Logseq vs AppFlowy
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Notion. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
90
Logseq
TOP PICKA local-first, open-source outliner over plain Markdown.
Logseq stores your notes as local Markdown/Org files and builds a networked, block-based knowledge graph on top. It is open-source, privacy-friendly, and yours to back up however you like.
85
AppFlowy
The open-source Notion alternative, self-hostable.
AppFlowy mirrors Notion's docs-plus-databases model as an open-source app you can run locally or self-host, keeping your data on infrastructure you control.
Side by side
| Logseq | AppFlowy | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 90 | 85 |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Local-first | Yes | Yes |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free / open-source | Free / open-source; optional paid cloud |
The verdict
Logseq is Macrostack's recommended Notion alternative, so it's our pick here.
Logseq
Strengths
- +Plain-text files you own
- +Powerful outlining and backlinks
- +Fully open-source
Trade-offs
- −Outliner model is an adjustment
- −Fewer polished database views than Notion
AppFlowy
Strengths
- +Closest feel to Notion
- +Self-hostable backend
- +Active development
Trade-offs
- −Younger than Notion, some gaps
- −Self-hosting takes setup
More Notion head-to-heads
Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.