Tana alternatives: 8 open-source picks
Tana costs $30/mo — $360 a year. These 8 alternatives replace it for $0, led by SiYuan, Logseq and Trilium Notes. All 8 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Structured blocks, attributes and database views, with less magic and more switches.
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 TanaSiYuan can structure blocks and show database views, but it lacks Tana's fast command-driven supertags and fluid live-search-node workflow.
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
An outliner with properties, templates and queries; supertags arrive as several smaller ideas.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runson your machine
installDesktop or mobile installer from the official downloads/releases
dataThe established file-based edition stores pages as Markdown or Org files plus assets in a local graph folder; the newer database-backed edition uses a different local database model
the catch vs TanaLogseq has properties, templates, and queries but no single supertag system that instantly turns blocks into typed records with live structured views like Tana.
setupThe first decision is whether to stay on the mature file-based edition or adopt the newer database edition and its migration path; either way, sync and backups need deliberate setup
facts verified 2026-08-10
Templates, relations and attributes turn notes into records, though the outline is a tree.
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 TanaTrilium's one-primary-parent tree is much more rigid than Tana's block outliner and supertag-driven views for reusing the same structured information.
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
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 · Logseq · Trilium Notes · AppFlowy · AFFiNE · Joplin
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Tana 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.
Runs on your own machine, no server
Logseq — nothing to host, your data stays on your disk.
Works on your phone
SiYuan has a mobile app.
what you give up by leaving Tana
- native mobile clients
- conflict-safe multi-device sync
- mature importers and exporters
- collaborative editing and sharing
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Tana 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 |
| Logseq | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, ios, android | 44,299 | 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 |
| 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 Tana
Tana: People pay for a writing surface they trust for years, plus migration tools, sync, and tiny interaction details that disappear into habit. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $360 a year.
questions about switching from Tana
Is there an open-source alternative to Tana?
Yes: SiYuan, Logseq, Trilium Notes and 5 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Tana?
Our verdict is YES. AppFlowy (75k stars), AFFiNE (71k stars), Joplin (56k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Tana — self-host with docker and stop paying $30/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/tana.
What is the easiest open-source Tana alternative to set up?
SiYuan — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Tana alternative?
By GitHub stars, AppFlowy (75,000). AFFiNE is next with 71,000.
