Self-hosted Notion alternatives: what to look for
Wikis and docs you can run on your own server, and how a docs tool inside a team workspace compares.
The short answer
If you want Notion-style pages without sending your notes to a vendor's cloud, you have two routes: a standalone self-hosted wiki or docs app, or a team workspace that includes docs next to chat and tasks. The first gives you the deepest docs features. The second means fewer tools and one login.
Names such as AppFlowy, AFFiNE and Outline are open-source docs and wiki projects you can self-host. Check each project's current features and licence before you commit.
What to check
Real-time editing
Can two people type in the same page without conflicts?
Databases and tables
Notion's databases are the hard part to replace.
Sharing
Links with password, expiry and view-only.
Export
Can you get your pages out as Markdown or files?
Docs inside a workspace
Dock has real-time co-editing docs with a floating toolbar, comments and suggestion mode, share links with password and expiry, plus Base for tables, views and dashboards, and a wiki. Docs live beside your chat, so a decision in a channel can become a page in two clicks.
If you need deep database relations, rollups or a large template gallery, a dedicated tool may still serve you better. See Dock vs Notion.
Where Dock fits
Dock is a self-hosted team workspace for small teams. It has channels and DMs with threads and search, video meetings in the same app (with recording, transcripts and AI summaries), real-time docs, tables, calendar, tasks and a drive. An MCP server lets AI agents such as Claude Code read and post in your channels, and there is a Lark history import.
It runs as one Node process with one SQLite file, so backups and moves are copying a file. There is no per-seat licence; your cost is your own server. You run the server yourself, and the integration list is smaller than the big hosted tools.
Questions
Is there a self-hosted Notion?
Notion itself is hosted only. Open-source alternatives exist that you can self-host.
Can I import from Notion?
Dock has Markdown and file import for docs. Check the docs page for what converts.
Docs app or all-in-one workspace?
Choose a docs app if documents are your main work. Choose an all-in-one if chat, meetings and tasks matter as much.