AFFiNE vs Trilium
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
AFFiNE is a versatile and customizable workspace that combines the features of note-taking apps, knowledge management tools, and project management software. It allows users to create a personalized workspace that adapts to their unique needs and workflows.
Trilium is a note-taking application with a strong focus on building large personal knowledge bases. It is designed to be a long-term companion for thinking and learning. Trilium stores data in a central database, allowing notes to be organized in a tree-like structure with tags and links.
- Highly customizable and adaptable to unique needs and workflows
- Strong focus on security and data protection, with end-to-end encryption
- Real-time collaboration features, with live commenting and @mentions
- Extensive library of plugins and integrations, with support for many third-party services
- Highly customizable
- Powerful full-text search
- Hierarchical structure
- Open-source and self-hosted
- Steep learning curve, due to the high degree of customization and flexibility
- Limited support for certain file types and formats
- Some users may find the interface overwhelming or cluttered, due to the many features and options
- Steep learning curve
- Limited mobile support
- Not suitable for simple note-taking
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth AFFiNE and Trilium are free, open‑source note‑taking platforms, but AFFiNE offers richer real‑time collaboration and integrations, while Trilium provides deeper hierarchical organization and self‑hosting without an API.
Key differences
- •AFFiNE includes live commenting, @mentions and real‑time sync; Trilium lacks collaboration features.
- •AFFiNE offers an API and many third‑party integrations (GitHub, Notion, Slack); Trilium has no API.
- •Trilium emphasizes hierarchical note structures and powerful full‑text search; AFFiNE’s hierarchy is more flexible but less specialized.
- •Security: AFFiNE provides end‑to‑end encryption; Trilium’s security details are not specified.
- •Support: AFFiNE offers email, live chat, and community forum; Trilium only has GitHub Issues.
Pricing & value
Both are free, open‑source tools offering comparable value at zero cost.
Ease of use / learning curve
Both have steep learning curves, but Trilium’s focus on hierarchical notes is slightly less overwhelming than AFFiNE’s extensive customization.
Features & depth
AFFiNE provides real‑time collaboration, plugins, and extensive customization beyond basic note hierarchy.
Integrations & ecosystem
AFFiNE supports an API and integrations with GitHub, Notion, Slack; Trilium has no API or listed integrations.
Collaboration
AFFiNE includes live commenting, @mentions, and real‑time syncing; Trilium lacks collaboration features.
Scalability / deployment
Trilium is self‑hosted, giving full control over scaling; AFFiNE is cloud‑synced with no self‑host option mentioned.
Support
AFFiNE offers email, live chat, and community forum; Trilium only provides GitHub Issues.
Security & privacy
AFFiNE explicitly offers end‑to‑end encryption; Trilium’s security features are not specified.
Choose AFFiNE if…
Teams needing real‑time collaboration, integrations, and strong security.
Choose Trilium if…
Researchers or solo users wanting deep hierarchical organization and self‑hosting.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either tool?
Both AFFiNE and Trilium are free to use.
Can I collaborate with others in real time?
Yes with AFFiNE (live commenting, @mentions); No, Trilium lacks real‑time collaboration.
Do either of them support self‑hosting?
Trilium is self‑hosted; AFFiNE’s deployment model is not specified as self‑hosted.