Alternatives · Note-Taking
The Archive alternatives
The Archive compared with 7 alternatives: FSNotes, Obsidian, Understory, Notenik, Logseq and 2 more.
The Archive is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19.99 one-time purchase. All 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ArchiveThis tool | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| FSNotes | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Obsidian | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Understory | Free plan · from $24.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| Notenik | Free | Free | macOS |
| Logseq | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| MiaoYan | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Tangent Notes | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from The Archive
- 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. The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- FSNotes has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FSNotes lists an iOS app.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
- The Archive also covers linked notes.
Suits: Mac and iPhone users who want notes kept as plain Markdown files
- Free plan · from $4/mo
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). The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- Obsidian has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
- Free plan · from $24.99 one-time
Understory
Mac notes app for outlining and drafting essays, papers and books
- Understory starts at $24.99 one-time purchase. The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- Understory has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Understory also covers long-form writing.
Suits: Students and researchers turning reading notes into a paper
- Free
Notenik
Free Mac notes app with Markdown, custom fields and outlining
- Notenik is free. The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- Notenik has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Notenik is open source, according to its own site.
- The Archive can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Notenik also covers tasks.
Suits: Mac users who want notes kept as plain text files they control
- Free plan · from $5/mo
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. The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- Logseq has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Logseq lists a web app.
- Only Logseq lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Logseq is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who think in outlines and want their notes as plain-text files
- 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). The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- MiaoYan has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only MiaoYan lists an iOS app.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
- MiaoYan also covers presentations.
Suits: Mac users who want to write Markdown source with a live preview beside it
- Free
Tangent Notes
Open-source Markdown notes app that maps the path between notes
- Tangent Notes is free. The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase.
- Tangent Notes has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Tangent Notes lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Tangent Notes is open source, according to its own site.
- The Archive can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who follow links from note to note and want to keep their place
Limits worth knowing in The Archive
- It is a Mac app only; the site lists no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version.
- There is no sync service of its own: notes sync only by keeping the folder in a cloud storage service.
- The developers plan a paid version 2 and say version 1 owners will get a discount on it.
- It ignores Finder tags on purpose; a separate converter turns them into #hashtags for notes coming from nvALT or DEVONthink.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to The Archive?
The alternatives to The Archive in this directory are FSNotes, Obsidian, Understory, Notenik, Logseq, MiaoYan and Tangent Notes. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with The Archive.
Is there a free alternative to The Archive?
Yes. Notenik and Tangent Notes are free to use. FSNotes, Obsidian, Understory, Logseq and MiaoYan have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which The Archive alternatives work on Windows?
The The Archive listing does not include a Windows app. Obsidian, Logseq and Tangent Notes list one.
Which The Archive alternatives work on Linux?
The The Archive listing does not include a Linux app. Obsidian, Logseq and Tangent Notes list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to The Archive?
FSNotes, Notenik, Logseq, MiaoYan and Tangent Notes 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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