AppFlowy

AppFlowy is an open source, privacy-first workspace tool designed as an alternative to Notion. Built with Flutter and Rust, AppFlowy provides a rich set of productivity features including documents, databases, boards, grids, calendars, and wikis, while giving users complete control over their data through local-first storage and self-hosting options.

The fundamental motivation behind AppFlowy is data ownership. Unlike cloud-first tools where data is stored on third-party servers, AppFlowy stores data locally on the user's device by default. This means that the data is always accessible, even without an internet connection, and it never leaves the user's control unless they explicitly choose to sync it to a self-hosted server or the AppFlowy Cloud service. For individuals and organizations with strict data privacy requirements, this local-first architecture is a significant advantage.

AppFlowy's document editing experience is rich and flexible. The editor supports headings, paragraphs, bullet lists, numbered lists, toggle lists, callout blocks, code blocks, equations, dividers, images, links, and more. Documents can be organized in a hierarchical sidebar, making it easy to navigate large knowledge bases with dozens or hundreds of pages.

The database capabilities in AppFlowy allow users to create structured data collections with multiple view types. The Grid view presents data in a spreadsheet format with typed columns including text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, single/multi-select, media, and relation fields. The Board view provides a Kanban-style interface for managing items through workflow stages. The Calendar view organizes items by date. Multiple views can be created for the same underlying data, allowing different team members to interact with the same information in the way that suits them best.

Task management is integrated naturally into AppFlowy through its database and document capabilities. Teams can create project boards, track deadlines with calendar views, assign tasks to team members, and link related documents and tasks together. The combination of flexible databases and rich text documents in a single workspace covers a broad range of project management needs.

The AI integration features in AppFlowy allow users to leverage large language models to write, summarize, brainstorm, and transform content directly within the editor. These AI features can be connected to cloud-hosted models or to locally hosted models via Ollama, aligning with the platform's commitment to user privacy and control.

AppFlowy supports real-time collaboration when connected to a self-hosted AppFlowy Cloud server or the managed cloud service. Multiple users can edit documents and databases simultaneously, with changes synchronized in real time. User management, workspace permissions, and sharing controls are available through the server administration interface.

The AppFlowy codebase is written in Flutter for the frontend, providing a consistent, native-feeling interface across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, and Rust for the backend core, ensuring high performance and memory safety. The active open source community contributes new plugins, templates, language translations, and bug fixes regularly.

For teams and individuals who want the functionality of Notion with the assurance of data ownership and the option to self-host, AppFlowy represents a mature and capable choice that continues to evolve rapidly.