Browse / Alternatives / Notion
Notion alternatives for AI agents
8 alternatives to Notion. 8 have an interface an agent can drive. 6 are open source.
| Listing | License | Agent interface | Reach | Effort | Last activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookStack | MIT | API, from the builder | 9 of 10 jobs | Config only | Sep 2, 2026 |
| OpenKnowledge | GPL-3.0 | MCP server, from the builder | 8 of 10 jobs | Config only | Sep 3, 2026 |
| Outline | BUSL-1.1 | MCP server, from the builder | 7 of 10 jobs | Config only | Sep 3, 2026 |
| SiYuan | AGPL-3.0 | MCP server, from the builder | 9 of 10 jobs | Config only | Sep 3, 2026 |
| Trilium Notes | AGPL-3.0 | API and MCP server, from the builder | 8 of 10 jobs | Config only | Sep 3, 2026 |
| Anytype | Any Source Available License 1.0 | MCP server, from the builder | 5 of 9 jobs | Not adaptable | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Tolaria | AGPL-3.0 | MCP server, from the builder | 4 of 8 jobs | Not adaptable | Sep 3, 2026 |
| Logseq | AGPL-3.0 | MCP server, from the builder | 4 of 9 jobs | Not adaptable | Sep 3, 2026 |
BookStack
Opinionated documentation wiki (shelves, books, chapters, pages) with .env config and a token REST API.
Free
- you need an internal manual or client documentation site with roles and SSO, without a per-seat price
- you want an agent to write and file runbooks into books and chapters over a token API
- Diagrams (diagrams.net drawings) and WYSIWYG editing
- Primary development moved to codeberg.org/bookstack/bookstack; GitHub is a mirror, and issues go to Codeberg
- Needs PHP and MySQL/MariaDB; the docker-compose.yml in the repo is for development, and Docker images are community-maintained (linuxserver.io, solidnerd)
- API tokens need the Access System API permission; default rate limit 180 requests per minute
OpenKnowledge
WYSIWYG markdown knowledge-base editor that ships a 21-tool MCP server and skills for coding agents.
Free
- you keep specs and a team wiki as markdown in git and want agents to search, lint, and edit them with history
- you want an Obsidian-like editor that installs its own MCP and skills into Claude Code and Codex
- In-app AI chat and slides
1 more job is undetermined.
- GPL-3.0
- Semantic search sends content to the embeddings provider; off by default
- Every MCP call takes a cwd; a globally registered server needs it unless the client advertises one root
- Web app needs Node.js 24+ and git
Outline
Team knowledge base with a documented REST API and an in-repo MCP route, self-hostable under BUSL.
Self-hosted: Free · Starter: $10 per month · Team: $79 per month · Business: $249 per month
- your team needs a wiki with SSO and you want an agent to draft and file docs into the right collection
- you want Notion-style docs on your own Postgres without a per-seat bill
- Slack, GitHub, Linear, Notion integrations
- AI question answering
1 more job is undetermined.
- BUSL-1.1 Additional Use Grant forbids offering Outline as a Document Service to third parties; converts to Apache-2.0 on 2030-09-01
- Requires an external identity provider; there is no local email-and-password login
- Maintainers reject AI-generated pull requests (README)
- MCP tools are filtered by OAuth scopes; the client needs an OAuth token, not a plain API key
SiYuan
Block-based local-first knowledge base whose Go kernel ships a 30-plus tool MCP server and HTTP API.
Free · PRO Features: $64 lifetime · Subscription: $148 per year
- you want block references and databases like Notion, stored locally, with an agent that can query them by SQL
- you run a Docker kernel on your NAS and want daily notes written by an agent from the terminal
- Plugins and marketplace, AI writing UI
- AGPL-3.0
- Since v3.7.0 the Docker image needs an explicit serve subcommand
- Official cloud sync and some features are paid; third-party S3/WebDAV sync needs PRO Features
- Docker web UI is protected only by the access auth code unless OIDC is set
Trilium Notes
Hierarchical note tree with attributes and scripting, driven by the ETAPI REST API and an in-repo MCP route.
Free
- you want a deeply nested personal or team knowledge tree that an agent can populate through a stable REST API
- you outgrew flat markdown folders and want attributes, relations, and saved searches
- Scripting and widgets
- Sync and protected (encrypted) notes
- AGPL-3.0
- The desktop app and server versions must match for sync; disable auto-updates on the server when using TriliumDroid
- ETAPI needs a token created in the UI (Options > ETAPI) or from POST /etapi/auth/login with the instance password
- MCP route tool names were not read; they come from the core LLM tool registry (packages/core llm/tools)
Anytype
Local-first encrypted knowledge OS with an official MCP server (@anyproto/anytype-mcp) over its local API.
Free: Free · Paid memberships
- you want a Notion-like object database that stays encrypted on your devices and an agent that can file objects into it
- you need offline-first notes that sync peer-to-peer without a server you run
- Sync, encryption, and key management
- Publish pages to the web
2 more jobs are undetermined.
- Any Source Available License 1.0: modification and redistribution only for non-commercial use or within allowed networks; not open source
- The desktop app (or anytype-cli) must be running; the MCP talks to 127.0.0.1:31009 and needs an API key from App Settings
- API calls carry a version header (Anytype-Version 2025-11-08); bump it when the API changes
- Membership prices could not be read from anytype.io (client-rendered page)
Tolaria
Files-first markdown second brain with git built in and an in-repo MCP server for Claude Code and Codex.
Free
- you want your notes as plain markdown in git and an agent that can search and write them from Claude Code
- you run a 10,000-note personal vault and want keyboard-first navigation with AI on the side
- Git commit, push, and history
- In-app AI chat over note context
- Inbox and web-resource capture
1 more job is undetermined.
- AGPL-3.0-or-later
- The MCP server talks to the running desktop app over a websocket bridge; open_note and vault attach need the app open
- No paid or hosted edition; sync is whatever git remote you choose
Logseq
Outliner knowledge graph whose desktop app embeds an MCP server over its local HTTP API.
Free
- you live in daily journals with block references and want an agent to search and append to your graph
- you want a local-first outliner with a plugin ecosystem and no account
- Delete pages or blocks
- Datalog and advanced queries
- Whiteboards and flashcards
- Sync and real-time collaboration
1 more job is undetermined.
- AGPL-3.0
- The MCP server is on master (DB version); confirm it ships in the stable 0.10.x file-graph builds
- The local HTTP API server must be enabled in settings with a token before MCP tools work
- One tool is annotated 'must be called at most once per user request'
Questions
Is there an open source alternative to Notion?
Yes. 6 of the 8 listings here are open source: BookStack (MIT), OpenKnowledge (GPL-3.0), SiYuan (AGPL-3.0), Trilium Notes (AGPL-3.0), Tolaria (AGPL-3.0), Logseq (AGPL-3.0).
Which Notion alternatives have an MCP server?
OpenKnowledge, Outline, SiYuan, Trilium Notes, Anytype, Tolaria and Logseq have MCP servers from their builders.
Which Notion alternative can an agent do the most with?
BookStack: 9 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. SiYuan: 9 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Jobs differ by listing, so read each list before you choose.
Listings come from reading each repo and its docs. Reach counts the jobs an agent can do through the stated interface, and each listing page shows the evidence. Order follows fit. For agents: Markdown · JSON