AFFiNE vs Heptabase (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
AFFiNE
From $8/mo against from $9/mo
Free plan
AFFiNE
Only AFFiNE has one
Higher rating
Heptabase
4.2 against 4.4
Same job?
Yes
Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared on	AFFiNE	Heptabase
Our rating	4.2	4.4Better
Starts at	$8/moBetter	$9/mo
Free plan	YesBetter	No
Category	Productivity	Productivity
Plans	FreeFree Pro$8/mo	From $9/mo
Key features	Combined documents, whiteboard, and database in one workspace Fully open-source with self-hosting available Freeform canvas alongside structured document editing Free tier for standard use Operating since 2022	Visual whiteboard-based note organization and connection Spatial arrangement for mapping complex research relationships Built for literature review and multi-source research work No self-serve free tier Operating since 2021
Pros	Genuine open-source alternative to closed note-taking platforms Self-hosting option for full data control Combines whiteboard and document editing in one tool	Visual whiteboard suits genuinely non-linear, complex research work Spatial arrangement supports thinking through how ideas relate Well suited to literature review and multi-source academic work
Cons	Smaller ecosystem and community than Notion's much larger user base Self-hosting requires technical setup for those who want it Newer platform still maturing relative to established competitors	No free tier to test before committing Whiteboard-first approach has a learning curve versus simpler note apps Less suited to quick, simple note-taking than deep research projects
Company	Toeverything, founded 2022	Hepta Platforms, Inc., founded 2021

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260703. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is AFFiNE better than Heptabase?

In our reviews AFFiNE scores 4.2 and Heptabase scores 4.4. The better pick depends on the job. AFFiNE: An open-source Notion alternative, docs and whiteboard combined. Heptabase: A visual whiteboard for connecting notes, built for deep research work.

Which is cheaper, AFFiNE or Heptabase?

AFFiNE has the lower starting price: from $8/mo for AFFiNE and from $9/mo for Heptabase.

Do AFFiNE and Heptabase have free plans?

Only AFFiNE has a free plan.

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