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Logseq

by Logseq · Application

Open-source, outliner-based knowledge base storing notes as local Markdown or Org-mode files with block references, queries and a graph view

AGPL-3.0-only licenseOpen sourceFreeLocal
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Link verified Nov 2, 2026

Overview

Logseq is an open-source personal knowledge-management application built around an outliner: every note is a tree of blocks, each addressable and embeddable elsewhere, and pages are generated from links and tags. Notes are stored as local Markdown or Org-mode files in a folder the user controls, with daily journal pages as the default entry point, bidirectional links, a graph view, flashcards, PDF annotation, whiteboards and a Datalog-based query language for building dynamic views. Desktop apps run on macOS, Windows and Linux with mobile apps for iOS and Android; synchronisation uses the user's own mechanism (Git, iCloud, Syncthing) or the project's paid Sync service. Plugins and themes extend the editor. The team has been developing a database-backed version with real-time collaboration, which has slowed releases of the file-based edition; the outliner model can feel restrictive for long prose, and block-level file formatting is Logseq-specific.

Capabilities

  • Outliner editing with block references and embeds
  • Local Markdown or Org-mode storage
  • Daily journals, backlinks and graph view
  • Datalog queries and dynamic views
  • PDF annotation, flashcards and whiteboards
  • Plugins, themes and optional Sync

Typical workflows

  1. Journal daily and let pages emerge from links
  2. Annotate PDFs and link highlights into literature notes

Strengths

  • AGPL-3.0 open source
  • Local plain-text files
  • Block-level referencing

Limitations

  • File-based edition sees slower updates while the database version is built
  • Outliner structure suits notes more than long-form writing
  • Block syntax is Logseq-specific within Markdown files

Prerequisites

  • Desktop or mobile device; a sync method for multi-device use

Who it is for

  • Researchers and students taking networked notes
  • Developers who prefer open-source tooling

Alternatives & comparison

Obsidian is also local Markdown but page-based and closed-source with a larger plugin market; Logseq is open source and outliner-first. Notion is cloud-hosted with collaboration and databases; Craft focuses on polished Apple-native documents.

  • Craft

    Block-based document and notes app with native Apple, Windows and web clients, structured pages, collections and shareable published documents

    ProprietaryFreemium
  • Notion

    Hosted workspace combining block-based documents, relational databases, wikis and project views, with an API and built-in AI features

    ProprietaryFreemium
  • Obsidian

    Local-first Markdown note-taking app with bidirectional links, graph view and a large community plugin ecosystem; optional paid Sync and Publish

    ProprietaryFree
Compare Logseq with its alternatives →

Sources & verification

Primary sources consulted for this record. Claims are tied to the fields each source supports; the automated link checker re-verifies every URL on a schedule.

  • License
    LICENSE.md (AGPL-3.0)

    https://github.com/logseq/logseq/blob/master/LICENSE.md

    Supports: license_spdx, source_model

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Official documentation
    Logseq documentation

    https://docs.logseq.com/

    Supports: capabilities, data_formats

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Official site
    Logseq

    https://logseq.com/

    Supports: name, summary, operating_systems

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Repository
    logseq/logseq

    https://github.com/logseq/logseq

    Supports: languages, product_status

    checked Nov 1, 2026
Confidence
High
Reviewed
Nov 1, 2026
Links
Verified · Nov 2, 2026

Spotted an error?

Broken link, outdated license, wrong category, or a tool that no longer exists? Tell us; reports are reviewed by the editor.

Apple Notes

Apple Inc. · Personal knowledge management

Apple's built-in notes app for Mac, iPhone, iPad and iCloud.com with folders, tags, attachments, handwriting, shared notes and on-device search

ProprietaryFreeLocalNov 2, 2026

Bear

Shiny Frog Ltd. · Personal knowledge management

Markdown note-taking app for Mac, iPhone and iPad from Shiny Frog with nested tags, note links and iCloud sync, free with a Pro subscription

ProprietaryFreemiumPaidLocalNov 2, 2026