AppFlowy
Heptabase
| Feature | AppFlowy | Heptabase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $12.5/mo | From $11.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | privacy-focused-teams, open-source-enthusiasts, notion-alternatives, self-hosters | researchers, students, visual-thinkers, phd-students |
| Founded | 2021 | 2021 |
| Documents | ✓ | ✗ |
| Databases | ✓ | ✗ |
| Kanban | ✓ | ✗ |
| Calendar View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Assistant | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Hostable | ✓ | ✗ |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Whiteboards | ✗ | ✓ |
| Card System | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mindmaps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Journal | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pdf Annotation | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ AppFlowy Pros
- Open-source with full self-hosting option
- Familiar Notion-like interface and features
- Local-first with offline support
- AI features powered by multiple models
✗ AppFlowy Cons
- Less mature than Notion with fewer integrations
- Template library is limited
- Collaboration features still developing
✓ Heptabase Pros
- Visual-first approach to note-taking
- Whiteboards for spatial thinking
- Card-based system is very flexible
- Great for research and learning
✗ Heptabase Cons
- No free plan
- Mobile app is limited
- Steeper learning curve than simple note apps
The Verdict
AppFlowy is built for privacy focused teams and open source enthusiasts, with a focus on documents and databases. Heptabase targets researchers and students and leads with whiteboards and card-system.
Both tools come in at similar price points ($12.5/mo for AppFlowy, $11.99/mo for Heptabase), so pricing won't make the decision for you.
AppFlowy has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Heptabase requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, AppFlowy offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Heptabase takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Heptabase has a slight overall edge — but if open-source with full self-hosting option matters most to you, AppFlowy may still be the right call.