The core app is free, with optional paid add-ons. Unlike Notion, Obsidian works offline and gives you full control over your files.

XPPen Magic Note Pad — A Dedicated Note-Taking Tablet with Free App

If you want to elevate your note-taking experience beyond software alone, consider the XPPen Magic Note Pad. This innovative device combines hardware and software to offer a natural, paper-like writing experience — a compelling free Notion alternative for those who prefer handwritten notes.

What Makes XPPen Magic Note Pad Special?

• X-Paper Display: A 10.95-inch color paper-like screen with 90Hz refresh rate, reducing eye strain and mimicking real paper texture.

• 16K Pressure-Sensitive Pen: Offers precise, smooth handwriting with natural pen-to-paper feel.

• XPPen Notes App: Comes with a lifetime free license for this powerful note-taking app, which supports organizing, tagging, and exporting notes easily.

• Smart Features: Includes split-screen multitasking, gesture controls, and multiple color modes to suit different lighting conditions.

• Portability: Lightweight and designed for students, professionals, and creatives who want to capture ideas anytime, anywhere.

Unlike traditional digital note apps, Magic Note Pad integrates physical writing with digital convenience, making it a unique free Notion alternative that blends the best of both worlds.

Best Open Source Notion Alternatives

For users who prioritize transparency, customization, and privacy, open source Notion alternatives are an excellent choice. These projects allow you to inspect, modify, and even contribute to the code.

AppFlowy

AppFlowy is a promising open source productivity tool designed as a Notion alternative. It supports rich text, databases, and task management, with an active community and ongoing AI collaboration features. Its modular design lets you customize workflows to your liking.

Joplin

Joplin is a secure, open source note-taking and to-do app. It supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and synchronization via services like Dropbox or OneDrive. Joplin is great for users who want privacy without sacrificing functionality.

Logseq

Logseq focuses on knowledge management with a graph-based approach, similar to Roam Research. It supports bidirectional linking, Markdown, and local storage. Its open source nature appeals to power users who want to build personal knowledge bases.

Other notable open source projects include Notesnook (privacy-centric) and Affine (feature-rich with AI support).

Top Self-Hosted Notion Alternatives

If controlling your data is a top priority, self-hosted Notion alternatives let you run the software on your own servers or cloud, ensuring full ownership and compliance with privacy policies.

Outline

Outline is a clean, easy-to-deploy wiki and knowledge base tool designed for teams. It offers a simple interface, document collaboration, and permission controls. Its self-hosted version is popular among companies wanting internal documentation without relying on third-party cloud services.

AFFiNE

AFFiNE is a powerful self-hosted productivity platform that integrates note-taking, project management, and AI-assisted writing. It supports real-time collaboration and offers extensive customization, making it suitable for teams and individuals who want advanced features with data privacy.

XWiki

XWiki is an enterprise-grade platform for documentation and collaboration. It supports extensive customization, scripting, and integration with other enterprise tools. While more complex to set up, it’s ideal for organizations needing a robust self-hosted solution.

How to Choose the Right Notion Alternative for You

Selecting the best Notion alternative depends on several factors:

• Team Size & Collaboration Needs: Larger teams may prefer tools with strong permission management and real-time collaboration.

• Feature Requirements: Do you need databases, task management, or simple note-taking?

• Budget: Free tools can be powerful, but paid options often offer better support and features.

• Data Privacy: If data control is critical, consider open source or self-hosted solutions.

• Technical Skills: Self-hosting requires server management skills; cloud services are easier but less private.

• Trial and Community: Test tools before committing and consider the strength of the user community for support.

Conclusion: The Future of Productivity Beyond Notion

The productivity landscape in 2025 offers diverse options beyond Notion. Whether you want a free Notion alternative like Obsidian or Google Keep, an open source Notion alternative such as AppFlowy or Joplin, or a self hosted Notion alternative like Outline or AFFiNE, there’s a solution tailored to your needs.

For those who prefer a tactile, natural note-taking experience, the XPPen Magic Note Pad provides a unique blend of hardware and software, making digital note-taking feel as intuitive as pen and paper — all backed by a lifetime free license to the XPPen Notes app.

Explore these alternatives, try them out, and find the tool that enhances your productivity, protects your privacy, and fits your workflow perfectly.

Ready to try a new way to take notes? Check out the XPPen Magic Note Pad today and experience note-taking redefined.

This article is designed to help you make an informed choice about Notion alternatives in 2025, combining practicality, privacy, and innovation.