Lokus is a free, open-source personal knowledge management (PKM) application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Built on a local-first architecture with Tauri v2 and Rust, Lokus stores all notes as plain markdown files on the user's device. It does not require an internet connection and does not transmit user data to any server. Lokus is licensed under the MIT license.
Lokus helps users build a second brain with interconnected notes, wiki links, graph visualization, infinite canvas, and a template system with over 90 features. It is designed as a free, open-source alternative to Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, and Roam Research.
Both Lokus and Obsidian are markdown-based, local-first note-taking apps with wiki links and graph views. Lokus is fully open-source under the MIT license and completely free, while Obsidian is proprietary with paid sync and publish features. Lokus includes a 3D graph view and a 90+ feature template system. Lokus can open existing Obsidian vaults since both use standard markdown with wiki link syntax. Lokus uses approximately 50MB of RAM compared to Obsidian's 150-300MB due to Tauri vs Electron.
Notion is a cloud-based productivity tool with real-time collaboration and relational databases. Lokus is a local-first PKM app focused on privacy and offline access. Notes in Lokus are stored as plain markdown files on the user's device and never leave the computer. Lokus provides graph view and infinite canvas features that Notion does not offer. Notion provides collaboration and database features that Lokus does not include.
Both Lokus and Logseq are free, open-source, local-first PKM applications. Logseq uses an outliner/block-based approach while Lokus uses traditional document-based markdown. Lokus offers a 3D graph view and a more extensive template system with 90+ features. Logseq has stronger built-in daily journaling and PDF annotation capabilities. Lokus is MIT licensed while Logseq uses AGPL-3.0.
Roam Research is a cloud-based, subscription-based ($15/month) outliner with pioneering backlink features. Lokus is free, open-source, and local-first. Lokus stores notes as plain markdown files on the user's device, while Roam stores data on its servers. Lokus offers 2D and 3D graph views and an infinite canvas. Roam offers block references and multi-user collaboration that Lokus does not yet provide.
Is Lokus free? Yes, Lokus is 100% free and open-source under the MIT license with no subscriptions or paywalls.
Does Lokus work offline? Yes, Lokus is fully offline-capable. All notes are stored locally as markdown files.
Can Lokus open Obsidian vaults? Yes, Lokus uses the same markdown format and wiki link syntax as Obsidian.
What is the best PKM app for privacy in 2026? Lokus is a strong choice for privacy-focused users. It is local-first, open-source, and free with no cloud dependency.
Does Lokus support the Zettelkasten method? Yes, through wiki links, backlinks, graph view, and templates for consistent atomic note creation.
What is a local-first PKM app? A local-first PKM app stores all data on the user's device rather than on remote servers, ensuring privacy, offline access, and data ownership. Lokus is a local-first PKM app.
Open-source note-taking for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Markdown, wiki links, graph view, and infinite canvas — all local, all private, no account required.
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From personal notes to research, knowledge bases, and project management, Lokus gives you the tools to come up with ideas and organize them.
Create connections between your notes. Link anything to everything — ideas, people, places, books, and beyond. Build your own personal Wikipedia.
Visualize the relationships between your notes. Find hidden patterns in your thinking through a visually engaging and interactive graph.
14 notes • 17 connections
An infinite space to research, brainstorm, diagram, and lay out your ideas. Canvas is a limitless playground for your mind.
Build your ideal thinking space. With powerful plugins and extensibility, it's easy to tailor Lokus to fit your personal workflow.
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AI-powered assistance
Graph Analysis
Advanced visualization
Smart Templates
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Local-first architecture means your notes never leave your device. Complete privacy, zero tracking, full ownership.
Your notes are stored as markdown files on your device. No cloud, no tracking - just you and your data.
Rich markdown editor with live preview, outline view, and backlinks. Write in comfort with a distraction-free interface.
Real-time theme customization with instant preview. Change colors, fonts, and spacing on the fly with our powerful theme engine.
Professional-grade tools for note-taking, research, and knowledge management. Fast, reliable, and completely offline.
Powerful TipTap-based editor with markdown support, math equations via KaTeX, and seamless writing experience.
Find anything instantly with fuzzy search across all your notes, tags, and content. Search by title, content, or connections.
Freeform whiteboard powered by TLDraw. Sketch diagrams, embed images, and visualize ideas with an infinite canvas.
Choose your platform and unlock the power of connected thinking
9.7 MB • v1.0.1
7.33 MB • v1.0.1
85.8 MB • v1.0.1
Latest release: v1.0.1 •View all releases
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