Logseq
Free, open-source and local-first — every bullet is a first-class, linkable, queryable block.
Standout features
Logseq is the open-source, local-first outliner — your notes are plain files, and every bullet can be linked and queried.
Worldwide search interest, indexed 0–100 · Google Trends.
Logseq is an open-source, local-first outliner built on the idea that your notes should belong to you — not a cloud platform.
- Notes are plain Markdown/Org files on your device.
- Block references make every bullet a first-class object.
- Datalog queries filter content across thousands of pages.
- A new SQLite DB version (beta) adds speed and collaboration.
Logseq is open source, with AI via plugins.
- Licensed AGPL-3.0; data stays as local plain-text files.
- AI through the community Ollama plugin — runs models fully locally.
- Whiteboards, flashcards, PDF annotation and Zotero integration.
- The DB version brings SQLite storage and real-time sync.
The core app is completely free; sync is the only paid extra.
Logseq is for privacy-minded, technical note-takers.
- Developers and researchers who want local data.
- Zettelkasten and daily-journal thinkers.
- People who want an open-source second brain.
- Non-technical users wanting polish out of the box.
- Anyone needing built-in cloud AI.
No tool is perfect — the trade-offs to weigh:
- Learning curve — the outliner/block model takes adjustment.
- Performance dips on very large graphs (the DB version helps).
- Mobile is less featured than desktop.
- AI is bring-your-own — no native cloud assistant.
- ✓Open source and local-first — you own your data
- ✓Block references make every bullet reusable
- ✓Datalog queries, flashcards and PDF annotation
- ✓New SQLite DB version improves speed and sync
- ✓Free core, with cheap optional sync
- ✕Outliner/block model has a learning curve
- ✕Performance dips on very large graphs
- ✕Mobile app trails the desktop version
- ✕AI is bring-your-own via plugins, not native
Logseq is beloved by privacy-minded, technical users who want a free, open-source second brain they fully control. Block references and Datalog queries get specific praise. The recurring caveats: a real learning curve, performance dips on big graphs (which the new DB version targets), and AI you have to wire in yourself. For local-first networked notes, sentiment is strong.
Logseq is an open-source project started by Tienson Qin, developed in the open under the AGPL-3.0 licence.
Company figures are drawn from public disclosures and reputable trackers (gathered Jun 2026). User and revenue numbers are estimates and move fast.
Pick up to two other coding tools to see them head-to-head on the same rubric.