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AFFiNE is a hyper–fused platform for writing, drawing, and planning. It allows users to consolidate their workflow and avoid switching between different tools. AFFiNE is free for individuals, but there are commercial and team usage fees.

AFFiNE offers a more integrated and all–in–one solution for writing, drawing, and planning, making it a better choice for users who want to avoid switching between multiple tools. Unlike Notion, which focuses primarily on note–taking and project management, AFFiNE provides a more comprehensive platform that combines these functionalities with additional features like diagramming and whiteboarding. This can streamline workflows and improve efficiency for teams that need a versatile and integrated solution.

Why to use it?

• Real-time collaboration: Work seamlessly with your team in real-time, sharing documents and making changes concurrently.
• Flexible workspace: Organize your workspaces into project-based boards, allowing for easy navigation and management.
• Rich text editing: Enjoy a full-featured text editor for creating and formatting documents with ease.
• Diagramming and whiteboarding: Visualize ideas and concepts using a variety of diagramming and whiteboarding tools.
• Task management: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress within your workspace.
• Knowledge base: Create a centralized repository for storing and organizing information.
• Integrations: Connect AFFiNE with your favorite tools and services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Slack.

Source: Affine

Before diving into any details about Anytype, let me just say: as a design agency, we have a deep appreciation for great design. We’re constantly inspired by the websites we come across, and I have to admit, Anytype stands out as having one of the most impressive landing pages in our top 10 list.
Anytype is a new productivity app designed to give users control over their data and privacy. It features local–first data storage, offline–first functionality, and a block–based editor. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

Anytype offers a more privacy–focused and flexible approach to productivity, making it a better choice for users who value control over their data. Unlike Notion, which is a cloud–based platform, Anytype prioritizes local–first data storage, ensuring your information remains private and secure. Additionally, Anytype’s block–based editor provides a more customizable and intuitive way to organize your content, compared to Notion’s more traditional note–taking structure.

Why to use it?

• Local–first data storage: Keep your data private and secure by storing it locally on your devices.
• Offline–first functionality: Work seamlessly even without an internet connection.
• Block–based editor: Create and organize your content using flexible blocks that can be rearranged and nested.
• Customizable templates: Use pre–built templates or create your own to streamline your workflow.
• Encrypted data: Protect your sensitive information with end–to–end encryption.
• Cross–platform compatibility: Access your data and work from any device, including iOS and Android.

Source: Anytype

AppFlowy is an AI–powered workspace that helps users collaborate on projects, wikis, and bring teams together. It uses artificial intelligence to help users be more productive without compromising data privacy.

AppFlowy offers a more AI–focused approach to collaboration and productivity, making it a better choice for teams that want to leverage AI to streamline their workflows. Unlike Notion, which primarily relies on manual organization and task management, AppFlowy incorporates AI–powered features to automate tasks, suggest improvements, and provide insights. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, especially for larger teams.

Why to use it?

• AI–powered workspace: Leverage artificial intelligence to streamline your workflow and boost productivity.
• Project management: Plan, organize, and track your projects with ease.
• Wiki collaboration: Create and manage shared knowledge bases with your team.
• Team chat: Communicate and collaborate effectively with your team members.
• Document creation: Create and edit various types of documents, including notes, articles, and reports.
• Data privacy: Protect your sensitive information with robust security measures.

Source: Appflowy

Bear is a beautiful and powerful note–taking app designed to capture, write, and organize your thoughts and ideas. It offers a clean and minimalist interface that prioritizes simplicity and flexibility.

Bear’s minimalist and intuitive interface makes it a better choice for users who prefer a distraction–free note–taking experience. Unlike Notion’s more complex and feature–rich approach, Bear focuses on providing a clean and simple environment for capturing and organizing thoughts. This simplicity can be particularly beneficial for writers and individuals who value a minimalist workspace.

Why to use it?

• Markdown support: Write and format your notes using intuitive Markdown syntax.
• Tag–based organization: Organize your notes with a flexible tagging system instead of rigid folders.
• Rich text editing: Enhance your notes with images, checklists, tables, and sketches.
• Multi–platform availability: Access your notes seamlessly across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
• Offline functionality: Work on your notes even without an internet connection.
• Export options: Export your notes in various formats like PDF, HTML, and DOCX (Pro version only).
• Encryption: Protect your private notes with password encryption (Pro version only).
• Search functionality: Quickly find specific notes using powerful search tools, including searching within PDFs and images (Pro version only).

Source: bear.app

Capacities is a tool for organizing information in a more intuitive way. It uses objects such as books, people, conversations, or ideas, rather than folders and hierarchies. This allows users to connect pieces of information in a more fluid way. Capacities also offers a variety of features, including a powerful search function, the ability to quickly capture content, and an AI assistant.

Capacities offers a more intuitive and flexible approach to organizing information, making it a better choice for those who struggle with traditional folder–based systems. Unlike Notion, which relies heavily on hierarchical structures, Capacities uses a more fluid object–based system that allows for more natural connections between pieces of information. This can lead to a more efficient and creative workflow. Additionally, Capacities’ powerful search function and quick capture features make it easier to find and add information, further enhancing its usability. One of their cofounder made a good walk though video.

Why to use it?

• Intuitive organization: Organize information using objects like books, people, conversations, or ideas instead of folders and hierarchies.
• Fluid connections: Connect pieces of information in a more natural way to reflect how you think.
• Powerful search: Easily find the information you need with a powerful search function.
• Quick capture: Quickly capture content, such as notes, ideas, or links, with ease.
• AI assistant: Get help from an AI assistant that can answer your questions and suggest relevant information.

Source: Capacities

ClickUp is a project management software designed to streamline collaboration on tasks, documents, and projects. It helps teams of all sizes work together efficiently and get more done, faster. ClickUp offers a free plan for personal use, along with paid plans with additional features for larger teams.

ClickUp offers a more robust and feature–rich project management solution, making it a better choice for teams that need a centralized platform for managing tasks, documents, and workflows. Unlike Notion, which is more focused on note–taking and knowledge base management, ClickUp provides a dedicated set of tools for project planning, tracking, and collaboration. This makes it ideal for teams that require a more comprehensive project management solution.

Why to use it?

• Task management: Create, assign, and track tasks with ease.
• Project management: Plan, organize, and track projects from start to finish.
• Document collaboration: Create, edit, and share documents within your workspace.
• Time tracking: Monitor time spent on tasks and projects to improve efficiency.
• Customizable workflows: Tailor ClickUp to your team’s specific needs with customizable workflows.
• Integrations: Connect ClickUp with your favorite tools and services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Slack.

Source: Clickup

Craft is a note–taking and organization app that lets you capture and store all your ideas in one place. It’s available across multiple devices and platforms, offering features to help you organize your notes, tasks, and reminders. Craft even includes some AI–powered features, like summarization and translation.

Craft provides a more intuitive and user–friendly experience for note–taking and organization, making it a better choice for those who value simplicity and ease of use. Unlike Notion, which can be overwhelming for some users due to its extensive feature set, Craft offers a more streamlined approach with a focus on core note–taking and organization features. Additionally, Craft’s AI–powered features, such as summarization and translation, can enhance productivity and streamline workflows.

Why to use it?

• Note–taking: Capture and organize your ideas, notes, and thoughts.
• Task management: Create, assign, and track tasks to stay organized.
• Reminders: Set reminders to stay on top of important deadlines and events.
• Cross–platform compatibility: Access your notes and tasks from any device, including your computer, phone, and tablet.
• AI–powered features: Leverage AI to summarize text, translate languages, and more.

Source: Craft

Logseq is an open–source knowledge base that prioritizes privacy. It helps you organize your thoughts and ideas in a way that fosters creativity and new connections. Logseq is designed to be a future–proof way to store your interests, questions, ideas, favorite quotes, reminders, and notes from reading and meetings.

Logseq offers a more flexible and customizable approach to knowledge management, making it a better fit for users who prioritize privacy and control over their data. Unlike Notion, which is a proprietary cloud–based platform, Logseq is open–source and allows you to store your notes locally. This provides greater flexibility and ensures you’re not locked into a specific platform. Additionally, Logseq’s graph–based structure and markdown support offer a more intuitive and customizable way to organize and visualize your thoughts.

Why to use it?

• Open–source and privacy–focused: Take control of your data with Logseq’s open–source and privacy–focused approach.
• Knowledge base: Organize your thoughts, ideas, and notes in a structured and interconnected manner.
• Graph database: Visualize the connections between your ideas and notes through a graph–based structure.
• Markdown support: Create and format your content using Markdown syntax.
• Customization: Customize Logseq to fit your workflow and preferences with various themes and plugins.
• Cross–platform compatibility: Access your knowledge base from any device, including your computer, phone, and tablet.

NiftyPM is a project management software designed to streamline collaboration for teams. It provides a central hub for teams to manage roadmaps, tasks, discussions, documents, forms, and reporting. NiftyPM is known for its flexibility and caters to teams of all sizes.

NiftyPM offers a more comprehensive set of features for project management, making it a better choice for teams that need a versatile and customizable solution. Unlike Notion, which leans more towards note–taking and knowledge base management, Nifty provides a dedicated platform for managing tasks, roadmaps, and team collaboration. This makes it ideal for teams that require a more robust project management tool.

Why to use it?

• Project management: Plan, organize, and track your projects effectively.
• Task management: Create, assign, and track tasks to ensure deadlines are met.
• Roadmapping: Visualize your project roadmap and prioritize tasks.
• Collaboration tools: Collaborate seamlessly with your team through discussions, documents, and forms.
• Reporting and analytics: Track project progress and performance with detailed reports and analytics.
• Customization: Tailor Nifty to your team’s specific needs with customizable workflows and settings.

Source: Nifty

Obsidian is a note–taking app that is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the way you think. It stores your notes locally on your device, so you can access them even when you’re offline. Obsidian also uses an open and non–proprietary file format, so you’re never locked in and can easily export your notes if needed. With a vast plugin and theme ecosystem, Obsidian can be customized to fit your specific workflow.

Obsidian is a better alternative to Notion because it offers more flexibility and control over your data. With Obsidian, you can store your notes locally on your device, so you’re not reliant on a cloud–based service. Obsidian also uses an open file format, so you’re never locked in and can easily export your notes if needed. Finally, Obsidian’s vast plugin and theme ecosystem allows you to customize it to fit your specific workflow, whereas Notion’s features are more limited.

Why to use it?

• Local–first storage: Keep your notes private and secure by storing them locally on your device.
• Open file format: Export your notes in various formats and maintain full control over your data.
• Link–based organization: Connect your notes using internal links to create a flexible and interconnected knowledge base.
• Customization: Customize Obsidian with various themes, plugins, and templates to fit your workflow.
• Markdown support: Create and format your notes using Markdown syntax.
• Graph view: Visualize the connections between your notes through a graph–based view.

Source: Obsidian