AppFlowy
Open-source, local-first Notion alternative built in Rust and Flutter with full self-hosting support.
Last commit 2026-06-01
AppFlowy launched in 2021 with an explicit premise: build what Notion is, but make it open-source and local-first so your data never has to leave your machine unless you decide otherwise. The engineering choice that makes that premise real is Rust for the backend document and database engine, paired with Flutter for the UI layer — a combination that yields native performance on macOS, Windows, and Linux while sharing a single codebase with the iOS and Android apps.
The local-first design means AppFlowy stores everything in a local database on your device from the start. Sync is opt-in: you can self-host AppFlowy Cloud on your own server via Docker and get real-time collaborative editing across teammates, or use the hosted AppFlowy Cloud service. Either way, the data model never assumes a network connection is present.
The document and grid feature sets cover the majority of everyday Notion use cases — nested pages, checkboxes, code blocks, filtered grid views, kanban boards, and a calendar view. Rollup fields and complex multi-property formulas are an area of active development that trails Notion's current depth. The AGPL-3.0 license is significant: it means the core is genuinely free to run and modify, and any networked derivative must publish its source changes, which protects against the kind of "open core gets quietly swallowed" pattern that happens in commercial open-source. AppFlowy AI offers an alternative AI assistant mode that routes to a self-hosted model instead of a cloud API, which completes the data-sovereignty picture for teams that need it.
Key features of AppFlowy
- Document editor with nested pages, checklists, code blocks, and callouts
- Grid, board, and calendar views backed by a local database engine
- AppFlowy AI for on-device or self-hosted AI assistance without sending data to third parties
- Self-hosted sync via AppFlowy Cloud for team collaboration
- Offline-first architecture — full functionality without an internet connection
Pros
- AGPL-licensed core with true local-first storage and full offline support
- Native desktop apps on macOS, Windows, and Linux built with Flutter
- Data stays under your control whether you self-host or use local storage
Cons
- Database feature set is less mature than Notion's — rollups and complex formulas are still catching up
- Self-hosted collaboration requires running AppFlowy Cloud, adding operational overhead
- Mobile apps on iOS and Android are usable but trail the desktop experience in polish
AppFlowy pricing
Free / self-host · open-source · AGPL-3.0
Privacy-conscious individuals and teams who need a Notion-like workspace with offline-first storage and no data sent to a cloud vendor.
AppFlowy is an alternative to
Frequently asked questions
Is AppFlowy open source?
Yes. AppFlowy is open source (AGPL-3.0), so you can read the code, self-host it, and avoid vendor lock-in.
How much does AppFlowy cost?
AppFlowy starts at Free / self-host on a open-source model. Self-hosting can reduce that to infrastructure cost only.
Can I self-host AppFlowy?
Yes — AppFlowy supports self-hosting, giving you full data ownership.