AFFiNE

Overview

AFFiNE is a workspace that brings documents, whiteboards, databases and AI tools together, with desktop files stored locally and cloud sync as an option. It suits people who want to move between structured notes and visual work without giving up offline desktop access. Its strongest case is the combination of local control and broad workspace tools; the trade-off is that cloud collaboration and mobile use are more limited than the desktop experience.

AFFiNE was founded in 2022 and is headquartered in Singapore. The editor, desktop app and most of the codebase use the MIT license, while the backend uses the AFFiNE Enterprise Edition license. For more options in this category, see Document Collaboration Software.

Key features

Documents, whiteboards and databases

AFFiNE combines several work formats rather than centering the experience on documents alone. On desktop, the full Edgeless whiteboard and local file control make it a stronger fit for visual planning alongside notes. Documents and whiteboards are stored on the device and can be read and edited offline without an account, which is useful when cloud access is not wanted or available.

AI tools and workspace access

AFFiNE AI can draft and summarize writing, adjust tone, generate mind maps and create presentations. It currently runs through AFFiNE Cloud and requires sign-in, so the offline advantage does not extend to these AI tools. Each AFFiNE Cloud user receives 10 free AI trial experiences; from version 0.27, users can bring their own API key.

A built-in MCP server lets compatible clients such as Claude and Cursor search a workspace and read documents. Credentials are limited to one workspace, can be revoked and default to read-only access, a useful boundary for users connecting external clients.

Pricing

AFFiNE is freemium. The free Local FOSS + Cloud Basic plan costs nothing and is free forever. It includes 10 GB cloud storage, a 10 MB maximum file size, up to 3 members per workspace, 7 days of version history and up to 3 login devices. That is a workable starting point for an individual or small group, but the member cap and short history window can constrain ongoing team use.

Pro costs $6.75 a month, billed $6.75 per month. It raises storage to 100 GB, file size to 100 MB, workspace membership to 10 and version history to 30 days, with community support. This is the clearest step up for a small team that needs more room and a longer recovery window; it does not remove the 10-member limit.

AFFiNE AI costs $8.90 a month, billed $8.9 / month billed annually. It includes AI writing, image and mind-map generation, and presentations, alongside 10 trial experiences per AFFiNE Cloud user. The annual billing term matters for anyone choosing this tier primarily to keep AI access.

Team costs $10 a month, billed $10 per seat/month. It starts with 100 GB storage plus 20 GB per seat, allows files up to 500 MB and unlimited team members with 10 or more seats, and adds multiple admin roles and priority customer support. It is aimed at larger teams that need administration and support; the per-seat charge makes the cost rise with headcount.

The Believer Plan is a one-time purchase at $499.99, paid once, billed One-time purchase. It includes lifetime personal usage, 1 TB cloud storage and AFFiNE Pro, making it a personal-use option rather than a substitute for team administration. Enterprise has custom pricing for 100+ seats, custom deployment, a dedicated point of contact, self-hosted and cloud hybrid options, and an SLA on request. The Code License also has custom pricing and provides commercial source-code licensing, whitelabel and rebrand rights, and OEM and SDK embedding support.

Platforms

AFFiNE is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, with an extension and self-hosted option. Mobile is oriented toward capturing and reviewing notes; people who need the full Edgeless whiteboard and local file control should use desktop.

Who it's for

AFFiNE is a good fit for individual creators and small teams who want documents, databases and visual planning in one workspace, especially if offline desktop editing and control over file location matter. Larger organizations may find a fit in its self-hosted or custom deployment options. It is less suited to teams that need broad mobile parity or more than 10 cloud workspace members without moving to the Team plan.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Desktop documents and whiteboards work offline without an account, while users retain control over file location.
• Pro: Documents, databases, whiteboards and AI tools share one workspace, reducing the need to split those activities across products.
• Pro: MCP access is workspace-scoped, revocable and read-only by default.
• Con: The free cloud tier caps workspaces at 3 members and version history at 7 days, limiting its usefulness for growing teams or longer-term recovery.
• Con: Mobile focuses on note capture and review rather than the complete desktop whiteboard and local-file experience.
• Con: AFFiNE AI requires cloud sign-in, and its paid AI plan is billed annually.

Alternatives

Choose Lark if the stated Starter plan’s 20-user allowance, 100 GB storage, 18 months of message history and 1,000 monthly automations better match your team’s collaboration needs.

Collabora Online is another freemium option, with a free on-premise edition for testing and home use.

Choose Craft if its free plan’s 1,500 blocks, 1 GB storage, 25 MB media upload limit, 7 days of version history and 15 AI assistant credits suit your personal workspace needs.

Notion has a free plan for individuals organizing personal projects and life, with pages and blocks, databases and basic collaboration.

Choose Nuclino if a free plan capped at 50 items, 3 canvases and 2 GB total storage fits your workspace better.

ONLYOFFICE Docs is another freemium option with a free Docs Community edition recommended for up to 20 users and community support.

WPS Docs is another freemium option with a free WPS Standard plan.

Ziflow is another freemium option with a free plan for up to 2 users.

Verdict

Choose AFFiNE if you want one workspace for notes, databases and visual planning, with offline desktop editing and optional cloud sync. Its local-first desktop experience is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need mobile to match desktop or need more than 10 cloud workspace members without paying per seat.