AFFiNE

What AFFiNE does

AFFiNE combines three tools that are usually separate: a block-based document editor, an infinite whiteboard and simple databases. Any document can be viewed as a page or switched to Edgeless mode, where the same content is laid out on an infinite canvas. Databases can be embedded in documents and shown as a table or a kanban board. Docs can be linked, grouped into collections and given properties.

The project calls itself an open source alternative to Notion and Miro. It is local-first: the desktop app works offline and without an account, and a server, either AFFiNE Cloud or your own, adds real-time sync and collaboration. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, alongside the web app.

AFFiNE AI covers writing help, chat, mind maps and slide generation. On a self-hosted server you supply your own API keys for providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini or FAL.

Licensing and editions

The licensing is split, so it is worth reading. The root license says everything outside packages/backend and packages/common/native is MIT. Those two directories point to an “AFFiNE Enterprise Edition” license that requires a paid subscription for production use, but that license also states it covers only parts not distributed as Community Edition, and that Community Edition parts and client code are under MPL-2.0. The README describes the Community Edition as free to self-host and says the Enterprise Edition, with rebranding, SSO and audit features, is not yet published. Contributors must sign a contributor license agreement.

Self-hosting AFFiNE

The documented and recommended method is Docker Compose; the README also has one-click buttons for Render and Sealos. A deployment runs the Node.js (NestJS) server with PostgreSQL, which is the only supported database, Redis and blob storage on disk or in object storage. The docs recommend at least four CPU cores and 2 GB of RAM for basic use, or 4 GB for documents beyond about 10,000 words, plus roughly 1.5 GB of disk before your data. Desktop apps can connect to a self-hosted server, which includes an admin panel, OAuth 2.0 login, email notifications and a search indexer.

Self-hosted workspaces are capped at 10 seats. More seats need a Team plan subscription or an installable license for networks that cannot reach AFFiNE’s servers. The docs also say self-hosted blob storage is currently subject to a quota, with unlimited storage planned.

Hosted version

AFFiNE Cloud is run by the developers. The pricing page lists a free plan for individuals and paid plans for more storage and for teams.

Limitations

The 10-seat cap on self-hosted workspaces means larger teams pay even when they run the server themselves. Database views are limited to table and kanban for now; calendar, timeline and gallery views are listed as planned. The split license is harder to assess than a single license.

Who it suits

AFFiNE suits individuals and small teams who want documents and whiteboards side by side, apps on every platform and the option to run their own server. Teams that mainly need a structured knowledge base should also look at Docmost; those who want Notion-style databases in a native app can compare AppFlowy, keeping its closed-source server in mind.