AFFiNE
AFFiNE combines documents, an infinite whiteboard and databases in one workspace that runs locally. With optional cloud sync and a paid AI add-on.
On this page
Quick verdict
AFFiNE is a strong choice if you want writing and sketching on one canvas, but self-hosting is legally less free than the open source promise suggests.
For you if
- you mix documents and a whiteboard and don't want two apps for that
- you want to work locally and only sync when you choose to
- you keep notes together with a small team or your family
Not for you if
- you want a mature workspace with lots of integrations for a large team, in which case Notion is a better fit
- you want to run AFFiNE for free in production on your own server
- you need to know exactly which data center holds your cloud data
Then Notion is probably a better fit.
How much does AFFiNE cost?
- Unlimited local workspaces
- Unlimited documents and whiteboards
- 10 GB of cloud storage
- Files up to 10 MB
- Up to 3 members per workspace
- 7 days of version history, up to 3 devices
Unlimited local use; in the cloud 10 GB of storage, files up to 10 MB, 3 members per workspace and 7 days of version history.
Try AFFiNE- 100 GB of cloud storage
- Files up to 100 MB
- Up to 10 members per workspace
- 30 days of version history
- Community support
- Writing, rewriting, translating and improving language
- Mind maps from your text
- Presentation from an outline (beta)
- AI chat in documents and whiteboards
- 10 free tries
- Everything in Pro
- 100 GB of storage plus 20 GB per seat
- Files up to 500 MB
- Unlimited team members (from 10 seats)
- Multiple admin roles
- Priority support
Prefer to pay once
Lifetime licences: pay once, no subscription.
Work it out for your team
| Plan | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $ 6.75 | $ 81 |
| AFFiNE AI | $ 8.90 | $ 106.80 |
| Team | $ 100 | $ 1,200 |
Total for the whole team, excluding VAT and price increases. Billed yearly where possible.
My advice: If you mostly work alone, Free gets you a long way: 10 GB in the cloud is plenty for text and sketches. If you want to collaborate with more people or store larger files, Pro costs $ 6.75 per month billed yearly. Teams from 10 seats pay $ 10 per seat per month billed yearly. The AI add-on comes on top of that, at $ 8.9 per month billed yearly.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Documents and whiteboard in one
- Works locally, also offline
- Generous free plan with 10 GB cloud
- Apps for every platform plus web
- Import from Notion and Obsidian
- One-time purchase with Believer
What I like less
- AI is a separate add-on
- Self-hosting requires a license
- Data center and certifications unknown
- Mobile apps less complete
FeaturesWhat notes usually have: AFFiNE has 11 of 14 in full and 3 in part.
green: yes, light green: partly
| Feature | AFFiNE | Other notes |
|---|---|---|
| Databases | YesWith calendar view since 0.27 | 1 of 1 have it |
| Local storage | YesOffline editing, sync via AFFiNE Cloud or your own server | 1 of 1 have it |
| Web Clipper | Yes | 1 of 1 have it |
| AI support | PartlyPaid add-on | 0 of 1 have it |
| Self-hosting | YesDocker Compose; free up to 10 seats per workspace, more with a Team license | 1 of 2 have it |
| Real-time collaboration | YesCRDT-based sync | 1 of 1 have it |
| Local and cloud workspaces | Yes | |
| Whiteboard | YesDocs and canvas in one | |
| Version history | Yes7 days in Free, 30 days in Pro | 1 of 1 have it |
| AI with your own key | PartlyExperimental since 0.27 | |
| Calendar integration | YesGoogle Calendar and CalDAV | |
| MCP server | Yes | |
| Team workspace with admins | PartlyTeam plan only, multiple admin roles | |
| Import from other apps | YesNotion, Obsidian, Bear and OneNote |
Full reviewBy Ruud Caris · updated September 26, 2026 · How I work
Introduction1 min
In AFFiNE, a document is also a whiteboard. With one click you switch from a page of text to Edgeless, an infinite canvas where the same blocks float freely. You sketch, connect and arrange, then carry on writing in the normal view. That idea sets AFFiNE apart from most notes apps.
Page and canvas in one file1 min
AFFiNE comes from TOEVERYTHING, a company that started in Singapore in 2022 and works fully remote. It wants to be an open alternative to a workspace like Notion and a whiteboard like Miro, combined in one app.
The foundation has three parts. You write documents in a block editor. Edgeless is the whiteboard, where you place text, shapes, images and connectors. Databases add structure, with views such as a table, a kanban board and, since version 0.27, a calendar. That version came out in July 2026.
AFFiNE is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android, and also works in the browser. According to the maker, the desktop app is the most complete version. The mobile apps are mainly meant for capturing something or reading it back.
Local-first, with the cloud as an option1 min
A workspace can be local or in the cloud. A local workspace stays on your device. A cloud workspace syncs through AFFiNE Cloud between your devices and with other people. That sync is based on CRDTs, a technique that merges simultaneous edits from several people. You can always edit offline; your changes sync as soon as you are back online.
Switching over is made easy. Since version 0.27 you can import directly from Notion, Obsidian, Bear and OneNote. There is a Web Clipper, an integration with Google Calendar and CalDAV, and an MCP server that gives AI tools access to your workspace.
Version 0.27 changed how sync works. Clients from 0.27 onward only work with a server from 0.27 onward. If you self-host, update the server first and the apps after that.
AI costs extra1 min
AFFiNE AI helps with writing, rewriting, translating and improving language. It creates mind maps from your text, turns an outline into a presentation, and lets you chat about your documents and whiteboards. Every AFFiNE Cloud user can try it 10 times for free.
After that you pay for a separate add-on at $ 8.9 per month billed yearly, on top of your plan. The pricing page lists no monthly price. Keep in mind that when you use AI, AFFiNE sends the relevant content to external AI providers.
Since version 0.27 you can also use your own key from OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or FAL. That feature is still experimental.
What it costs1 min
AFFiNE has a free plan with no time limit. Local use is unlimited. In the cloud you get 10 GB of storage, files up to 10 MB, up to 3 members per workspace and 7 days of version history.
| Plan | Monthly | Billed yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $ 0 | |
| Pro | $ 7.99 | $ 6.75 |
| AFFiNE AI | $ 8.90 | |
| Team | $ 12 | $ 10 |
| Believer | $ 499.99 one-time | |
Pro costs $ 7.99 per month, or $ 6.75 per month billed yearly. For that you get 100 GB, files up to 100 MB, up to 10 members per workspace and 30 days of version history. According to the pricing page, paying yearly saves 15%.
Team costs $ 12 per seat per month, or $ 10 billed yearly, from 10 seats. You get 100 GB plus 20 GB per seat, files up to 500 MB and multiple admin roles. For Enterprise you request a quote.
If you'd rather pay once, you can take the Believer plan for $ 499.99. That gives you lifetime Pro for personal use, with 1 TB of storage.
Open source, but watch out with self-hosting1 min
AFFiNE calls itself open source, and for the most part that's true. The editor and the desktop app are under the MIT license. The server falls under a separate Enterprise Edition license.
That has consequences. According to the FAQ, without a commercial agreement you may only view the server source code. The server license requires a valid Enterprise Edition subscription for production use. At the same time, the pricing page shows a self-hosting tab labeled free. For a business user, that contradiction is a reason to ask first.
Technically, self-hosting is quite doable. You run AFFiNE with Docker Compose, with Postgres and Redis, on at least 4 CPU cores and 2 GB of RAM. Backups, updates and HTTPS are then up to you.
Less is known about the cloud. On its own pages, AFFiNE names no data center location and no certifications for the cloud. For sensitive data, that is a reason to choose a local workspace.
AFFiNE compared with Notion, Obsidian and Heptabase1 min
Notion is more mature as a team workspace, with more integrations, but everything lives in the cloud. Obsidian stores your notes as Markdown files on your computer and has a large plugin ecosystem, but no built-in whiteboard next to your text like Edgeless.
Heptabase is strong at visual research with cards on a whiteboard. AFFiNE is the logical choice if you want writing and sketching in the same document, want to be able to work locally and want a generous free plan.
Alternatives to AFFiNEFrom the same category.
ObsidianA powerful, offline-first note-taking app that helps you build a personal knowledge network with Markdown files, bi-directional links, and a visual representation.★ 4.6 · free plan · from $ 4
UpnoteAn elegant and powerful note-taking app with a focus on writing, organization, and seamless synchronization across all platforms.★ 4.6 · free plan · from $ 1.99
TodoistA leading to-do app that organizes tasks with powerful natural language recognition and seamless synchronization across all devices.★ 4.6 · free plan · from $ 5
Toggl TrackAn intuitive time tracking tool that helps freelancers and teams track hours, manage projects, and optimize billable time.★ 4.6 · free plan · from $ 9Questions about AFFiNE
Is AFFiNE free?
Yes, there is a free plan with no time limit. Local use is unlimited, and in the cloud you get 10 GB of storage and up to 3 members per workspace.
Is AI included in AFFiNE Pro?
No. On the pricing page, AFFiNE AI is a separate add-on at $ 8.9 per month billed yearly. You can try it 10 times for free first.
Can I self-host AFFiNE?
Technically yes, with Docker Compose. The server license requires an Enterprise Edition subscription for production use, so check what is allowed first if you use it for business.
Can I bring my notes over from Notion or Obsidian?
Yes, since version 0.27 there are import features for Notion, Obsidian, Bear and OneNote.