Notion alternatives

Killing $10+/user/mo (Plus) (~$120/yr) — here are 3 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.

currently paying for

$10+/user/mo (Plus)

head-to-head

AppFlowy oss self-host AGPL-3.0

Free / self-host free

Notion-style workspace, offline-first, you own your data.

trade-offs: Fewer integrations · Younger mobile apps

AFFiNE oss self-host

Free / self-host free

Docs + whiteboard + databases in one open-source canvas.

trade-offs: Some advanced features are cloud-paid

Outline oss self-host

Self-host free

Fast team wiki / knowledge base used by thousands of companies.

trade-offs: Wiki-focused, not an all-in-one workspace

⏱ ~1 hr for personal use

In Notion: Settings → Settings → Export content → Export all workspace content as Markdown & CSV.
Pick your landing spot: AppFlowy for a Notion-like feel, AFFiNE if you want docs + whiteboards combined.
Import the Markdown/CSV bundle (both apps support Markdown import; databases come across as CSV tables).
Rebuild your 3 most-used database views manually — complex formulas rarely map 1:1.
Keep your Notion export ZIP in cold storage for 90 days, then cancel.

What is the best free alternative to Notion?

AppFlowy is the top free option — Notion-style workspace, offline-first, you own your data.

How much can I save by switching from Notion?

Notion costs $10+/user/mo (Plus), so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $120/year per seat.

Can Notion be self-hosted?

Yes — AppFlowy and AFFiNE and Outline can be self-hosted for free.