The AFFiNE Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about AFFiNE in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
AFFiNE
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from AFFiNE’s own pages.
Made by Toeverything · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from AFFiNE’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on AFFiNE’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
AFFiNE is a local-first workspace that puts documents, an infinite whiteboard called Edgeless and databases in one place. The desktop apps keep data on the device and work offline without an account, while the hosted AFFiNE Cloud adds sync and real-time collaboration. The editor and most of the code are MIT-licensed, and the full stack can be self-hosted under a separate license for the backend.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about AFFiNE, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The desktop app does at least open and work offline with no account, and hosting it yourself means Docker.
- 1
Best for docs and a whiteboard in one open source workspace
If you need it wired into other tools, look elsewhere.
- 2
Paid plans start at $6.75 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $6.75 per month, billed annually.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free: unlimited local workspaces, plus AFFiNE Cloud with 10 GB of storage, 10 MB per file, up to 3 members per workspace, 3 login devices and 7 days of version history.
- 4
It runs on 6 platforms
Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 5
Docs, whiteboards and databases together
Block-based documents, the Edgeless whiteboard and databases live in one workspace, used for wikis, mood boards, storyboards, project tasks and mind maps.
- 6
Local-first storage
The desktop apps run documents, databases and the whiteboard locally and fully offline, with no account required. Cloud sync is optional.
- 7
Cloud collaboration
AFFiNE Cloud adds real-time co-editing of documents and whiteboards, a notification center and version history: 7 days on Free, 30 days on Pro.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 50 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing AFFiNE does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
AFFiNE at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $6.75 per month, billed annually
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- Toeverything, since 2022
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for docs and a whiteboard in one open source workspace
AFFiNE puts documents, an endless whiteboard and databases in one workspace, and its desktop apps keep everything on your own machine and work offline with no account. Free cloud sync stops at 10 GB, 10 MB a file, 3 members and 3 login devices. The AI is a separate $8.9 a month on any plan, no integrations or API are listed, and self-hosting means Docker, with a license that allows only source review without a commercial agreement. If you need it wired into other tools, look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Pro is $6.75 a month billed annually, which sits between the middle of $6 and the dear end of $8.25 for note apps here, and buys 100 GB and 10 members a workspace. The AI isn't in it: that's another $8.9 a month. The $499.99 Believer lifetime plan is for fans. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Unlimited local workspaces with no account at all, plus a cloud tier with 10 GB and 3 members a workspace. The caps show once you sync: 10 MB a file, 3 login devices and 7 days of version history. |
| Features | B | It covers the whole job: block-based documents, the Edgeless whiteboard and databases in one workspace, working fully offline on desktop, with real-time co-editing and version history in the cloud, templates from Cornell notes to storyboards, and the option to host the lot yourself. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record, and this is a workspace, not a notepad: docs, databases and an infinite whiteboard take learning, and templates are there because a blank one is daunting. The desktop app does at least open and work offline with no account, and hosting it yourself means Docker. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Computer and both phones: web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and a browser extension. What's missing is the wiring. The listing shows no integrations and no API, so it doesn't talk to your other tools. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who AFFiNE is for
- Fits if you think in both pages and whiteboards and want them in one app
- Works for keeping notes on your own device, with cloud sync as an option
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you need it wired into other apps, as no integrations or API are listed
- Pricey if you want the AI, because it's $8.9 a month on top of Pro or Team
- Tight if you sign in on lots of devices or share widely, since free cloud stops at 3 devices and 3 members
- Watch out: the self-hosted backend's license allows source review only, without a commercial agreement
- Tight if you rely on history, as free cloud keeps 7 days of versions and Pro keeps 30
Good to know
Good for
- People who want documents and a whiteboard in the same workspace
- Users who want notes stored on their own device
- Teams looking to self-host a knowledge base
Worth knowing
- The Free cloud tier is capped at 10 GB of storage, 10 MB per file, 3 members per workspace and 3 login devices.
- AFFiNE AI is a separate add-on at $8.9 a month, billed annually, rather than part of the Pro or Team feature lists.
- The self-hosted backend uses the AFFiNE Enterprise Edition license, which allows source review only without a commercial agreement.
- The Believer Plan's lifetime license is for personal use.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$6.75
A month to start. There is a free plan too
AFFiNE has a free plan. Paid plans start at $6.75 per month, billed annually.
Free
$0
Listed as Local FOSS + Cloud Basic: unlimited local workspaces and editing, with 10 GB of cloud storage and up to 3 members per workspace.
Pro
$6.75
per month, billed annually
100 GB of cloud storage, 100 MB per file, up to 10 members per workspace and 30 days of version history.
AFFiNE AI
$8.9
per month, billed annually
Add-on that brings AI writing, rewriting, translation, mind maps and presentations into docs and whiteboards.
Team
$10
per seat / month, billed annually; $12 billed monthly
100 GB of storage plus 20 GB per seat, 500 MB per file, multiple admin roles and priority support. Also sold for self-hosted use.
Believer Plan
$499.99
one-time purchase
Lifetime personal use of everything in Pro, with 1 TB of cloud storage.
Enterprise
Custom
For 100+ seats and regulated industries: custom contract, dedicated contact, source code review and hybrid self-host and cloud options.
The free plan
Free: unlimited local workspaces, plus AFFiNE Cloud with 10 GB of storage, 10 MB per file, up to 3 members per workspace, 3 login devices and 7 days of version history.
Read from affine.pro on Oct 5, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Save 15% with annual billing
The pricing page states a 15% saving on annual billing. Team is $10 per seat a month billed annually or $12 billed monthly, and the App Store lists Pro at $7.99 monthly or $81 yearly.
Stated on affine.proLifetime license
Believer Plan lifetime license
A single $499.99 payment gives lifetime personal use of AFFiNE Pro with 1 TB of cloud storage and no subscription.
Stated on affine.pro
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “AFFiNE Pro Monthly”, against $7.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $9.99 | $7.02 | 12% less |
| Turkey | ₺349,99 | $7.12 | 11% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 129ribu | $7.21 | 10% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 499.00 | $7.94 | about the same |
| Mexico | $179.00 | $9.84 | 23% more |
| Brazil | R$ 49,90 | $9.97 | 25% more |
| Germany | 8,99 € | $10.07 | 26% more |
| United Kingdom | £7.99 | $10.56 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
7
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, local-first, AI features, real-time collaboration, databases, whiteboard.
Computer and both phones: web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and a browser extension.
- Docs, whiteboards and databases together
- Block-based documents, the Edgeless whiteboard and databases live in one workspace, used for wikis, mood boards, storyboards, project tasks and mind maps.
- Local-first storage
- The desktop apps run documents, databases and the whiteboard locally and fully offline, with no account required. Cloud sync is optional.
- Cloud collaboration
- AFFiNE Cloud adds real-time co-editing of documents and whiteboards, a notification center and version history: 7 days on Free, 30 days on Pro.
- AFFiNE AI
- A paid add-on that drafts and rewrites text, translates, fixes grammar, finds action items and turns outlines into mind maps or presentations (beta).
- Self-hosting
- The full stack can run on your own servers with Docker. Self-hosting is free for up to 10 seats per workspace, and a Team license adds more.
- Templates
- Ready-made templates include a digital planner, storyboard, Cornell notes, one-pager, checklist and vision board.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
AFFiNE is made by Toeverything, and has been around since 2022.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
50/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
AFFiNE's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
It stands best on features (B, above 100 of 147) and worst on ease of use (C, above 5).
Its paid plans start at $6.75 a month, against a middle price of $5.83 for the category: 40 of the 66 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 13 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. AFFiNE’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 16 of 147
- BFree plan and trialAbove 71 of 147
- BFeaturesAbove 100 of 147
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 147
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 147
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. AFFiNE is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing AFFiNE does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
It costs $81 a year. AFFiNE is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could not
- An endless canvas that stays smooth with hundreds of things on it.
- Databases with views, filters and links between them.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. AFFiNE’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Notion, Obsidian, AppFlowy, Anytype and Miro
The 5 tools AFFiNE is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
Notion
Free plan · from $10/mo
Workspace for docs, wikis, databases and projects with built-in AI.
- Only AFFiNE lists a Linux app.
- AFFiNE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- AFFiNE also covers whiteboard.
- 3.6GPA
Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device.
- Only AFFiNE lists a web app.
- AFFiNE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
AppFlowy
Free plan · from $6/mo
Open-core workspace for docs, wikis and projects you can self-host.
- Only AFFiNE lists a browser extension.
- AFFiNE also covers whiteboard.
- AppFlowy also covers wiki.
- 2.6GPA
Anytype
Free plan · from $4/mo
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data.
- Only AFFiNE lists a web app.
- Only AFFiNE lists a browser extension.
- AFFiNE is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
Miro
Free plan · from $8/mo
Online whiteboard for team brainstorming, diagrams and planning.
- Only AFFiNE lists a Linux app.
- Only AFFiNE lists a browser extension.
- AFFiNE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is AFFiNE free?
AFFiNE has a free plan. Free: unlimited local workspaces, plus AFFiNE Cloud with 10 GB of storage, 10 MB per file, up to 3 members per workspace, 3 login devices and 7 days of version history.
How much does AFFiNE cost?
AFFiNE lists 6 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does AFFiNE work on?
AFFiNE is available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.
Does AFFiNE offer any discounts?
AFFiNE publicly lists the following: Save 15% with annual billing; Believer Plan lifetime license.
Is AFFiNE open source?
Yes. AFFiNE is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes AFFiNE?
AFFiNE is made by Toeverything. It dates from 2022.
What are the alternatives to AFFiNE?
The closest alternatives to AFFiNE in our directory are Notion, Obsidian, AppFlowy, Anytype and Miro.
How does AFFiNE compare with other note-taking apps?
AFFiNE's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
Is AFFiNE good value for money?
ToolGPA grades AFFiNE C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $6.75 a month, against a middle price of $5.83 for the category: 40 of the 66 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of AFFiNE?
Nothing AFFiNE does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from AFFiNE’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from AFFiNE's own pages on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-09.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Toeverything. Prices change, so check affine.pro before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- AFFiNE, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/affine
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "AFFiNE: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/affine
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/affine/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after AFFiNE, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what AFFiNE’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. AFFiNE is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Toeverything. Prices and plans change: check affine.pro before you buy.