⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: AFFiNE Pro paid plans start at $6.75/month. XTiles starts at $8.25/month per user. Both keep a free version.
- Best for: AFFiNE Pro suits knowledge management and an all in one workspace. XTiles suits visual organization and note taking.
- Key difference: AFFiNE Pro is a local first, open source project. XTiles is a cloud drag and drop tile board.
- Our pick: AFFiNE Pro for most users. It combines documents, whiteboards and databases in one app.
Both XTiles and AFFiNE Pro promise to help you stay organized in one app.
But they take very different paths to get there.
XTiles is a visual board built around drag and drop tiles.
AFFiNE Pro is an open source project that fuses docs, whiteboards and databases.
This guide compares both apps so you can pick with confidence.
Overview
This XTiles vs AFFiNE Pro comparison covers pricing, key features and ease of use.
We also break down who each platform works best for.
Our writers spent hands-on time with both apps.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end, you will know which tool fits your specific needs.
What is AFFiNE Pro?
AFFiNE Pro is an open source note-taking app for pages, notes and collaborative whiteboards.
It combines documents, whiteboards and databases into a single platform.
The app lets you write, draw and plan all in one place.
AFFiNE AI adds intelligent assistance for writing, drawing and planning.
Its page and block structure feels familiar to Notion users.
AFFiNE Pro
A local first, privacy focused workspace for docs, whiteboards and databases. Great for knowledge management and content creation.
AFFiNE Pro Pricing
Here is what AFFiNE Pro costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FOSS + Basic | Free forever | Solo users and the open source community |
| Pro | $6.75/month | Freelancers wanting advanced features |
| Team | $10/seat/month | Teams needing a collaborative workspace |
Pricing verified January 2026.
Free version: Yes. The FOSS + Basic plan is free forever with core features.
Money-back guarantee: Paid plans bill monthly, so you can cancel before the next cycle.
📌 Note: Because AFFiNE is open source, you can self-host the app for free and contribute to the codebase.
⚠️ Warning: Cloud sync and AI credits are tied to paid plans. The free version stores data mostly on your device.
Key Benefits of AFFiNE Pro
Here is what makes AFFiNE Pro worth considering:
- Hyper fused platform: One unique combination of docs, whiteboards and databases. You move between writing and visual work in one place.
- Local first and privacy focused: Your data lives on your device first. This appeals to people who care about data sovereignty.
- Open source project: A community-driven app you can contribute to. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, plus browser access.
- AFFiNE AI: Built-in AI helps you write, draw and plan. This intelligent assistance speeds up content creation.
- Advanced databases: Kanban boards and database collections help you manage projects and track progress.
- Two editing modes: Page Mode for structured writing and Edgeless Mode to brainstorm ideas on a canvas.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for AFFiNE Pro and used it for note taking and project planning. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
AFFiNE Pro Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Open source and free forever on the basic plan
- Combines docs, whiteboards and databases in one app
- Local first design keeps your data private
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux and the browser
❌ Cons
- Newer app with a smaller template library
- Fewer native integrations than older tools
- The many features create a steeper learning curve
What is XTiles?
XTiles is a visual workspace for note taking, tasks and projects.
You organize content on a grid using a drag and drop interface.
Each tile can hold text, images, links or video.
XTiles helps visual thinkers organize notes and ideas quickly.
It ranks among the friendlier note taking apps for beginners.
XTiles
A visual drag and drop workspace for notes, tasks and projects. Great for people who think in tiles, not long documents.
XTiles Pricing
Here is the pricing XTiles offers in 2026. Let’s break it down.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Individuals and personal use |
| Plus | $8.25/month/user | Solo users wanting unlimited storage |
| Family | $12.42/month/3 users | Small groups sharing spaces |
| Team | $24.92/month/team | Teams needing a collaborative workspace |
Pricing verified January 2026.
Free plan: Yes. It includes unlimited blocks, projects and 100+ free templates.
Money-back guarantee: XTiles offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.
📌 Note: The free version limits file storage to 5MB per file. The Plus plan unlocks unlimited storage and premium templates.
⚠️ Warning: Paid plans renew automatically unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time before renewal.
Key Benefits of XTiles
Here is what makes XTiles worth considering:
- Visual organization: Drag, drop and resize tiles on a grid. This suits visual thinkers who dislike complex apps.
- Free templates: Over 100 free templates cover project plans, meeting notes and daily planning.
- Real time collaboration: Team members can edit and share workspaces at the same time.
- Extensive integrations: A Zapier integration connects 7000+ other apps. It also links with Google Calendar.
- Task management: Create to do lists, assign tasks and set deadlines inside your notes.
- Mobile app: A mobile app syncs your workspaces across devices on the go.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer spent time building a visual workspace in XTiles. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
XTiles Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Simple, intuitive interface for visual thinkers
- Free plan with unlimited blocks and projects
- Over 100 free templates for quick starts
- Zapier integration links 7000+ other tools
❌ Cons
- No built-in whiteboard or database mode
- Free plan caps file storage at 5MB
- Not open source, so you cannot self-host
Feature Comparison
Ready to dive deep into XTiles vs AFFiNE Pro? We compare eight key features to help you pick the right platform. The goal is better organization and higher productivity for your workflow.
| Feature | XTiles | AFFiNE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8.25/month | $6.75/month |
| Free Version | ✅ | ✅ |
| Whiteboard Feature | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced Databases | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI Assistance | ❌ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ✅ |
| Zapier Integration | ✅ | ❌ |
| Mobile App | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best For | Visual note taking | Knowledge management |
1. Visual Organization & Canvas
XTiles: Visual organization is the core here. You arrange tiles on a grid to organize information the way you think. It suits people who want visual structure without complex apps.
AFFiNE Pro: An Edgeless Canvas lets you brainstorm ideas freely. You can switch between Page Mode and this canvas to share ideas visually. It doubles as a whiteboard and a document.
2. Note Taking & AI Writing
XTiles: Notes live inside tiles alongside images and links. You can embed Google Docs, YouTube videos and Google Meet links as different blocks. This makes note taking feel more like a visual pinboard than a text editor.
AFFiNE Pro: AFFiNE AI offers intelligent assistance while you write. It helps draft, summarize and clean up notes. This speeds up content creation and sparks creativity, letting you do more things in one app.
3. Whiteboards & Drawing
XTiles: XTiles has no true whiteboard. It focuses on structured tile layouts instead. If free-form drawing matters to you, this is a real gap.
AFFiNE Pro: The whiteboard feature supports sketching, doodling and drawing in real time. Teams can visualize ideas together. It even supports switching between typing and handwriting.
4. Templates & Frames
XTiles: Over 100 free templates cover project plans, meeting notes and planners. Premium templates arrive on paid plans. This is one of the strongest template libraries for note taking apps.
AFFiNE Pro: Pre-loaded frames give you starting points for docs and canvases. The library is smaller but growing with each latest version.
5. Task & Project Management
XTiles: You can create to do lists, assign tasks and set deadlines inside notes. Tasks gather into a sidebar so you track tasks in one view. It handles light project management well.
AFFiNE Pro: Kanban boards and an AI Planner help you manage projects and track progress. You can create task lists and set deadlines across different projects. It scales better for project planning.
6. Databases & Knowledge Base
XTiles: XTiles supports nested pages for better organization. It does not offer advanced databases, though. For a deep personal knowledge base, it falls short.
AFFiNE Pro: Database collections turn notes into a structured knowledge base. This unique combination of docs, whiteboards and databases powers real knowledge management.
7. Workspaces for Freelancers & Teams
XTiles: Ready-made dashboards fit freelancers, students and marketing teams. Team collaboration is strong: members collaborate in real time, leave comments and assign tasks. These collaboration tools suit client work and digital products alike.
AFFiNE Pro: A Presentation Maker turns docs into slides. AFFiNE is trusted by next gen startups and established organizations. Live real time collaboration keeps teams in sync.
⚠️ Warning: AFFiNE Pro packs so many capabilities that new users face a steeper learning curve than XTiles.
8. Storage, Privacy & Platform
XTiles: Paid plans unlock unlimited storage and unlimited spaces. The free version caps files at 5MB. It runs in the browser and through a mobile app.
AFFiNE Pro: A local first, privacy focused design keeps data on your device. It runs on any major operating system: Windows, macOS and Linux. Storage management gives you control over your data.
9. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.
| Plan | XTiles | AFFiNE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free forever |
| Individual | Plus: $8.25/month/user | Pro: $6.75/month |
| Group | Family: $12.42/month/3 users | ❌ |
| Team | $24.92/month/team | $10/seat/month |
XTiles: The plus plan and business plan cost more per user. You pay for polished templates and a simple visual layout.
AFFiNE Pro: The Pro plan undercuts XTiles by $1.50 a month. You also get more features, including AI and databases, for less money.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tight budget | AFFiNE Pro | Cheaper Pro plan, free forever tier |
| Visual note taking | XTiles | Drag and drop tile grid |
| Whiteboards and databases | AFFiNE Pro | Built into one platform |
| Ready-made templates | XTiles | 100+ free templates |
| Data privacy | AFFiNE Pro | Local first and open source |
💰 Your Budget
AFFiNE Pro costs less on paid plans and offers a free version. XTiles Plus and business plan tiers cost more per user.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
XTiles links to Google Calendar and 7000+ other apps through Zapier. AFFiNE Pro leans on its own combine documents workflow instead of many integrations.
📝 Your Work Style
Pick XTiles if you think in tiles and want to stay organized visually. Pick AFFiNE Pro if you want one app for notes, whiteboards and drawing.
🎓 Your Experience Level
XTiles has an intuitive interface that beginners grasp fast. AFFiNE Pro has a steeper learning curve because of all the features it packs in.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Both offer a free version, so test each first. Try building meeting notes or a timeline view in both before you commit.
🛟 Support Options
XTiles offers priority support on higher paid plans. AFFiNE Pro adds a community forum where users contribute fixes and ideas.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these tools? Here is what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from XTiles to AFFiNE Pro?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A whiteboard, drawing tools and advanced databases
- AI assistance to brainstorm ideas and boost productivity
- Open source, local first control over your data
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The huge free template library
- Zapier integration and Google Calendar sync
- The simplest possible tile layout
📋 How to switch:
- Export your XTiles notes and project plans
- Create a free AFFiNE Pro account
- Rebuild pages and databases in the new app
🔄 Switching from AFFiNE Pro to XTiles?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A simpler, more intuitive interface
- Premium templates and extensive integrations
- Google Calendar sync and a Chrome web clipper
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The whiteboard and drawing canvas
- Advanced databases and AI assistance
- Open source, offline-first data control
📋 How to switch:
- Export your AFFiNE Pro docs and databases
- Sign up for a free XTiles account
- Recreate content as tiles and nested pages
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individual users and small teams. We did not test enterprise rollouts or deep network security audits. Our notes reflect the January 2026 versions, so features may change. If you manage a large organization, your priorities may differ from what we cover here.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | AFFiNE Pro |
| 🚀 Core Features | AFFiNE Pro |
| 🎨 Visual Simplicity | XTiles |
| 🧩 Templates | XTiles |
| 🔐 Privacy & Data | AFFiNE Pro |
| 🔌 Integrations | XTiles |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | AFFiNE Pro |
🏆 WINNER: AFFiNE PRO
AFFiNE Pro wins 4 out of 6 categories.
Best for: knowledge management, project planning, and an all in one workspace for notes, whiteboards and databases.
XTiles and AFFiNE Pro solve different tasks for different people.
XTiles is a friendly visual board for note taking and light task management.
AFFiNE Pro is a feature rich, open source app that can enhance productivity across various tasks.
XTiles is excellent if you want the simplest way to stay organized.
But if you want all the features in one app, AFFiNE Pro is the better choice.
For a deeper look, our full XTiles review and AFFiNE Pro review test each app against different tools in the same category.
More of XTiles Compared
Here is how XTiles stacks up against other tools:
XTiles wins on: simpler visual layout, gentler onboarding, drag and drop tiles
Notion wins on: deeper databases, larger template market, more integrations
XTiles vs Capacities
XTiles wins on: visual tile grid, ready templates, real time collaboration
Capacities wins on: linked notes, personal knowledge base focus, object model
XTiles vs ClickUp
XTiles wins on: easier setup, visual note taking, cleaner interface
ClickUp wins on: heavy project management, timeline view, automations
More of AFFiNE Pro Compared
Here is how AFFiNE Pro stacks up against other apps:
AFFiNE Pro wins on: open source code, local first privacy, built-in whiteboard
Notion wins on: bigger community, more integrations, richer marketplace
AFFiNE Pro vs Anytype
AFFiNE Pro wins on: combined docs whiteboards and databases, AI drawing, presentations
Anytype wins on: object-based knowledge base, tighter graph links, mobile polish
AFFiNE Pro vs Coda
AFFiNE Pro wins on: free forever plan, offline data, edgeless canvas
Coda wins on: spreadsheet-style docs, packs marketplace, formula depth
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Notion and XTiles?
Notion is a block-based text editor for docs and databases. XTiles is a visual board where you drag and drop tiles. XTiles is simpler; Notion is more flexible.
Can I use XTiles for free?
Yes. The free plan includes unlimited blocks, projects and 100+ free templates. It limits file storage to 5MB per file. The plus plan adds unlimited storage.
Is AFFiNE Pro open source?
Yes. AFFiNE Pro is an open source project. The community can contribute code and customize it. A free forever plan is included, and you can self-host the app.
Does AFFiNE work offline?
Yes. AFFiNE Pro is local first, so it stores data on your device and works offline. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and the browser.
Which is better, XTiles or AFFiNE Pro?
AFFiNE Pro wins for knowledge management and value, with docs, whiteboards and databases in one app. XTiles wins for simple visual note taking and templates.
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