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Alternatives · Note-Taking

NoteGen alternatives

NoteGen compared with 5 alternatives: Blinko, SiYuan, Obsidian, AFFiNE and Memos.

NoteGen is free to use. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
NoteGenThis toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
BlinkoFree plan · from $5.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
SiYuanFree plan · from $64 one-timeYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
AFFiNEFree plan · from $6.75/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
MemosFreeFreeWeb, Browser extension

How each one differs from NoteGen

  1. Blinko

    AI-assisted card notes, self-hosted or on Blinko Cloud

    • Blinko starts at $5.99 per month, billed monthly (Blinko Cloud Pro). NoteGen is free.
    • Only Blinko lists a web app.
    • Only NoteGen lists an iOS app.
    • Only NoteGen lists a browser extension.
    • Blinko is self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: Capturing short thoughts quickly and sorting them out later

    Blinko vs NoteGenBlinko pricing and details

  2. SiYuan

    Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). NoteGen is free.
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • SiYuan is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • SiYuan also covers linked notes and databases.
    • NoteGen also covers Markdown, whiteboard and web clipper.

    Suits: People who want notes stored on their own device and usable offline

    SiYuan vs NoteGenSiYuan pricing and details

  3. Obsidian

    Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device

    • Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). NoteGen is free.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • NoteGen is open source, according to its own site.
    • Obsidian also covers linked notes.
    • NoteGen also covers web clipper.

    Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control

    Obsidian vs NoteGenObsidian pricing and details

  4. AFFiNE

    Open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases

    • AFFiNE starts at $6.75 per month, billed annually. NoteGen is free.
    • Only AFFiNE lists a web app.
    • AFFiNE is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • AFFiNE also covers databases.
    • NoteGen also covers notes, Markdown and web clipper.

    Suits: People who want documents and a whiteboard in the same workspace

    AFFiNE vs NoteGenAFFiNE pricing and details

  5. Memos

    Open-source, self-hosted timeline of short Markdown notes

    • Memos is free. NoteGen is free.
    • Only Memos lists a web app.
    • Only NoteGen lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS apps.
    • Memos is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Memos also covers linked notes.

    Suits: Self-hosters who want quick notes on a server they control

    Memos vs NoteGenMemos pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in NoteGen

  • The README labels the desktop apps Beta and the mobile apps Alpha: Android is an ARM64 APK download and iOS is distributed through TestFlight.
  • The macOS app is not signed, and the download page gives Terminal commands to run if macOS reports it as damaged.
  • AI features rely on built-in free models or a provider you configure, and the docs note that data sent to an online model leaves the device.
  • The self-hosted sync server is marked experimental, and the site warns against treating an instance as the only copy of important data.
NoteGen pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to NoteGen?

The alternatives to NoteGen in this directory are Blinko, SiYuan, Obsidian, AFFiNE and Memos. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with NoteGen.

Is there a free alternative to NoteGen?

Yes. Memos is free to use. Blinko, SiYuan, Obsidian and AFFiNE have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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