Best Open Source Note Taking & Knowledge Management Software
Browse 30 production-ready, self-hostable open-source tools in Note Taking & Knowledge Management. Eliminate per-seat SaaS costs, retain complete data ownership, and claim $100K+ in startup cloud hosting credits.
Top Open-Source Note Taking & Knowledge Management Software Compared
Direct overview of top-ranked solutions by community stars and license
| Tool Name | GitHub Stars | License | Replaces Proprietary | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affine | ★ 134,975 | MIT | Notion, OneNote | View Stack → |
| Macro Docs | ★ 78,075 | AGPL-3.0 | Notion, Obsidian | View Stack → |
| AnyType | ★ 78,075 | Open Source | Notion, Obsidian | View Stack → |
| Beaver Notes | ★ 78,075 | MIT | Notion, Obsidian | View Stack → |
| Blinko | ★ 78,075 | GPL-3.0 | Notion, Obsidian | View Stack → |
All 30 Note Taking & Knowledge Management Open Source Tools
Ranked by GitHub community stars & active adoption
Affine
MITAn open-source, local-first knowledge base that merges structured docs, infinite whiteboards, databases, and AI into a single workspace for teams and creators.
Macro Docs
AGPL-3.0Collaborative markdown documents with real-time CRDT editing, AI agent cursors, mention linking, and built-in properties tied to your tasks, channels, and…
AnyType
Open SourceA local-first, encrypted workspace for notes, tasks, databases, and chats. Your data stays on your device, syncs peer-to-peer, and never passes through a…
Beaver Notes
MITA privacy-focused, offline-first note-taking app that stores everything on your device, with Markdown, note linking, file attachments, LaTeX math, and…
Blinko
GPL-3.0The next generation of open-source AI-powered card notes designed to help you quickly capture and organize inspiration so that ideas never run out.
Joplin
Open SourceCross-platform note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, web clipping, and sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud.
Justnote
GPL-2.0Justnote is a secure note-taking app that lets you easily create and sync notes across devices while maintaining full control of your data.
Logseq
AGPL-3.0Local-first, open-source knowledge management tool with bidirectional linking, outlines, flashcards, PDF annotations, and whiteboards for building a connected…
Notesnook
GPL-3.0End-to-end encrypted note-taking app with zero-knowledge architecture, cross-device sync, web clipper, and a self-hostable sync server.
OpenNotas
Open SourceOpenNotas is a multi-platform, end-to-end encrypted note-taking app that offers simplicity, synchronization, and offline functionality.
Silverbullet
MITA self-hosted, browser-based note-taking system that turns plain Markdown pages into a queryable, scriptable knowledge base you control.
SiYuan
AGPL-3.0Personal knowledge management system with WYSIWYG block editing, bidirectional links, spaced repetition flashcards, a relational database, and end-to-end…
KeePassXC
GPL-3.0KeePassXC is an open-source password manager that securely stores and manages sensitive information across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Darkwrite
AGPL-3.0A customizable, offline-first note editor that lets you format text, create lists, add images, and export to HTML - all while maintaining your privacy.
ItsNotes
MITA self-hosted, open-source note-taking app that keeps the Google Keep sticky-note feel while adding folders, timelines, list views, and import support.
Standard Notes
AGPL-3.0Cross-platform note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, offline access, and powerful organization features for privacy-conscious users.
Tolaria
AGPL-3.0A free, open source note-taking app built on plain Markdown files, Git version control, and direct AI model integration. No account required.
Zen
AGPL-3.0Minimal note-taking app storing Markdown notes in local SQLite database. Features instant search, flexible tagging, keyboard shortcuts, and offline access.
AppFlowy
AGPL-3.0Open source collaborative workspace combining notes, databases, and AI with full data ownership, offline support, and self-hosting options.
Memos
MITMemos is a self-hosted, open-source note-taking app built around a private timeline. Write in Markdown, skip the folder setup, and keep your data on your own…
Outline
BUSL-1.1Team knowledge base with real-time collaboration, AI-powered search, Slack integration, and self-hosting support for internal docs and wikis.
SurfSense
Apache-2.0Self-hostable NotebookLM alternative that lets teams build searchable knowledge bases from diverse sources, with support for any LLM and no data limits.
Docmost
AGPL-3.0Self-hosted wiki platform for enterprise teams with real-time collaboration, built-in AI, SSO, RBAC permissions, and compliance support for ITAR, FedRAMP, and…
Open-Notebook
MITCombines AI summarization, podcast generation, and multi-format content ingestion for researchers and students who want to keep their data private.
Vrite
AGPL-3.0A powerful platform for technical writing, offering real-time collaboration, version control, and seamless integrations.
Zotero
Open SourceReference manager that captures sources from the web, organizes them with tags and collections, and generates citations in 9,000+ styles for Word…
Anarlog
MITRecords system audio without joining your call, then turns rough notes into editable summaries. Audio, transcripts, and notes stay as local files.
Khoj
AGPL-3.0Self-hostable AI assistant that connects to your docs and the web, lets you build agents, schedule automations, and run research with verifiable citations.
Deta Surf
Apache-2.0A browser that doubles as a personal notebook, letting you research, summarize, and take notes on web pages, PDFs, and videos without switching apps.
XWiki
LGPL-2.1XWiki is a flexible, feature-rich wiki software that helps organizations structure and share knowledge efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions: Open Source Note Taking & Knowledge Management
What are the best open source Note Taking & Knowledge Management tools in 2026?
The highest-ranked open-source software in Note Taking & Knowledge Management is Affine with over 134,975 GitHub stars. Other leading tools include Macro Docs, AnyType, Beaver Notes, Blinko. All are vetted for production self-hosting.
Can I self-host Note Taking & Knowledge Management open source tools on my own cloud?
Yes. Tools listed in this category support self-hosting via Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or Helm on AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or bare metal with zero per-seat licensing fees.
How can early-stage startups get free cloud credits to host Note Taking & Knowledge Management tools?
Founders can claim up to $100,000 in AWS Activate, $350,000 in Google Cloud for Startups, and $1,000 in DigitalOcean credits via Startupbricks Perks (startupbricks.in/perks) to deploy self-hosted stacks at zero infrastructure cost.
What proprietary SaaS does open source Note Taking & Knowledge Management software replace?
Open-source tools in this category replace proprietary commercial platforms including Notion, OneNote, Miro, Confluence, Evernote, Nuclino, FigJam, Mural, Endless, Obsidian. Switching gives your team 100% data custody, security control, and zero recurring seat costs.
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