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A free Notion alternative
zvena Docs is a team space for notes, wikis, tasks and specs. Familiar blocks and databases, a Notion importer, and live mockups from zvena Design right inside the page.
What zvena Docs does
- Block-based pages: headings, lists, to-dos, toggles, quotes, callouts, columns, code with syntax highlighting, math, Mermaid diagrams and embeds.
- Databases with eight views: table, board, list, gallery, calendar, timeline, chart and form — with filters, sorts and grouping.
- Properties: status, dates, files, unique IDs, formulas, relations and rollups.
- Page and row templates, database automations, synced blocks and buttons.
- Comments, page history, publishing to the web and forms that collect responses into a database.
- Live Design frames: paste a board into a spec and the preview stays current.
- Shared workspaces with editor, commenter and viewer roles and invite links.
- Offline-first: pages open instantly from your browser's cache, even without a connection.
zvena Docs vs Notion
| Feature | Notion | zvena Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Price for a team | Paid per member | ✓ Free, unlimited members |
| Blocks and nested pages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Databases and views | ✓ Yes | ✓ 8 view types |
| Formulas, relations, rollups | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Forms | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Publish a page to the web | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Templates | ✓ Large marketplace | ≈ 32 built-in templates |
| Import from Notion | — | ✓ Markdown & CSV export |
| Real-time co-editing of one page | ✓ Yes | ≈ Edits save in turn; you see who else is there |
| Page-level permissions | ✓ Yes | ≈ Roles per workspace |
| Works offline | ≈ Partly | ✓ Pages open from the browser cache |
| Built-in design tool | ≈ Embeds from other tools | ✓ zvena Design with live previews |
| AI features | ✓ Notion AI | ✗ None, by design |
| API and integrations | ✓ Yes | ✗ Not yet |
Notion is a trademark of Notion Labs, Inc. Comparison based on publicly available information; features and plans change over time.
What's missing
- Real-time co-editing of the same page. Changes are saved in turn and the latest one wins; a presence indicator shows who else is editing. True simultaneous editing is on our roadmap.
- Permissions on individual pages and guests invited to a single page. Today roles apply to a whole workspace.
- Mobile apps. zvena works in the mobile browser.
- An API and third-party integrations.
- Calendar and mail apps in the spirit of Notion Calendar and Notion Mail.
- AI. Deliberately: your pages are never sent to an AI model or used for training.
Who it's for
- Product teams that keep specs and mockups in one place.
- Startups and nonprofits that need a wiki and task tracker without per-member bills.
- Students and researchers organizing notes, reading lists and projects.
- Anyone who wants a capable workspace without AI.
Moving over? Follow the step-by-step guide: Migrate from Notion.
Free for everyone. No credit card, no trial, no ads.