AppFlowy: The Best Open-Source Alternative to Notion

What is AppFlowy? 📝

AppFlowy is an open-source, privacy-focused alternative to Notion. Built with Flutter and Rust, it provides a self-hosted and offline-capable workspace for managing notes, tasks, and databases. Unlike Notion, which is cloud-based and proprietary, AppFlowy allows users full control over their data, making it a great choice for privacy-conscious individuals and businesses.

Key Features of AppFlowy ⭐

✅ Self-Hosted & Private – Full control over data, stored on your own server or device.
✅ Offline Support – Works without an internet connection.
✅ Cross-Platform – Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
✅ Modular & Customizable – Open-source with the ability to add or modify features.
✅ Markdown Support – Write and edit using Markdown.
✅ Task & Database Management – Organize notes, projects, and tasks.
✅ Custom Domain Hosting – Deploy on your own VPS with a custom domain.
✅ Collaboration (Upcoming) – Planned real-time team collaboration.

AppFlowy vs. Notion vs. Other Alternatives 🔍

How to Download AppFlowy ⬇️

You can download AppFlowy from the official GitHub repository: 👉 GitHub Page
👉 Official Website

Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide ⚙️

1. Install AppFlowy on Windows

1️⃣ Download the latest Windows release from GitHub.
2️⃣ Extract the ZIP file.
3️⃣ Run the AppFlowy.exe file.
4️⃣ Follow the on-screen setup instructions.

2. Install AppFlowy on macOS

1️⃣ Download the macOS .dmg file from GitHub.
2️⃣ Open the .dmg file and drag AppFlowy to the Applications folder.
3️⃣ Open AppFlowy from Launchpad.

3. Install AppFlowy on Linux

Using AppImage (Recommended)

1️⃣ Download the .AppImage file from GitHub.
2️⃣ Make it executable:

chmod +x AppFlowy.AppImage

3️⃣ Run the application:

./AppFlowy.AppImage

Using Flatpak (Alternative)

1️⃣ Install Flatpak if not already installed:

sudo apt install flatpak

2️⃣ Add the Flathub repository:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3️⃣ Install AppFlowy:

flatpak install flathub io.appflowy.AppFlowy

4️⃣ Run AppFlowy:

flatpak run io.appflowy.AppFlowy

How to Self-Host AppFlowy on Your Own Domain 🌍

Prerequisites

✅ A VPS running Ubuntu 24+
✅ A registered domain name (e.g., app.yourdomain.com)
✅ Docker & Docker Compose installed
✅ Nginx as a reverse proxy (optional)

Step 1: Clone the Repository

cd /opt
sudo git clone https://github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy.git
cd AppFlowy

Step 2: Build and Run AppFlowy with Docker

docker compose up -d

Step 3: Configure Nginx Reverse Proxy

Edit the Nginx config:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/appflowy

Add the following:

server {
    server_name app.yourdomain.com;
    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:8080;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Save and enable the config:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/appflowy /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 4: Secure with SSL (Let’s Encrypt)

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d app.yourdomain.com

Your self-hosted AppFlowy is now accessible at https://app.yourdomain.com 🎉

How to Use AppFlowy 🏗️

1️⃣ Create a New Workspace – On first launch, set up a new workspace.
2️⃣ Organize Your Notes – Use folders and pages to structure your information.
3️⃣ Use Databases – Create tables and manage structured data.
4️⃣ Markdown & Formatting – Write efficiently using Markdown syntax.
5️⃣ Manage Tasks – Track tasks and projects with to-do lists.

Conclusion 🎯

AppFlowy is an excellent Notion alternative for those who want a self-hosted, privacy-respecting workspace. With features like offline mode, Markdown support, custom domain hosting, and modular design, it’s a powerful tool for productivity.

🔗 Try it today: AppFlowy GitHub

What do you think of AppFlowy? Let us know in the comments! 💬

About EngineerHow.com 🌍

EngineerHow.com provides in-depth tutorials on IT, networking, VPS setup, self-hosting, and civil engineering. Follow us for step-by-step guides on open-source applications and server configurations.

📌 Stay Updated: Bookmark EngineerHow.com for more tutorials!

📢 Your Feedback Matters! Did you find this guide helpful? Drop a comment below! 👇