Anytype

Local-first, end-to-end encrypted notes and knowledge base with built-in AI

Hand-reviewed by the Toolglade team·Updated Aug 2026

note-taking#notes#knowledge-base#local-first#privacy

Free plan Claimed Self-hosted Teams Mobile app Browser extension

Toolglade’s take

Anytype is one of the few tools that genuinely delivers on local-first plus end-to-end encryption plus collaboration, which is a rare combination. The AI features are useful but secondary; buy it for the privacy model, not the AI. The object-model learning curve is real and sync/collaboration are less seamless than cloud-native rivals. For users who refuse to put notes in someone else's cloud, it is a strong, credible pick.

About Anytype

Anytype is a local-first, end-to-end encrypted, open-source knowledge workspace with block editing, typed objects and databases, peer-to-peer sync, and AI-assisted drafting.

Anytype is a privacy-first alternative to cloud knowledge tools like Notion. Everything is stored locally and end-to-end encrypted, and syncing happens through a peer-to-peer architecture rather than a central server, so your notes keep working offline even if you never pay. It uses a graph of interconnected objects, letting you build wikis, task lists, CRMs, and custom databases from typed objects and relations. The editing experience is block-based and familiar, with templates to spin up common document types quickly and multiple database views for organizing information. More recently Anytype added AI content generation to help brainstorm and draft, though AI is a complement to the core local-first note-taking rather than the headline feature. Anytype is free and open source for local use; paid tiers exist mainly to fund backup and sync storage plus collaboration on shared spaces. The tradeoff for its strong privacy model is that some collaboration and cross-device conveniences are less turnkey than fully cloud-hosted competitors, and the learning curve for its object model can be steep.

TL;DR

Anytype is an open-source, local-first, end-to-end encrypted knowledge workspace with typed objects, databases, peer-to-peer sync, and AI-assisted drafting for privacy-focused users.

Company overview

Anytype is developed by a team building a privacy-preserving alternative to mainstream cloud knowledge tools, released as open source and funded partly through paid sync and collaboration tiers. Its mission centers on user data ownership through local-first architecture and encryption.

The project has cultivated a community of privacy advocates and personal-knowledge-management enthusiasts. Rather than monetize the application itself, it charges for backup, larger sync storage, and collaborative shared spaces.

Product features

Anytype provides block-based editing, templates, and a flexible object model where notes, tasks, and records are typed objects connected by relations, enabling custom wikis, CRMs, and databases with multiple views. All data is stored locally and end-to-end encrypted, syncing via peer-to-peer rather than a central server.

More recent additions include AI content generation for brainstorming and drafting inside notes, plus web clipping and markdown import. Self-hosting of the sync backend is supported for users who want maximum control.

Target market

Anytype targets privacy-conscious individuals, open-source advocates, and knowledge workers who want a flexible, Notion-like workspace without storing data in a centralized cloud.

Buyer personas

End users

Individuals building private knowledge bases, databases, and note collections that stay on their own devices.

Buyers

Privacy-focused professionals and small teams paying for sync and collaboration.

Key influencers

Open-source and privacy advocates who recommend tooling within communities.

Ideal customer profile

Privacy-first individuals and small teams who prioritize data ownership over turnkey cloud collaboration.

Funding & performance

Anytype is backed by mission-aligned investors and community support; verify current funding details with the vendor or public sources.

Pros & cons

Pros

True local-first storage with end-to-end encryption
Open source and free for local use
Works fully offline
Flexible object and database model
Cross-platform desktop and mobile apps
Self-hostable sync options

Cons

Object model has a learning curve
Collaboration less seamless than cloud-native tools
AI features are basic compared to dedicated AI apps
Sync setup can be fiddly for non-technical users
Smaller ecosystem and integrations than Notion

Pricing plans

Free

Local-first, encrypted storage
Full offline use
Open-source app
Small sync allowance
Templates and databases

Builder

$99 / year

Expanded sync storage
Shared spaces with multiple editors
Priority sync
Backup
All core features

Key features

Mobile app

Browser extension

Team collaboration

Self-hosted

Multi-language

Integrations

Web clipper, Markdown import, Local storage

Input types

text

Output types

text

Best For

privacy-conscious users, personal knowledge management, offline note-taking

Compare key features

View all alternatives →

Feature

Anytype

Craft

Saga

Pricing

Freemium

Free plan

Yes

Free trial

Yes

Self-hosted

Yes

Team support

Yes

Frequently asked questions

Is Anytype really local-first?+

Yes, Anytype stores your data on your device with end-to-end encryption and uses peer-to-peer sync rather than a central cloud, so it works offline.

Is Anytype free?+

The app is free and open source for local-only use with a small sync allowance. Paid plans fund additional backup, sync storage, and collaboration.

Can I self-host Anytype?+

Yes, Anytype supports self-hosting its sync backend for users who want full control over their data infrastructure.

Does Anytype have AI?+

Anytype includes AI content generation to help brainstorm and draft notes, though AI is a secondary feature to its local-first note-taking.

How does Anytype compare to Notion?+

Anytype offers a similar block-and-database model but prioritizes privacy with local storage and encryption, trading some cloud collaboration convenience and integrations.