Notability alternatives · Note-Taking
Self-hosted alternatives to Notability
The Notability listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 20 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be self-hosted, 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.
20 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to Notability
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Anytype
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data
- Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Anytype lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 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 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 $5.99/mo
Blinko
AI-assisted card notes, self-hosted or on Blinko Cloud
- Blinko starts at $5.99 per month, billed monthly (Blinko Cloud Pro). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Blinko lists a Linux app.
- Only Notability lists an iOS app.
- Blinko is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Free
NoteDiscovery
Self-hosted Markdown knowledge base that runs in the browser
- NoteDiscovery is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notability lists iOS, macOS, Windows and Android apps.
- NoteDiscovery is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Joplin
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose
- Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Joplin lists a Linux app.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Standard Notes lists a Linux app.
- Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
- Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Notesnook lists a Linux app.
- Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
- Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free
Trilium Notes
Free, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base
- Trilium Notes is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only Trilium Notes lists a Linux app.
- Only Trilium Notes lists a browser extension.
- Only Notability lists iOS and Android apps.
- Free plan · from $64 one-time
SiYuan
Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks
- SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
- Only SiYuan lists a Linux app.
- Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
- SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
8 more that can be self-hosted
All 20 in one tableCommon questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Notability?
Yes. Anytype, AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Lockbook, Linwood Butterfly, Blinko, NoteDiscovery, Joplin and 12 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Notability be self-hosted?
The Notability listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 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.