Heptabase found its audience among researchers, writers, and deep thinkers who need to connect ideas visually. The whiteboard-style interface lets you arrange notes spatially while bidirectional links create a knowledge graph underneath. It's designed for sense-making, for taking scattered thoughts and building coherent understanding over time.
But Heptabase occupies a specific niche. The learning curve intimidates casual note-takers. The lack of mobile apps frustrates people who capture ideas on the go. The price point ($8-10 monthly) feels steep if you just need basic note-taking. And honestly, some people try Heptabase and realize they don't actually need visual spatial organization for their thinking.
This guide covers the best Heptabase alternatives for 2026. We've included tools that offer similar visual thinking capabilities while addressing common complaints. Whether you need better mobile apps, lower pricing, different organizational approaches, or features Heptabase doesn't have, these alternatives deserve consideration.
Why Consider Heptabase Alternatives?
When Heptabase Doesn't Fit
Mobile apps are Heptabase's biggest gap. As of late 2026, Heptabase remains desktop-only. If you think on the go, capture fleeting ideas on your phone, or review notes during commutes, this limitation kills the workflow. Alternatives with strong mobile experiences let you work anywhere.
The pricing model doesn't work for everyone. Heptabase charges monthly or annually for what's fundamentally a note-taking app. Some alternatives are free for personal use. Others offer more generous free tiers. For students, hobbyists, or people just exploring visual thinking, the subscription barrier matters.
Heptabase's approach to organization is opinionated. Everything centers on whiteboards and cards. If your brain wants hierarchical folders, nested outlines, or database-style organization, you'll fight the tool. Alternatives offer different organizational paradigms that might fit your thinking better.
The feature set focuses narrowly on sense-making and visual thinking. Heptabase doesn't try to be an all-in-one productivity hub. No task management, no calendar integration, limited collaboration features. If you want note-taking bundled with other productivity tools, you need something else.
Collaboration is limited. Heptabase works great for individual thinking but doesn't prioritize team features. Real-time collaboration exists but isn't the focus. Teams building shared knowledge bases or working collaboratively on research will want more robust multiplayer features.
Export and portability concern long-term users. Heptabase uses proprietary formats. Getting your knowledge graph out and into another system isn't seamless. Tools that use plain text formats like Markdown offer better data ownership and portability.
Some people simply don't think visually. They try Heptabase's whiteboard approach and realize they prefer linear outlines, hierarchical folders, or simple lists. The visual spatial organization that makes Heptabase special isn't universal. If it doesn't click for you after trying it, that's fine. Different brains work differently.
What Makes a Good Heptabase Alternative?
Core Requirements for Alternatives
Visual organization is the baseline. If you're looking at Heptabase alternatives, you probably want some way to see and arrange ideas spatially. Whether that's whiteboards, canvases, graph views, or flexible layouts, the tool needs to support visual thinking beyond simple text lists.
Bidirectional linking separates note-taking apps from knowledge management systems. The ability to connect ideas, see what links to what, and build networks of related content defines modern thinking tools. Good alternatives implement linking that's as powerful as Heptabase's or better.
Mobile access matters if you capture ideas throughout the day. The best alternatives offer mobile apps that aren't just viewers but actual working environments. You should be able to create, edit, and explore your knowledge graph from your phone without major compromises.
Flexible organization lets you work how you think. Some people want freeform canvases like Heptabase. Others want outlines. Some want databases. The best alternatives either match your preferred thinking style or offer flexibility to work multiple ways.
Data ownership and export options protect your investment. Years of accumulated notes and links have value. Make sure you can export your knowledge in usable formats. Plain text Markdown files are ideal. Proprietary formats that lock you in are risky.
Pricing models vary dramatically. Some tools are free for personal use. Others charge for cloud sync or advanced features. Compare total costs including storage, sync, and features you actually need. The cheapest option isn't always the best value, but you should understand what you're paying for.
Integration and extensibility matter for power users. Can you customize the tool? Add plugins? Connect to other apps? Integrate with your existing workflow? Some alternatives offer massive plugin ecosystems. Others keep things simple with limited customization.
Lastly, consider your actual use case. Are you doing academic research? Building a personal knowledge base? Writing a book? Managing projects? Different knowledge work has different needs. The best Heptabase alternative depends on what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Obsidian
Best for Local-First Knowledge Management
Obsidian is the most common Heptabase alternative, and for good reason. It offers powerful bidirectional linking, graph views, and recently added Canvas mode for spatial organization. All while storing notes as plain Markdown files you own completely.
Obsidian's core approach is local-first. Notes live on your device as text files. This means complete data ownership, no cloud dependency, and the ability to use any text editor if you ever leave Obsidian. Heptabase keeps everything in their cloud, which some users find limiting.
The Canvas plugin brings Heptabase-style spatial organization to Obsidian. You can arrange notes, images, and links on an infinite canvas, creating visual relationships between ideas. It doesn't match Heptabase's whiteboard polish exactly, but it covers the core spatial thinking use case.
Obsidian's plugin ecosystem is massive. Hundreds of community plugins add features like task management, calendar views, spaced repetition, PDF annotation, and more. This extensibility far exceeds Heptabase's focused feature set. You can customize Obsidian to match your exact workflow.
Bidirectional linking and graph views are core features. See connections between notes, discover unexpected relationships, and build knowledge networks. The graph visualization shows your entire knowledge base and how ideas connect. For PKM enthusiasts, this rivals or exceeds Heptabase.
Mobile apps work well. Obsidian mobile matches desktop functionality closely. You can create notes, link ideas, and even work in Canvas mode from your phone or tablet. This addresses Heptabase's biggest limitation directly.
Obsidian is free for personal use. Cloud sync costs $8 per month and publishing costs $8 per month, but the core app costs nothing. For individuals watching budgets, this beats Heptabase's mandatory subscription.
The learning curve is steep. Obsidian gives you building blocks but doesn't prescribe workflows. New users face blank slate paralysis. Heptabase provides more opinionated structure, which helps some people get started faster.
The interface isn't as polished as Heptabase. Obsidian prioritizes functionality over visual design. It works excellently but doesn't feel as refined. If design and user experience matter a lot, you'll notice the difference.
Best for individuals who want local-first note storage, extensive customization, and strong mobile apps. If you value data ownership and extensibility over polish, Obsidian delivers. Not ideal if you want simplicity and beautiful design out of the box.
Scrintal
Best Like-for-Like Alternative
Scrintal is probably the closest direct alternative to Heptabase. It offers visual board-based note-taking with bidirectional links, designed specifically for researchers and writers who think spatially.
The interface recently got a major redesign and honestly looks better than Heptabase now. Cards and boards feel more refined. The visual design prioritizes clarity and reduces clutter. If Heptabase's interface felt rough around the edges, Scrintal addresses that.
Scrintal's board-based organization mirrors Heptabase closely. Create visual boards, arrange note cards spatially, and see connections between ideas. The learning curve from Heptabase to Scrintal is minimal. It feels familiar immediately.
Bidirectional linking works smoothly. Link notes together, see backlinks, and build knowledge networks. The implementation is clean and performs well even with large knowledge bases. This core PKM functionality matches Heptabase's capabilities.
Collaboration features exist, which gives Scrintal an edge over Heptabase for team knowledge work. Multiple people can work on shared boards. It's not a full multiplayer experience like Notion, but it's more than Heptabase offers.
The major limitation is mobile apps. Scrintal doesn't have them yet. This mirrors Heptabase's biggest weakness rather than solving it. If mobile access is why you're leaving Heptabase, Scrintal won't help. Both tools are desktop-only as of late 2026.
Pricing runs $10 per month for individuals, comparable to Heptabase. You're not saving money by switching. The value proposition is the refined interface and slightly different feature priorities, not cost savings.
Scrintal is a smaller, newer company than Heptabase. The development pace is good, but there's less certainty about long-term viability. Early adopters accept this risk in exchange for accessing newer features and design.
Best for Heptabase users who want a similar board-based thinking environment with better design. If you like Heptabase's approach but want refinements and collaborative features, Scrintal delivers. Doesn't solve the mobile app problem.
Notion
Best for Structured Knowledge Work
Notion takes a completely different approach from Heptabase's visual whiteboard thinking. It's a structured workspace built on databases, pages, and templates. For knowledge work that needs more organization than pure spatial thinking, Notion offers powerful alternatives.
Notion's databases handle complexity that Heptabase can't. Create systems for research, relate notes to projects, tag content by multiple dimensions, and build custom views of your knowledge. This structured approach suits academic research, writing projects, and systematic knowledge building.
The flexibility is both strength and weakness. You can build essentially any system you want in Notion. This power comes with setup cost. Heptabase provides opinionated structure for sense-making. Notion provides blank pages and expects you to design your own systems.
Bidirectional linking exists in Notion but isn't as central as in Heptabase. You can link pages and see backlinks, but Notion doesn't emphasize graph views or network thinking. It's more about hierarchical organization and database relationships than knowledge graphs.
Collaboration is where Notion excels. Real-time editing, comments, permissions, and team workspaces all work smoothly. For research teams, writing groups, or collaborative knowledge building, Notion handles multiplayer scenarios better than Heptabase.
Mobile apps are excellent. Notion mobile is genuinely usable for creating, editing, and organizing content. It's not perfect for complex database work, but it's light-years ahead of Heptabase's non-existent mobile apps.
The free tier is generous for individuals. Paid plans start at $10 per month for unlimited file uploads and guests. For personal knowledge management, you can use Notion extensively without paying. Heptabase requires payment after a trial.
Notion lacks Heptabase's visual spatial canvas. You can't freely arrange notes in 2D space to see spatial relationships. Everything lives in hierarchical pages and database views. If visual thinking is critical to your process, Notion feels constraining.
The interface emphasizes structure over exploration. Heptabase encourages wandering through ideas visually. Notion encourages organizing information systematically. These are different philosophies about knowledge work.
Best for people who need structured organization more than visual spatial thinking. If your research or writing involves systematic categorization, team collaboration, and database-style organization, Notion handles that better than Heptabase. Not ideal for pure visual thinkers.
Logseq
Best Free Open-Source Alternative
Logseq offers outliner-based thinking with bidirectional links, graph views, and local-first storage. It's free, open-source, and emphasizes daily journaling as a knowledge-building practice.
The outliner structure defines Logseq. Everything is bullets and nested lists. This suits people who think in hierarchical structures, outlines, and nested points. It's the opposite of Heptabase's spatial canvas but serves similar knowledge management goals through different means.
Bidirectional linking is core to Logseq. Link notes, see backlinks, and build knowledge graphs just like Heptabase. The graph visualization shows connections between ideas. The implementation is solid, though the interface is less polished than Heptabase.
Logseq stores notes as Markdown files locally. Complete data ownership and no cloud dependency. You can open your knowledge base in any text editor. This appeals to people worried about vendor lock-in or long-term data access.
The daily journal approach encourages consistent knowledge building. Start each day with a blank journal page, capture thoughts, and link to existing notes. Over time, this builds a rich knowledge base organically. Heptabase doesn't emphasize daily practice as strongly.
Mobile apps exist and work reasonably well. Logseq mobile isn't as polished as Notion or Obsidian, but it's functional. You can capture notes, journal entries, and link ideas from your phone. This beats Heptabase's desktop-only limitation.
Logseq is completely free and open-source. No subscriptions, no feature tiers, no paywalls. For students, researchers on budgets, or people philosophically opposed to subscription software, this matters enormously.
The learning curve is moderate. Outliner thinking isn't intuitive for everyone. The slash command interface takes getting used to. Features aren't always discoverable. Heptabase's visual interface is more immediately approachable for most users.
Customization through plugins exists but the ecosystem is smaller than Obsidian's. You can extend Logseq, but not as extensively. For most users, the built-in features cover knowledge management needs without plugins.
Best for people who think in outlines and want free, open-source, local-first knowledge management. If you prefer hierarchical bullet structures over spatial canvases and want to own your data completely, Logseq delivers. Not ideal for visual spatial thinkers.
AFFiNE
Best Hybrid Whiteboard-Document Tool
AFFiNE is a newer player combining whiteboard thinking, document editing, and knowledge management. It's trying to bridge Heptabase's visual approach with structured note-taking.
The whiteboard functionality is where AFFiNE connects to Heptabase. Create infinite canvases, arrange notes and ideas spatially, and think visually. The implementation is smooth, with good performance even on large boards.
What makes AFFiNE interesting is the seamless switch between whiteboard and document modes. You can brainstorm visually on a canvas, then convert the same content into a structured document. This workflow bridges visual thinking and linear writing better than most tools.
Sketch and drawing capabilities are stronger than Heptabase. You can draw directly on canvases, annotate ideas, and create visual diagrams. For visual thinkers who want to sketch alongside text notes, this adds capabilities Heptabase lacks.
AFFiNE is open-source and free for personal use. Cloud sync and collaboration features cost money, but the core app is free. This beats Heptabase's subscription requirement for individual knowledge work.
The project is early-stage. Features are being added rapidly, which is exciting, but stability and long-term viability are open questions. You're betting on a newer platform versus more established tools. Some people like being early adopters. Others want proven tools.
Mobile apps don't exist yet. Like Heptabase and Scrintal, AFFiNE is currently desktop-only. If mobile access is critical, this doesn't solve that problem. The roadmap includes mobile apps, but they're not here yet.
Collaboration features are in development. The vision includes real-time multiplayer editing and team workspaces. Current implementation is basic. This is another "coming soon" rather than "available now" consideration.
The community is small but growing. Fewer templates, less educational content, and smaller user base than established alternatives. You'll find less help and fewer resources than with Obsidian or Notion.
Best for people who want visual whiteboard thinking combined with structured documents and don't mind early-stage software. If the hybrid whiteboard-document workflow appeals and you're okay with a newer tool, AFFiNE offers interesting possibilities. Not suitable for people needing mobile access or proven stability.
Roam Research
Best for Daily Notes and Networked Thought
Roam Research pioneered networked thought and bidirectional linking before Heptabase existed. It emphasizes daily notes, bullet-based thinking, and knowledge graphs built through consistent practice.
Roam's bidirectional linking is mature and reliable. The backlink implementation, block references, and graph database underneath handle complex knowledge networks smoothly. If linking and connections are what you value from Heptabase, Roam delivers that powerfully.
The daily notes practice encourages consistent knowledge building. Open Roam, write thoughts for today, link to existing notes, and watch your knowledge base grow organically. This approach suits researchers, writers, and thinkers who want to build understanding over time.
Block-level references let you reuse content across notes without copying. Reference a specific bullet point from another note, and it stays synced. This granular linking goes deeper than page-level connections, enabling sophisticated knowledge reuse.
The graph view visualizes your knowledge network. See how ideas connect, discover unexpected relationships, and understand the structure of your thinking. While not the same as Heptabase's spatial canvas, it serves similar network thinking goals.
Roam's pricing is controversial. $15 per month or $165 annually is expensive for note-taking software. Heptabase costs similarly, but many alternatives are cheaper or free. The value needs to justify the premium.
Mobile apps exist but aren't great. Roam mobile works for capturing quick notes but doesn't match desktop functionality. It's better than nothing but not a strong mobile experience. Obsidian and Notion both have better mobile apps.
The interface polarizes users. Some love Roam's minimalist, text-focused design. Others find it spartan and clunky. Heptabase prioritizes visual design more. If beautiful interfaces matter, Roam might feel dated.
Customization through CSS and plugins exists but requires technical knowledge. Power users can make Roam look and work however they want. Casual users stick with defaults, which are functional but basic.
Best for dedicated knowledge workers who value mature bidirectional linking and don't mind the cost. If daily note-taking practice and powerful linking matter more than visual canvases, Roam delivers proven capabilities. Not ideal for visual thinkers or budget-conscious users.
How to Switch from Heptabase
Export and Rebuild Strategy
Migrating from Heptabase requires exporting your knowledge base and recreating structure in your new tool. Heptabase's proprietary format means there's no one-click migration to alternatives.
Start by exporting from Heptabase. Check what export formats are available. Heptabase offers Markdown export, which is the most portable format. Export everything before making final decisions about switching.
Review your Heptabase whiteboards before migrating. Which boards are active knowledge work? Which are reference materials? Which can be archived? Focus migration effort on content you actively use rather than moving everything blindly.
Understand that spatial arrangements won't transfer. Your carefully organized Heptabase whiteboards exist as visual layouts. When exported to Markdown or imported to other tools, you lose the spatial positioning. You'll need to recreate organizational structure in your new tool's paradigm.
For tools with Canvas features (Obsidian, AFFiNE), you can recreate visual boards manually. It's work, but it's possible. Plan time to rebuild important visual arrangements if that spatial organization matters to your thinking.
Bidirectional links might not transfer cleanly. Different tools use different linking syntax. Heptabase uses its own format. When importing to Obsidian or Logseq, you might need to update link syntax. Check how your target tool handles imported links.
Test the new tool thoroughly before fully committing. Set up a small knowledge base in your alternative tool. Work with it for a week on real thinking projects. Make sure it actually fits your workflow before migrating everything.
Consider running both tools in parallel during transition. Keep Heptabase active for reference while building in your new tool. This safety net reduces anxiety about losing information during migration.
Migrate gradually rather than all at once. Move one project or topic area first. Get comfortable with how the new tool works for that content. Then expand to other areas. Gradual migration is less overwhelming than switching everything immediately.
If switching to Obsidian or Logseq, embrace their paradigms rather than forcing Heptabase workflows. These tools work differently. Learn their strengths and design workflows that leverage what they do well instead of trying to recreate Heptabase exactly.
For team knowledge bases, coordinate migration timing. If multiple people use the Heptabase workspace, agree on migration plans. Don't leave teammates stranded with partial information in either system.
Heptabase Alternatives FAQ
Common Questions About Switching
What's the best free alternative to Heptabase?
Obsidian for personal use. It's free, offers Canvas mode for spatial thinking, has strong bidirectional linking, and works on mobile. Logseq is also free and open-source if you prefer outliner-style thinking. Both handle knowledge management without subscriptions. AFFiNE is free for personal use too but is earlier-stage software.
Which alternative has mobile apps since Heptabase doesn't?
Obsidian has the best mobile apps among Heptabase alternatives. Notion also has excellent mobile functionality. Logseq has functional mobile apps. Roam has mobile apps but they're not great. If mobile access is your main frustration with Heptabase, Obsidian solves it best.
Is there something that works exactly like Heptabase but cheaper?
Scrintal is the closest match to Heptabase's board-based visual thinking at similar pricing ($10 vs $8-10). You're not saving money, but you get refinements and collaborative features. For actual cost savings, Obsidian or Logseq are free alternatives that cover similar knowledge management use cases differently.
Do any alternatives let me keep my visual whiteboard workflow?
Obsidian Canvas, Scrintal boards, and AFFiNE whiteboards all support spatial visual organization. They work differently than Heptabase's whiteboards but serve similar visual thinking needs. Obsidian Canvas is probably the closest free option. Scrintal feels most like Heptabase.
Can I export my Heptabase knowledge base to other tools?
Heptabase supports Markdown export, which is portable to most alternatives. However, you'll lose the spatial arrangement of your whiteboards. Links transfer as text but might need syntax updates depending on your target tool. Plan for manual reorganization rather than automatic migration.
What if I want better collaboration than Heptabase offers?
Notion handles team knowledge work significantly better than Heptabase. Real-time collaboration, permissions, and multiplayer features are core to Notion. Obsidian with shared vaults can work for teams. Roam has collaboration features. Scrintal offers basic collaboration. None match Notion for team scenarios.
Which Heptabase Alternative Should You Choose?
Final Decision Framework
The best alternative depends on what frustrated you about Heptabase and how you actually think.
If you need mobile apps, Obsidian or Notion solve that immediately. Obsidian keeps the local-first approach and adds Canvas mode for visual thinking. Notion trades visual canvases for structured organization but works excellently on mobile.
If you want free alternatives, Obsidian and Logseq both deliver serious knowledge management capabilities without subscriptions. Obsidian if you want flexibility and plugins. Logseq if you prefer outliner-based thinking and open-source software.
If you love Heptabase's visual whiteboard approach and just want refinements, Scrintal offers the most similar experience with better design. You're not saving money or gaining mobile apps, but the interface and collaboration features improve on Heptabase.
If you want more structure alongside visual thinking, Notion or AFFiNE hybrid approaches might fit better. Notion for mature, database-driven organization. AFFiNE for newer whiteboard-document hybrid workflows.
If you're deep into knowledge management and want proven networked thought tools, Roam Research delivers mature bidirectional linking and graph thinking. The cost matches Heptabase, but the approach emphasizes daily practice over visual boards.
Honestly, Heptabase does visual sense-making really well for a specific type of thinker. If it works for your brain and the desktop-only limitation isn't a dealbreaker, staying might make sense. But if you've hit real limitations around mobile, cost, or workflow fit, these alternatives address different pain points.
Most alternatives have free tiers or trials. Test a couple with real knowledge work before deciding. What works for other people's thinking might not work for yours.