AFFiNE vs Logseq
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
AFFiNE
Workspace for docs, whiteboards and databases
VS
Logseq
Privacy-first outliner for networked thought
| Feature | AFFiNE | Logseq |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Clojure |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 72,916 | ★ 45,040 |
| First released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Notion, Miro | Notion, Roam Research |
What are AFFiNE and Logseq?
AFFiNE
AFFiNE is an open-source knowledge base that combines documents, whiteboards, and databases in a single workspace. It targets users wanting an all-in-one alternative to Notion and Miro. It is deployed via Docker.
- Docs, whiteboard and database in one
- Local-first data model
- Real-time collaboration
- Edgeless canvas mode
Logseq
Logseq is a privacy-first, local-first outliner for knowledge management and networked note-taking using plain Markdown files. It targets users who want a graph-based personal knowledge tool. It runs as a desktop app with optional file syncing.
- Outliner with bidirectional links
- Plain Markdown file storage
- Graph view of notes
- Plugin marketplace
AFFiNE vs Logseq: key differences
AFFiNE is written in TypeScript, while Logseq is built with Clojure. Licensing differs — MIT for AFFiNE versus AGPL-3.0 for Logseq. Logseq is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for AFFiNE. Logseq is the more established project (first released 2020), while AFFiNE arrived in 2022. AFFiNE lists first-class Docker deployment; Logseq does not.
Why pick each one
Choose AFFiNE if…
- Versatile workspace
- Local-first design
- Modern UI
Watch out for
- Self-hosting still maturing
- Resource intensive
Choose Logseq if…
- Local-first and private
- Great for linked thinking
- Files stay portable
Watch out for
- Not a hosted server
- Performance dips on huge graphs
Frequently asked questions
Is AFFiNE or Logseq better?
Neither is universally better. AFFiNE has the larger community, while Logseq is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are AFFiNE and Logseq free and open-source?
Yes. AFFiNE is licensed under MIT and Logseq under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run AFFiNE and Logseq with Docker?
AFFiNE: yes. Logseq: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, AFFiNE or Logseq?
Logseq has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for AFFiNE. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.