Logseq if you want a Roam-shaped graph. Joplin if you want AGPL clients and a sync target — /compare/logseq-vs-joplin. Do not deploy Joplin Server for a company.

No. Obsidian is not open source. Official Sync is a vendor product — that lander stays skipped.

This page is a personal graph. A team wiki is /replace/notion (Docmost).

Stacks / Docs

Easy

Logseq

A local-first outliner you host or sync yourself. Logseq is AGPL-3.0 — Roam Research without the graph seat.

The problem

Roam Research is a hosted bidirectional-link outliner. You wanted a graph of daily notes you can export. Logseq is AGPL-3.0 (logseq/logseq): Markdown/Org files, a graph, and plugins. TriliumNext is the hierarchical notebook already on /replace/evernote. Joplin clients are AGPL; Joplin Server is personal-use — not the company vault. This is not Roam's every query SKU or a hosted multiplayer graph OS. Obsidian is not open source — /compare/joplin-vs-obsidian. Official Obsidian Sync stays skipped.

Replaces

Roam Research

Replace Roam Research See all best open-source notes apps

Estimated SaaS saved

$1,200

per year, small team, before lock-in

Start on Railway

Memos / TriliumNext if this is capture or a notebook, not a Roam graph

Sponsor this stack Tip jar

Logseq is a local-first app. A sync target you control (Git, WebDAV, or a file share) is the honest host. No one-click Roam clone in this repo — Start on Railway only if you are serving files. Capture notes stay on /stacks/memos-notes.

The stack

Logseq
AGPL-3.0 local-first outliner and knowledge graph
Catalog entry →
TriliumNext Notes
AGPL-3.0 hierarchical notebook if the job is a tree, not a graph
Catalog entry →

Cost table

You stop paying	Typical / year	Self-host instead
Roam Research (small team)	$1,200	Logseq + a sync target you control

Agent setup prompt

Replace Roam Research with Logseq on files you control.

- Official desktop or web build. Keep notes as Markdown/Org. Sync via Git or a folder you already back up. Do not claim Roam's hosted multiplayer graph.
- Capture notes stay on /stacks/memos-notes. Write AGENT_PROMPT.md.

Also as markdown: /stacks/logseq-roam.md

FAQ

Logseq or Joplin?: Logseq if you want a Roam-shaped graph. Joplin if you want AGPL clients and a sync target — /compare/logseq-vs-joplin. Do not deploy Joplin Server for a company.
Is this Obsidian?: No. Obsidian is not open source. Official Sync is a vendor product — that lander stays skipped.
Notes or a wiki?: This page is a personal graph. A team wiki is /replace/notion (Docmost).