// comparison · Notes
NotionvsAppFlowy: Which Should You Use?
Quick verdict: AppFlowy clones Notion's docs + databases model well and runs locally. Notion still wins on polish, third-party integrations, and team collaboration at scale.
Side-by-side
| Notion | AppFlowy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12/mo (Notion Plus) | $0 (free) |
| License | Proprietary subscription | Open source (FOSS), self-hostable, privacy-first |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| File compatibility | Native formats | Imports Markdown / plain text |
| Learning curve | Established workflow | Medium |
| Best for | You're a team that already shares Notion workspaces with vendors and partners | You're a solo user or small team and want notes + databases that stay on your device |
When to use each
Stick with Notion when
- You're a team that already shares Notion workspaces with vendors and partners
- You need real-time multi-cursor co-editing across a large org
- You depend on Notion AI for in-line summarisation and drafting
- You use Notion's integration directory (Slack, GitHub, Jira, etc.)
Switch to AppFlowy when
- You're a solo user or small team and want notes + databases that stay on your device
- You worry about Notion's privacy posture or future pricing
- You want to self-host a Notion-like workspace
- You build wikis, planners, or trackers and don't need cloud sync
Migration: Notion → AppFlowy
Switch Score for AppFlowy: Medium · Imports Markdown / plain text. If you decide to move from Notion to AppFlowy, plan a short adjustment window. Most users find that day-to-day work transfers within a week, with file-format quirks the most common source of friction.
Honest trade-offs of AppFlowy
- Real-time multi-cursor collaboration is more limited than Notion
- Far fewer integrations and templates than Notion's ecosystem
- Some Notion features (AI, embeds, automations) are missing or basic
FAQ
Can AppFlowy import my Notion workspace?
Yes — Notion CSV/Markdown export imports into AppFlowy, though formatting on complex pages may need tidying.
Is AppFlowy fully open source?
Yes — Apache 2.0 licensed. There's a paid cloud-sync tier, but the local app and self-hosted server are free.
Does it work offline?
Yes, it's offline-first by design. Data lives in a local database; sync is optional.