Free, open-source alternatives to Roam Research
Networked notes with backlinks. 3 apps you can run yourself instead of Roam Research, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
SiYuanBest match
A privacy-first personal knowledge management software, written in typescript and golang.
TriliumNext Notes
Cross-platform hierarchical note taking application with focus on building large personal knowledge bases (fork of Trilium Notes).
SilverBullet
Note-taking application optimized for people with a hacker mindset.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiYuan | 46,739 | AGPL-3.0 | Docker, Go | |
| TriliumNext Notes | 38,301 | AGPL-3.0 | Node.js, Docker, Kubernetes | |
| SilverBullet | 6,302 | MIT | Docker, Deno |
Why replace Roam Research?
Roam Research works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Roam Research?
SiYuan is the closest open-source replacement for Roam Research in our list. TriliumNext Notes and SilverBullet are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Roam Research?
Yes. All 3 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.