AFFiNE

Notes & Knowledge

A local-first workspace combining documents, whiteboards, and databases, starting with offline desktop use.

Use with conditions

Official website Repository

Last updatedRelease 2026-08-18

Open source licenseMIT + MPL-2.0 / AFFiNE EE (depending on directory and edition)

PlatformsWindows 10+ · macOS 11+ · Linux · iOS · Android · Web

DeploymentDesktop / Mobile / Web

About this project

AFFiNE combines documents, whiteboards, and tables in a workspace for knowledge bases, wikis, presentations, and other material. A page supports continuous writing, while an edgeless canvas arranges content spatially. The same environment can therefore contain both narrative documents and visual arrangements of related information, rather than requiring every idea to follow a single page structure.

Available content includes rich text, sticky notes, embedded pages, shapes, linked pages, and databases with multiple views. Material can also be arranged as slides. The repository describes AI-assisted writing, outline-to-presentation workflows, article mind maps, and task planning. These features build on the underlying ability to combine, connect, and present different kinds of content blocks.

The official introduction offers three entry points: a browser application, desktop downloads, and self-hosting on your own devices. Each has a separate link and follow-up documentation. Opening the hosted application, installing a desktop client, and operating a server are different steps; choosing one does not by itself configure the others or establish a complete collaboration service.

AFFiNE official repository README AFFiNE Docs — Get Started

Decision guide

Why it is worth a look

Documents and whiteboards share content blocks
Local desktop use requires no account
Installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Before you use it

Mixed licensing; the entire repository should not be described as MIT
Cloud storage, collaboration, and enterprise capabilities have service or edition boundaries
Use Stable for daily work; Beta and Canary are testing versions

Manual setupLow

With an AI agentLow

DeploymentDesktop / Mobile / Web

Additional requirementsNot verified

Use a supported operating system; Have permission to install local applications; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

What it can do

Documents and an edgeless whiteboard
Rich text, sticky notes, shapes, and linked pages
Databases with multiple views
Local offline reading and writing
Optional cloud synchronization and collaboration

Who it fits

Good for

Combining written notes with visual planning; Prioritizing offline desktop use

Not a fit

Requiring unrestricted use of all backend and enterprise code

Getting started

Choose a Stable desktop installer from the official download page
Create a local workspace and try documents and whiteboards
Check cloud plans before enabling synchronization; self-hosting requires a separate deployment-license review

Alternatives to consider

What it takes

Getting startedLow

Ongoing maintenanceLow

Failure impactModerate

Knowledge neededLow

Not selected for comparison.

Get help from an AI agent

DeploymentDesktop / Mobile / Web

Additional requirementsNot verified

With an AI agentLow

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  "project": "AFFiNE",
  "decision": "Use with conditions",
  "purpose": "A local-first workspace combining documents, whiteboards, and databases, starting with offline desktop use.",
  "repository": "https://github.com/toeverything/AFFiNE",
  "official_site": "https://affine.pro/",
  "deploy_shape": "Desktop / Mobile / Web",
  "additional_dependencies": "Use a supported operating system; Have permission to install local applications; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.",
  "direct_setup": "Easy: use the official graphical installer",
  "ai_assisted_setup": "Easy: AI can explain platform choices, settings, and errors; successful troubleshooting is not guaranteed",
  "operational_burden": "Low: update regularly and independently back up personal data",
  "operational_risk": "Moderate: back up important data before importing or synchronizing",
  "knowledge_requirement": "Low: basic knowledge of installing applications, managing files, and backups",
  "license": "MIT + MPL-2.0 / AFFiNE EE (depending on directory and edition)",
  "install_steps": [
    "Choose a Stable desktop installer from the official download page",
    "Create a local workspace and try documents and whiteboards",
    "Check cloud plans before enabling synchronization; self-hosting requires a separate deployment-license review"
  ],
  "good_for": "Combining written notes with visual planning; Prioritizing offline desktop use",
  "avoid_if": "Requiring unrestricted use of all backend and enterprise code"
}