List of personal knowledge management systems

Methodologies

Abbreviation: What it means:

  • FOSS Free and open-source software
    Free Everything that is part of the app is free
  • Free +$ Free, but has additional paid features
  • Paid Most or all features are paid
  • n. desktop with native desktop app
  • nn. non-native
  • W/M/L - Windows/Mac/Linux
  • iOS/A - iOS/Android
  • BDL - Bidirectional linking
  • Links - Regular links between notes

Side note 1: Apps that have both web & native apps are under “Web-based applications” and are specified accordingly, however, only native apps are under “Native applications”.

Side note 2: Native apps assume local storage unless otherwise stated.

Side note 3: If there’s a question mark somewhere, it means that I’m not sure. If you know what correctly belongs there, I’d appreciate it if you let me know in the comments. Thanks.

Web-based applications

Apple-only applications

Dedicated mind-mapping applications

They aren’t in any order, and they aren’t ranked.

Let me know if I’ve missed any or if any of the information is incorrect/ could be improved. Thanks!

CC - UNKNOWN

13 Likes

It’s not free but XMind is a great mind mapping tool that I’ve been using for years. I’d recommend checking it out.
Also, as much as people like to hate on MS, OneNote is actually really great free software.

4 Likes

What is this ???!!

Thanks for this info. :+1:
Any idea where can I get good resources for learning Zettelkasten (using Obsidian)? I have read How to Take Smart Notes by Sonke Ahrens which is great that it sold me to use the system. I just want to have some practical guide on how to use it.