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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Roam Research alternatives

Roam Research compared with 12 alternatives: Logseq, Obsidian, Tana Outliner, Reflect, Capacities and 7 more.

Roam Research is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month). 11 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Roam ResearchThis toolFree trial · from $15/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, iOS
LogseqFree plan · from $5/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Tana OutlinerFree plan · from $8/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
ReflectFree plan · from $9.99/moYesmacOS, iOS, Browser extension
CapacitiesFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
DynalistFree plan · from $7.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
RelanoteFree plan · from $4.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
RemNoteFree plan · from $8/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ScrintalFree trial · from $9/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows
SupernotesFree plan · from £6/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
TheBrainFree plan · from $15/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
WorkflowyFree plan · from $6.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

How each one differs from Roam Research

  1. Logseq

    Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files

    • Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Logseq has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Logseq lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Logseq is open source, according to its own site.
    • Logseq also covers Markdown and whiteboard.

    Suits: People who think in outlines and want their notes as plain-text files

    Logseq vs Roam ResearchLogseq pricing and details

  2. 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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Obsidian has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.

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

    Obsidian vs Roam ResearchObsidian pricing and details

  3. Tana Outliner

    Outliner with supertags, daily notes and built-in AI features

    • Tana Outliner starts at $8 per month, billed yearly. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Tana Outliner has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Tana Outliner lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Tana Outliner also covers meeting notes and tasks.

    Suits: People who want structured notes built from typed objects with fields

    Tana Outliner vs Roam ResearchTana Outliner pricing and details

  4. 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. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Reflect has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Reflect lists a browser extension.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.
    • Reflect is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Mac users who want free, open-source notes kept as plain Markdown files

    Reflect vs Roam ResearchReflect pricing and details

  5. Capacities

    Object-based note-taking app with daily notes and backlinks

    • Capacities starts at $9.99 per month, billed yearly. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Capacities has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Capacities lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Capacities lists a browser extension.
    • Capacities also covers web clipper.

    Suits: People who organize notes around people, books and projects rather than folders

    Capacities vs Roam ResearchCapacities pricing and details

  6. Dynalist

    Outlining app for nested lists, notes and tasks

    • Dynalist starts at $7.99 per month, billed annually ($95.88 per year). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Dynalist has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Dynalist lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Dynalist lists a browser extension.
    • Dynalist also covers Markdown, web clipper and tasks.

    Suits: People who think in outlines and nested bullet lists

    Dynalist vs Roam ResearchDynalist pricing and details

  7. Relanote

    Linked note-taking in the browser with AI writing and chat tools

    • Relanote starts at $4.99 per month, or $49 per year if paid annually. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Relanote has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Relanote lists an Android app.
    • Only Roam Research lists a macOS app.
    • Relanote also covers chat assistant.

    Suits: Students and researchers building a linked set of notes on a topic

    Relanote vs Roam ResearchRelanote pricing and details

  8. RemNote

    Note-taking app with built-in flashcards and spaced repetition

    • RemNote starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • RemNote has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only RemNote lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only RemNote lists a browser extension.
    • RemNote also covers databases, web clipper and templates.

    Suits: Students who want notes and flashcards in one app

    RemNote vs Roam ResearchRemNote pricing and details

  9. Scrintal

    Visual note-taking on an infinite canvas of linked docs

    • Scrintal starts at $9 per month, billed annually ($108 per year). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Only Scrintal lists a Windows app.
    • Only Roam Research lists an iOS app.
    • Scrintal also covers whiteboard, templates and research.
    • Roam Research also covers daily notes.

    Suits: Students and researchers mapping reading notes visually

    Scrintal vs Roam ResearchScrintal pricing and details

  10. Supernotes

    Collaborative note-taking built on short, linkable notecards

    • Supernotes starts at £6 per month, billed annually (£72). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Supernotes has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Supernotes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Supernotes also covers Markdown.
    • Roam Research also covers daily notes.

    Suits: People who prefer short, atomic notes to long documents

    Supernotes vs Roam ResearchSupernotes pricing and details

  11. TheBrain

    Visual knowledge network linking notes, files and web links

    • TheBrain starts at $15 per month, billed at $180 per year (Pro Service). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • TheBrain has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only TheBrain lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • TheBrain also covers Markdown and mind mapping.
    • Roam Research also covers daily notes.

    Suits: People who organize ideas as a network instead of folders

    TheBrain vs Roam ResearchTheBrain pricing and details

  12. Workflowy

    Outliner that keeps notes, to-dos and plans in one nested list

    • Workflowy starts at $6.99 per month, billed annually (Pro). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Workflowy has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Workflowy lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Workflowy lists a browser extension.
    • Workflowy also covers tasks and kanban boards.

    Suits: People who think in outlines and nested lists

    Workflowy vs Roam ResearchWorkflowy pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Roam Research

  • There is no free plan; after the 31-day trial a paid subscription is required.
  • The lowest monthly-equivalent price, the Believer plan, is a single $500 payment covering 5 years.
  • The local API used by the official MCP server and CLI works only in the desktop app, not the web version.
Roam Research pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Roam Research?

The alternatives to Roam Research in this directory are Logseq, Obsidian, Tana Outliner, Reflect, Capacities, Dynalist, Relanote, RemNote, Scrintal, Supernotes, TheBrain and Workflowy. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Roam Research.

Is there a free alternative to Roam Research?

Yes. Logseq, Obsidian, Tana Outliner, Reflect, Capacities, Dynalist, Relanote, RemNote, Supernotes, TheBrain and Workflowy have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Roam Research alternatives work on Windows?

The Roam Research listing does not include a Windows app. Logseq, Obsidian, Tana Outliner, Capacities, Dynalist, RemNote, Scrintal, Supernotes, TheBrain and Workflowy list one.

Which Roam Research alternatives work on Linux?

The Roam Research listing does not include a Linux app. Logseq, Obsidian, Tana Outliner, Capacities, Dynalist, RemNote, Supernotes, TheBrain and Workflowy list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Roam Research?

Logseq and Reflect are described as open source on their own sites.

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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