· · Paula C
Migrating from Notion to AppFlowy or AFFiNE? Read This First
To migrate from Notion to AppFlowy, export your workspace as Markdown & CSV, then use AppFlowy Cloud's import tool. Note that formulas and rollups may not transfer. For a faster, zero-knowledge alternative, SimplyBoard offers instant search and client-side encryption without the technical overhead of self-hosting open-source software.
Moving away from Notion in 2026 usually stems from two frustrations: the sluggishness of a cloud-heavy interface and the lack of true privacy. If you are looking to migrate from notion to appflowy or explore other open-source alternatives like AFFiNE, you are likely seeking a local-first experience where you own your data.
However, the migration process is rarely a one-click affair. Depending on whether you choose a self-hosted tool or a zero-knowledge cloud service, the technical overhead and feature parity will vary significantly.
How Do I Export My Data From Notion?
Before you can move to any alternative, you must extract your data. Notion allows for a workspace-wide export, but the format you choose determines how much manual cleanup you will face later.
- Navigate to Settings & Members in your Notion sidebar.
- Select Settings and scroll to the Export Content section.
- Click Export all workspace content.
- Choose Markdown & CSV as the export format. This is the most portable format for tools like AppFlowy or SimplyBoard.
- Ensure Include subpages is toggled on.
Once the export is triggered, Notion will email you a download link to a ZIP file. Be aware that for large workspaces, this process can take several minutes or even hours. The resulting ZIP contains a folder structure that mirrors your Notion hierarchy, with .md files for pages and .csv files for databases.
Can I Migrate From Notion to AppFlowy Directly?
AppFlowy provides a built-in import tool, but its effectiveness depends on which version of AppFlowy you are using. As of 2026, there is a distinction between the local-only version and the AppFlowy Cloud version.
According to community documentation, importing Notion ZIP files is only supported in the AppFlowy Cloud version, not in the local version. If you are running a strictly local instance, you may need to import individual Markdown files manually, which can be tedious for large knowledge bases.
What Happens to Databases During Migration?
When you migrate from notion to appflowy, your databases will generally convert into AppFlowy tables. However, complex Notion features do not always survive the trip. Users have noted that when migrating data, you will lose specific functionality like rollups and formulas in your tables. You should expect to rebuild your logic-heavy dashboards from scratch.
Is AppFlowy Faster Than Notion?
One of the primary reasons users switch is performance. AppFlowy is built with Flutter and Rust, which are known for being fast and lightweight. Because it is designed to run on your own machine by default, there is no cloud dependency or loading screens for every page transition.
If you are tired of the "spinning wheel" in Notion, the local-first architecture of AppFlowy offers a significant speed boost. However, this speed comes at the cost of setup complexity. You are responsible for managing your own backups and ensuring your local database is secure.
How Do I Migrate From Notion to AFFiNE?
AFFiNE is another popular notion database alternative that focuses on a "canvas-first" approach. It blends the structured document style of Notion with the free-form whiteboard style of Miro.
To migrate to AFFiNE:
- Open the AFFiNE desktop app or web version.
- Go to the workspace settings and look for the Import tab.
- Upload your Notion Markdown export.
- Review the "Edgeless" mode to see if your structured notes have been converted into blocks that can be moved around a canvas.
AFFiNE is particularly strong for users who find Notion too rigid. However, like AppFlowy, it requires a learning curve to understand its unique block-based architecture.
Are There Notion Alternatives Without AI in 2026?
Many users are searching for notion alternatives without ai 2026 because they find the constant AI prompts intrusive or are concerned about their data being used for model training.
While AppFlowy and AFFiNE have integrated AI features, they are often optional or can be self-hosted (using local LLMs). If you want a completely "clean" experience focused purely on note-taking and organization, you might prefer a tool that prioritizes encryption and speed over generative features.
Why Choose a Zero-Knowledge Alternative Instead?
While AppFlowy and AFFiNE offer great local-first experiences, they require you to manage your own infrastructure if you want to sync across devices securely. If you want the privacy of a local-first tool but the convenience of a cloud sync, a zero-knowledge encrypted app is the middle ground.
SimplyBoard is designed for users who want to migrate from notion to faster alternatives without the headache of managing Docker containers or manual ZIP imports. It uses AES-256-GCM encryption directly in your browser. This means your notes are encrypted before they ever reach the server, providing a level of privacy that Notion cannot match.
The Benefits of a Search-First Workflow
Unlike Notion, which relies heavily on nested folders and complex databases, SimplyBoard uses a search-first approach. With an encrypted IndexedDB cache, you can perform instant fuzzy searches over your entire knowledge base even when offline. This eliminates the "where did I put that?" friction common in bloated Notion workspaces.
How to Handle Data Privacy During Migration?
When you export your data from Notion, it exists as plain text on your hard drive. This is a critical security window. If you are moving to a new tool, ensure that the destination is either strictly local or uses client-side encryption.
- Notion: Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, but Notion employees can technically access it if required for support or legal reasons.
- AppFlowy: Data stays on your machine. You own the keys, but you are responsible for physical security.
- SimplyBoard: Data is encrypted with a key derived from your password using Argon2id. The company cannot read your notes, even if they wanted to.
If you are looking for a private alternative to Notion, the transition should focus on reducing the number of parties who have access to your raw text.
What Are the Technical Trade-offs of Open-Source Alternatives?
Choosing an open-source tool like AppFlowy or AFFiNE involves trade-offs that aren't always apparent in the marketing copy:
- Sync Complexity: Setting up a self-hosted sync server (like AppFlowy Cloud self-hosted) requires technical knowledge of Docker and cloud providers.
- Mobile Experience: Local-first apps often struggle with mobile synchronization compared to cloud-native apps.
- Database Limitations: As mentioned, Notion's advanced database features (formulas, relations, rollups) are highly proprietary. No open-source alternative currently offers a 1:1 replacement for complex Notion relational databases.
For many, a simpler personal knowledge management tool that focuses on Markdown and fast retrieval is more sustainable than trying to recreate a complex Notion setup in a new environment.
Is SimplyBoard the Right Alternative for You?
If your goal in 2026 is to find a notion alternative no ai privacy first, SimplyBoard offers a streamlined path. It avoids the bloat of Notion while providing the security of a local-first tool.
It is keyboard-first and offline-first, meaning it opens instantly and syncs whenever you have a connection. You can organize your work into multiple workspaces and use list, board, or canvas views without the performance lag of a heavy web app.
To start your migration, you can simply copy your Notion Markdown files into SimplyBoard. Because it stores content as plain text / Markdown, you are never locked in. You can export your data at any time, maintaining the sovereignty that Notion often denies its users.
If you are ready for a faster, more private way to work, you can start using SimplyBoard for free. It provides the SOC 2 and ISO 27001:2022 certified infrastructure you need for peace of mind, without the prying eyes of big-tech AI.
Summary of Migration Steps
- Audit your Notion workspace: Delete old pages to make the export smaller.
- Export to Markdown/CSV: This is the universal language for modern note apps.
- Choose your path:
- Choose AppFlowy if you want a local-first, Rust-powered desktop experience. - Choose AFFiNE if you want a visual, canvas-based workspace. - Choose SimplyBoard if you want instant, zero-knowledge encrypted notes that work everywhere without setup.
- Manual Rebuild: Plan to spend 1-2 hours rebuilding your most important database views and formulas, as these rarely migrate perfectly.
- Verify Encryption: If privacy is your goal, test the offline and encryption capabilities of your new tool before committing your most sensitive data.
Moving away from Notion is a significant step toward data ownership. Whether you choose the open-source complexity of AppFlowy or the encrypted simplicity of SimplyBoard, the result is a faster, more focused digital environment.
Frequently asked questions
Is AppFlowy a good alternative to Notion in 2026?
Yes, AppFlowy is an open-source, local-first alternative to Notion built with Rust and Flutter. It allows you to store data on your own machine, providing better performance and privacy. However, it lacks some of Notion's advanced relational database features like complex formulas and rollups during the migration process.
How do I move my Notion data to AFFiNE?
The most reliable way to move data from Notion to AFFiNE is by exporting your Notion workspace as Markdown files. AFFiNE can then import these files, though you may need to manually adjust the layout if you use its unique 'Edgeless' canvas mode for visual organization.
Are there any Notion alternatives that don't use AI?
Most open-source alternatives like AppFlowy and AFFiNE offer AI features that are either optional or can be connected to local LLMs. If you want a completely AI-free experience, SimplyBoard is a privacy-focused choice that avoids generative AI prompts in favor of speed and encryption.
What is the difference between Notion's security and zero-knowledge encryption?
Notion uses standard cloud encryption, meaning they hold the keys to your data. Zero-knowledge encryption, used by apps like SimplyBoard, ensures that your notes are encrypted on your device before being uploaded. This means the service provider cannot read your content, offering superior privacy for sensitive information.
Will AppFlowy be faster than Notion for large databases?
AppFlowy is generally much faster than Notion because it is a native desktop application that runs locally. It eliminates the latency caused by Notion's heavy cloud-based architecture, though you must manage your own backups and synchronization if you choose not to use their cloud service.
What makes SimplyBoard different from Notion or AppFlowy?
SimplyBoard is a search-first, encrypted note-taking app that serves as a lightweight alternative to Notion. It uses AES-256-GCM encryption and Argon2id for security, offering a fast, offline-first experience with list, board, and canvas views without the complexity of Notion's database engine.
