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Affine

Open-source workspace blending docs, whiteboards, and databases

4.2(321 reviews)
freemiumFree cloud tier. Self-hosting is free. Paid plans for teams.View full pricing →

Visit Affine

https://affine.pro

About Affine

Affine is an open-source, privacy-focused alternative to Notion and Miro. It blends a document editor, a whiteboard, and a database into a single workspace, allowing users to switch between a linear doc view and a spatial canvas view instantly for the same content.

Key Features

Dual-mode view: Switch between 'Page' and 'Edgeless' (canvas) modes
Database blocks for structured data management
Real-time collaboration with team members
Full open-source codebase with self-hosting options
Privacy-first approach with local-first data storage
Integrated AI assistant for drafting and brainstorming
Rich media support and embeddable content

Affine Pros & Cons

Pros

  • +The Page-to-Canvas toggle is a game-changer for productivity
  • +Open-source and self-hostable — total control over data
  • +Strong privacy guarantees compared to proprietary tools
  • +Combines the best of Notion (docs) and Miro (canvas)
  • +Rapidly improving feature set and active community

⚠️ Cons

  • Performance can be uneven on very complex canvases
  • UI can feel a bit cluttered when switching modes
  • Less mature ecosystem of templates than Notion
  • Mobile experience is still lagging behind desktop

Who Is Affine Best For?

👤Privacy-conscious teams needing a shared workspace
👤Visual thinkers who also need to write structured docs
👤Open-source enthusiasts looking for a Notion replacement
👤Product teams doing brainstorming and documentation in one place

Affine Use Cases

💡Product Brainstorming to Spec

A product team starts a new feature in 'Edgeless' mode, brainstorming ideas with sticky notes and arrows. Once the direction is clear, they toggle to 'Page' mode to write the detailed PRD, linking back to the visual map for context — all in the same file.

💡Self-Hosted Knowledge Base

A security-focused startup self-hosts Affine on their own servers to maintain a company wiki. They use the database features to track internal tools and the canvas mode to map out their network architecture, ensuring no sensitive data ever leaves their infrastructure.

💡Personal Study Hub

A student uses Affine to organize a course on History. They use the Page mode for detailed lecture notes and the Edgeless mode to create a visual timeline of events, allowing them to see the chronological flow and the conceptual links simultaneously.

Tags

open-sourcenotion alternativewhiteboardcollaborationprivacypkm
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