Capacities alternatives: 8 open-source picks
Capacities costs $11.99/mo — $143.88 a year. These 8 alternatives replace it for $0, led by SiYuan, Trilium Notes and AppFlowy. All 8 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Typed blocks, relations and database views for people who enjoy seeing the machinery.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installDesktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting
enginesBuilt-in AI features connect to OpenAI-compatible APIs using a configured endpoint and key
dataA workspace stores block documents as structured .sy JSON files plus assets on disk; SQLite files hold indexes and auxiliary state; documents can export to Markdown, HTML, PDF, and Word
the catch vs CapacitiesSiYuan exposes blocks, attributes, and database mechanics more directly, so creating and browsing coherent object types is less elegant than in Capacities.
setupThe desktop app installs cleanly, but free cross-device sync is not a turnkey feature: official cloud sync is a paid membership feature and Docker hosting does not transparently become desktop/mobile sync
facts verified 2026-08-10
Notes become objects through attributes, relations and reusable templates.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installDesktop release package, or Docker Compose/image for a server and browser client
dataNotes, hierarchy, attributes, revisions, and most attachments live in a local or server-side SQLite database named document.db; notes can be exported to HTML, Markdown, or OPML
the catch vs CapacitiesTrilium remains fundamentally tree-first, making typed objects and cross-cutting collections feel bolted on compared with Capacities' object-native design.
setupThe desktop app is straightforward, but cross-device sync and browser access require operating a Trilium server, persisting document.db, and handling backups and upgrades
facts verified 2026-08-10
AI-powered workspace with docs, wikis, and kanban boards built in Rust/Flutter
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Docs, whiteboards, and databases fused into one local-first workspace
licenseMIT (open core)
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Local-first outliner for networked thought with backlinks and daily journals
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Fast, collaborative team wiki and knowledge base with slick editor
licenseBSL-1.1
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
End-to-end encrypted note-taking with sync — open-source Evernote done right.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: SiYuan · Trilium Notes · AppFlowy · AFFiNE · Joplin · Logseq
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Capacities alternative
Easiest to get running
SiYuan — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
AppFlowy, with 75,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 8, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Works on your phone
SiYuan has a mobile app.
what you give up by leaving Capacities
- object-model polish, mobile capture, sync, calendar integration, and AI features
- frictionless mobile capture
- real-time team editing
- hosted publishing
- proprietary AI memory
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Capacities alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiYuan | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, android, self-hosted, browser-extension | 45,647 | 2026-08 |
| Trilium Notes | AGPL-3.0+ | one-click install | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted, browser-extension | 37,278 | 2026-08 |
| AppFlowy | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 75,000 | 2026-08 |
| AFFiNE | MIT (open core) | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 71,000 | 2026-08 |
| Joplin | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 56,000 | 2026-08 |
| Logseq | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 44,000 | 2026-08 |
| Outline | BSL-1.1 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 40,000 | 2026-08 |
| Notesnook | GPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 12,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Capacities
People still pay for Capacities because people keep paying when the note system is trusted across every device and disappears into their daily capture habits. The recurring cost buys file watching, conflict handling, indexing, mobile apps, encryption, backups, and migrations, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $143.88 a year.
questions about switching from Capacities
Is there an open-source alternative to Capacities?
Yes: SiYuan, Trilium Notes, AppFlowy and 5 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Capacities?
Our verdict is YES. AppFlowy (75k stars), AFFiNE (71k stars), Joplin (56k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Capacities — self-host with docker and stop paying $11.99/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/capacities.
What is the easiest open-source Capacities alternative to set up?
SiYuan — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Capacities alternative?
By GitHub stars, AppFlowy (75,000). AFFiNE is next with 71,000.
