Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Tana

Memos is an open-source, privacy-first note-taking service designed for capturing short notes and building a lightweight knowledge base. It is built for fast, local-first writing, with your data stored on your own infrastructure and no built-in tracking.

Key Features

• Markdown-first editor with plain-text oriented storage
• Fast, minimal UI optimized for quick capture and retrieval
• Organize notes with tags and basic structuring for knowledge management
• Share and publish selected notes for others to view
• REST and gRPC APIs for integrating with developer workflows
• Multiple database options, including SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL
• Simple deployment options including Docker, prebuilt binaries, and Kubernetes

Use Cases

• Personal “memo hub” for daily notes, journaling, and quick idea capture
• Team wiki or lightweight internal knowledge base
• Developer logbook for snippets, debugging notes, and infrastructure runbooks

Memos is a good fit when you want a fast, distraction-free notes app that is easy to run and maintain, while keeping full control over your data. Its API access and simple deployment make it practical for both individuals and small teams.

Logseq is a privacy-first platform for personal knowledge management built around linked, block-based notes organized as a graph. It supports local-first workflows using Markdown or Org-mode files, with additional options for database-backed graphs and real-time collaboration.

Key Features

• Block-based outlining with bidirectional linking and graph-based navigation
• Local file-based graphs using Markdown and Org-mode for longevity and portability
• Task management features integrated into notes (e.g., TODO workflows and queries)
• Whiteboards for spatial thinking with shapes, connectors, drawings, and embeds
• PDF reading and annotation integrated into the knowledge base
• Plugin and theme ecosystem via a dedicated plugin API
• Optional database-backed graphs with sync and real-time collaboration capabilities

Use Cases

• Personal knowledge base for research notes, study, and writing workflows
• Daily journaling and task tracking with linked context across projects
• Team knowledge sharing and collaborative note-taking (where collaboration is enabled)

Limitations and Considerations

• Database-backed graphs and real-time collaboration features may be in beta/alpha and can carry higher risk of data issues; backups are recommended

Logseq is well-suited for users who want a durable, local-first note system with strong linking and outlining. Its whiteboards, PDF annotation, and extensibility make it flexible for both personal productivity and collaborative knowledge work.

Trilium Notes is a cross-platform note-taking application designed for building large, structured personal knowledge bases. It can be used locally as a desktop app or run as a server to access notes in a browser and synchronize across devices.

Key Features

• Deep hierarchical note tree with cloning (one note can appear in multiple places)
• Rich WYSIWYG editor with Markdown-like autoformat, tables, images, and math
• Code notes with syntax highlighting and dedicated editor
• Full-text search plus fast navigation, hoisting, and command palette-style search
• Note revisions/versioning for review and undo
• Per-note encryption with password-protected sessions
• Web clipper support for saving web content into notes
• Extensibility via attributes, scripting, custom widgets, and built-in REST API
• Multiple note types and visual tools (canvas, Mermaid diagrams, mind maps, relation/note maps)
• Collections for structured workflows (tables, kanban boards, calendar, geomap, presentations)

Use Cases

• Personal or team knowledge base with structured documentation and cross-linked notes
• Research and project organization using tables, kanban boards, diagrams, and saved searches
• Private journaling and sensitive information storage using per-note encryption

Limitations and Considerations

• Uses an SQLite database; sharing the database directly over a network drive is discouraged due to corruption risk
• Not intended as a large-file storage system; synchronization can be unreliable with very large uploads
• No official native mobile app; mobile access is primarily via the web/mobile frontend (PWA)

Trilium Notes combines a strong hierarchical model with powerful search, versioning, and automation features. It is well-suited for users who want an extensible knowledge base that scales to very large collections of notes while keeping control of their data.

Blinko is an open-source, privacy-focused note-taking app designed for quickly capturing short “card” notes and organizing them over time. It adds AI-assisted retrieval using RAG, enabling natural-language search across your personal knowledge base while keeping data under your control.

Key Features

• Card-style note capture optimized for quick, lightweight writing
• Markdown-based notes for simple formatting and portability
• AI-enhanced retrieval using RAG for natural language querying of notes
• Self-hosted data storage emphasizing data ownership and privacy
• Web app built with a modern UI stack
• Optional multi-platform desktop experience via Tauri

Use Cases

• Personal knowledge management with fast capture of ideas and snippets
• Searching a private notes archive using natural-language queries
• Lightweight alternative to heavier note systems for daily journaling and memos

Limitations and Considerations

• AI/RAG features may require additional configuration and external model/provider choices depending on your setup

Blinko fits users who want a clean, fast note workflow with Markdown and the option to add AI-powered retrieval. It is especially suited to individuals prioritizing privacy and control while still benefiting from modern AI search.

TagSpaces is an offline-first, cross-platform application for organizing and managing local files using a flexible tagging system. It works without accounts or a central cloud backend by storing metadata alongside your files, keeping your data portable and private.

Key Features

• Tag files and folders using filename tags or sidecar metadata files
• Fast filtering and search, including a local index service for content search
• Built-in viewers and editors for common formats (text, Markdown, HTML, media)
• Note-taking and simple task lists stored as plain files
• Web Clipper browser extension to save web pages, screenshots, and bookmarks as local files
• Extensible architecture via custom viewers/editors (plugins)
• Optional local AI/LLM integrations (via Ollama) for summarization, tagging, and annotation

Use Cases

• Organize a personal document archive (PDFs, receipts, manuals) with consistent tags
• Build an offline personal knowledge base with notes, web clippings, and media
• Create a portable file-based workspace that can be synced with third-party tools

Limitations and Considerations

• Not optimized for working locations containing more than about 100,000 files

TagSpaces is well-suited for users who want a file-based, vendor-neutral way to manage documents, notes, and media. Its offline design and optional local AI features make it a strong choice for privacy-focused personal and small-team workflows.

SilverBullet is a programmable personal knowledge management platform that runs in the browser and stores content as Markdown pages in a “space.” It combines a clean editor with wiki-style navigation and a scripting system that can generate pages, automate workflows, and build custom functionality.

Key Features

• Markdown-first editor with live preview and outlining tools
• Wiki-style pages with links and bi-directional linked mentions
• Task management across pages
• Querying and “objects” for structured data and database-like workflows
• Lua-based scripting (Space Lua) to create commands, templates, widgets, and dynamically generated content
• Local-first Progressive Web App behavior with offline access and sync to browser storage
• Distributed as a single server binary or as a container image

Use Cases

• Personal notes and wiki-style knowledge base for research, projects, and documentation
• Task tracking embedded in notes with rollups across a workspace
• Building lightweight, custom productivity systems with scripts, templates, and queries

SilverBullet is well-suited for users who want Markdown ownership and the ability to extend their notes environment with scripting and automation. It can function as both a straightforward editor and a highly customizable knowledge platform as your needs grow.

Zim is a graphical desktop wiki editor for maintaining a notebook of interlinked pages. Notes are stored locally as plain text files using wiki-style markup, making them easy to edit, back up, and version.

Key Features

• Wiki-style page linking with quick creation of new pages by linking to non-existent pages
• Notebook stored as a folder structure with support for page attachments (e.g., images and files)
• Lightweight markup for headings, lists, and basic text formatting
• Autosave-focused workflow for fast navigation and editing across pages
• Plugin system for extending functionality (e.g., task lists, equation editing, tray icon, version control integration)

Use Cases

• Personal knowledge base and long-term note archive
• Daily or weekly journaling and meeting/lecture notes
• Managing simple task lists alongside project notes

Zim is a solid choice for users who want a local-first, file-based wiki that remains usable without a server and integrates well with typical desktop workflows.

HabitSync is a self-hostable habit-tracking platform that combines individual goal tracking with social features like shared habits, challenges, and leaderboards. It provides a PWA front end, a Java/Spring Boot backend API, and an Android mobile client.

Key Features

• Clean, mobile-first Progressive Web App (PWA) UI and installable Android app
• Flexible habit and goal configuration (daily/weekly/monthly/custom, negative habits, weekday selection)
• Social features: shared habits, monthly community challenges, leaderboards, and achievements
• Authentication via OIDC/OAuth2 (multiple issuers supported) and basic auth as alternative
• Notification system with Apprise integration for many delivery channels and custom schedules/triggers
• API-first architecture with Swagger docs and token/basic-auth access; import support for Loop Habit Tracker
• Easy Docker and Docker Compose deployment; supports H2 (file) and PostgreSQL databases

Use Cases

• Personal habit tracking with cross-device sync using the PWA or Android app
• Small social groups or friends running shared challenges and comparing progress
• Home automation integrations and external tooling via the REST API (for dashboards, notifications, or HA integration)

Limitations and Considerations

• The built-in API is marked as incomplete and may change; rely on it cautiously for long-term integrations
• Mobile app is under active development and may require matching server/client versions
• H2 is the default DB (file-based); production setups should prefer PostgreSQL for reliability and backups
• Notifications require an external Apprise API or compatible service for delivery

HabitSync is suitable for users who want a privacy-respecting, self-hosted habit tracker with social features and flexible authentication. It is production-ready with containerized deployment and an emphasis on API integration.