Notability alternatives · Note-Taking
Open-source alternatives to Notability
Notability is not described as open source on its own site. 50 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.
Notability has a free plan. Paid plans start at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). All of them are free or have a free plan.
50 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to Notability
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Reflect
Open-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown
- Reflect starts at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Reflect lists a browser extension.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
- Free plan · from $6/mo
AppFlowy
Open-core workspace for docs, wikis and projects you can self-host
- AppFlowy starts at $6 / month, billed annually (self-hosted One); cloud Pro is $16 per member. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only AppFlowy lists a Linux app.
- AppFlowy is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $6.75/mo
AFFiNE
Open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases
- AFFiNE starts at $6.75 per month, billed annually. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only AFFiNE lists a Linux app.
- Only AFFiNE lists a browser extension.
- AFFiNE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free
Tolaria
Free, open-source desktop app for Markdown knowledge bases
- Tolaria is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Tolaria lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists iOS and Android apps.
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
FSNotes
Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone
- FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Lockbook
Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing
- Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Lockbook lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free
Linwood Butterfly
Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas
- Linwood Butterfly is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Linwood Butterfly lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists an iOS app.
- Linwood Butterfly is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
GitJournal
Mobile Markdown notes app that syncs through any Git repository
- GitJournal starts at $1.99 per month in installments, or $31.99 one-time (US App Store minimums). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists macOS and Windows apps.
- GitJournal is open source, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $14.99 one-time
MiaoYan
Native Mac Markdown notes app with a split editor and preview
- MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
- Free
VNote
Free desktop Markdown note-taking app with plain-file notebooks
- VNote is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only VNote lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists iOS and Android apps.
- Free
NoteGen
Open-source Markdown notes app that organizes captures with AI
- NoteGen is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only NoteGen lists a Linux app.
- Only NoteGen lists a browser extension.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Free
Zavala
Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Zavala is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
- Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
38 more that are open source
- Blinko
- NoteDiscovery
- QOwnNotes
- Stylus Labs Write
- DeepNotes
- MindForger
- Logseq
- Joplin
- Simplenote
- Standard Notes
- Notesnook
- Trilium Notes
- SiYuan
- TiddlyWiki
- Xournal++
- Memos
- Tangent Notes
- Beaver Notes
- Cryptee
- Mimiri Notes
- FUTO Notes
- Saber
- Rnote
- Orgzly Revived
- Markor
- Quillpad
- Fossify Notes
- NotallyX
- Notenik
- Bangle.io
- SilverBullet
- flatnotes
- Jotty
- CherryTree
- Zim
- KeyNote NF
- TreeSheets
- Marknote
Common questions
Is there an open-source alternative to Notability?
Yes. Reflect, AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Tolaria, FSNotes, Lockbook, Linwood Butterfly, GitJournal and 42 more are open source, according to their own sites.
Is Notability open source?
Notability is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Notability: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.