PKM apps are basically posh versions of note-taking apps. They have become trendy recently and stand for personal knowledge management apps.
Many people have turned to this as a way to handle the following things better:
Connect and build relationships between notes. Visualize your notes in a graph-like structure. Go deeper with the research collection and recall of notes.
PKM apps have become a better way to extract more from your note-taking by allowing you to connect notes using backlinks, create graphs of how notes are connected, and resurface notes for later adoption in practices like Second Brain.
The whole PKM movement really took off around 2026, when people started realizing traditional note-taking apps weren't cutting it for knowledge workers. If you're still using folders and tags to organize everything, you probably know the pain: you create a note about a project, then six months later you can't remember which folder you dumped it in. Total nightmare.
That's where PKM apps shine. Instead of forcing you to pick one folder (is this note about 'Marketing' or 'Q4 Planning'?), these tools let you connect ideas naturally through backlinks. Type something like [[Project Alpha]] and boom, you have created a link that shows up in your graph view. Over time, you build this web of connected thoughts that actually mirrors how your brain works.
What is a PKM app?
PKM apps are like advanced note-taking apps that connect notes. This is called networked thought in the PKM world and helps to connect notes and build a graph view for exploring note relationships. PKM apps can help improve your knowledge management process. PKM stands for Personal Knowledge Management and is a note-taking style.
It is an advanced knowledge management system that many people look to as a way to organize and structure their notes better and use them more effectively in the future. Think of it this way: regular note apps are like filing cabinets, but PKM apps are more like a brain with neurons firing connections everywhere.
The beauty of PKM is you don't need to be perfect about organization upfront. You just capture ideas and link them as you go. Six months from now, when you stumble on a connection between two seemingly unrelated notes from different projects, that is when PKM really clicks. Honestly, once you see your first graph view with 200+ notes all connected, it is kind of addictive.
1. Obsidian
Best Value for All Round
Obsidian is a note-taking application that focuses on helping you connect notes using backlinks, graph view, and networked thought. Obsidian is the best free PKM solution on the market. If you're on one device, Obsidian is free forever, meaning you can use it and store those PKM notes on your device without worrying about upgrading.
There is a $4 monthly upgrade to link with the cloud and store your notes on one account across devices. If you're budget-conscious, focus on the desktop, and want your notes stored on a device, Obsidian is a healthy choice. With a good free plan and packed with features for PKM, Obsidian is the best PKM app overall.
What really sets Obsidian apart is the plugin ecosystem. There are literally hundreds of community plugins that extend functionality in wild ways: spaced repetition for learning, kanban boards for project management, even advanced AI integrations. The core app stays lean, but you can customize it until it fits exactly what you need. Some people go overboard and install 30+ plugins, which honestly can slow things down, but the flexibility is unmatched.
The markdown-first approach means your notes are just plain text files on your computer. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary format. If Obsidian disappeared tomorrow (it won't), your notes are still there as .md files you can open in literally any text editor. That peace of mind matters when you're building a knowledge base you plan to use for years.
Pros:
Comes with PKM abilities Powerful graph view for networked notes Obsidian adds new features fairly regularly You can switch on and off features Free & easy access Lacks project management Does not have database abilities Obsidian is free to use with no limits; there is a $4 per month pricing for E2E notes & sync.
2. Tana
Best AI PKM App
Tana is one of the more advanced PKM tools and has many powers. Tana is a note-taking app focused on system-based organization. It comes with powerful features like supertags, AI abilities & a growing community of users. Features like graph view, superstars, and AI abilities help you better organize PKM notes in one place.
Supertags are a unique system in Tana that allows you to apply the power of templates to each of the notes you take. They allow you to add critical metadata to notes that you can reuse, which makes things easier with search. Many people already use the concept of super tags in apps like Capacities; they are object-like tags that help you reuse certain types of notes for powerful resurfacing.
Look, Tana has a learning curve that'll make your head spin at first. The supertag system is brilliant once you get it, but expect to spend a weekend watching tutorials before things click. I remember trying to set up my first supertag for meeting notes and just staring at the screen confused for like an hour. But then it clicked, and now I can't imagine going back.
The AI features in Tana are actually useful, not just marketing fluff. You can ask it to summarize your daily notes, extract action items from meeting notes, or even generate content based on your knowledge base. Some folks on Reddit complain it is overkill for simple note-taking, and yeah, if you just need a shopping list app, Tana is probably too much. But for knowledge workers managing complex projects? Game changer.
Tana Pros:
Powerful abilities Suitable for individuals & teams Designed for PKM Could be difficult to learn Tana is free, pricing starts from $8 per month, per user.
3. Logseq
Best for Flashcards & Community: Logseq
Logseq is a popular PKM tool as it offers great free access & powerful features. Logseq is a note-taking app focused on connecting notes. It has features like whiteboards, flashcards, and powerful networked thought abilities. It allows you to take notes, connect them up, and see them within a graph view.
People also like that Logseq also has a powerful way to see your notes as flashcards, perfect for students and researchers. Features like whiteboards allow users to bring ideas together in one and daily notes allow users to journal within the app to express ideas.
If you're hunting for a similar tool to Obsidian, whiteboards as part of the experience, and a powerful way to connect up notes, then this is an interesting option.
Logseq also has flashcards, which don't work as well as RemNote, but it does offer an additional thing that Obsidian does not have natively.
Pros:
Powerful PKM application Comes with whiteboards for visual thinkers Perfect for students making flashcards Well-built too that works offline Can be difficult to learn and implement Logseq is free to use with no announced pricing.
4. Reflect Notes
Best for Security & Kindle Lovers: Reflect Notes
Reflect Notes is a note-taking app that handles notes and tasks and organizes your upcoming meetings from Google Calendar as notes for agendas and more. It is also focused on secure note-taking with E2E encryption.
It integrates artificial intelligence to streamline the management of notes, meeting notes, and ideas, making it a smart companion for those seeking efficiency.
Its user-friendly design makes the integration of AI into everyday knowledge management seamless and approachable. The AI's ability to provide smart summaries and insights is a game-changer, allowing users to save time while enhancing the overall productivity of their knowledge management efforts.
As a PKM tool, Reflect Notes sits between a traditional tool and a PKM app, allowing you to have the traditional feel of Evernote but the power of Obsidian.
Reflect Notes is a networked thought note-taking tool for notes, daily notes & tasks.
Pros:
Balanced design between PKM & note-taking app Always adding new features and AI abilities Designed for busy professionals Amuch better focus on security Much pricier option Can be overwhelming for more basic note-takers Reflect Notes is $10 per month, billed annually. No free plan.
5. Heptabase
Best for Researchers & Visual Thinkers: Heptabase
Heptabase is a visual note-taking app designed to help you bring ideas together in a canvas view. It allows you to add and link notes, which is popular with researchers and students. Heptabase is perfect for visual thinkers & those who want to get into PKM.
It balances both worlds very well by having a canvas mode that allows you to add ideas by dragging them together much like apps like Miro and Milanote.
Hetpabase even has some project management abilities like Kanban views which people will like if they want more structured ways to manage all their knowledge base. It makes for a different, yet great PKM for visual thinkers and those who like open-plan ways of bringing ideas together. If you're a researcher, student, or visual thinker, Heptabase is a must-try.
The application perfectly bridges the gap between handling notes in a PKM style whilst still being able to express them in a whiteboard fashion.
Pros:
Good abilities for visual thinkers The desktop and mobile app work well Works well for connecting notes Can be overwhelming Not suitable for everyone Heptabase is priced at $11.99 per month, with cheaper annual pricing. There is no free plan.
6. Roam Research
Best for PKM Nerds: Roam Research
Roam Research offers a more traditional and structured way to connect ideas and notes, emphasizing networked thought strongly. Its bi-directional linking feature creates a deep, interconnected web of knowledge, catering to users who prefer a systematic approach to organizing their thoughts.
Roam Research's methodical and thorough knowledge organization style is particularly well-suited for users who seek a meticulous and interconnected system for their ideas and information.
Roam Research is less attractive than many of the options on this list but still is very functional and powerful for PKM management. If you're wallet-conscious, Roam is still one of the more expensive note-taking apps on the market.
Roam Research is for networked thought for connecting ideas, notes and thoughts.
Pros:
Comes on all devices Powerful block references Supportive community Might be a bit heavy for some
7. Capacities
Best for Object Note-Taking: Capacities
Capacities is a note-taking tool for PKM that uses object types to organize how you structure your knowledge base. It is popular with busy professionals and those who want to manage their notes using this system. Capacities introduce an innovative object-based approach to note-taking and PKM, organizing information around distinct knowledge units or 'objects'.
This approach allows for a more ible and intuitive way of handling data, appealing to many knowledge workers. Capacities' integrated knowledge framework supports a more holistic view of personal and professional knowledge, making it an ideal tool for those seeking an adaptable and comprehensive knowledge management solution.
Pros:
Beautiful Notion-like design It comes with a calendar mode for daily notes Works well offline with near offline functionality Comes with AI features for chatting with notes Easy to use once you get started Lacks powerful databases It can be complicated for the average note-taker Capacities are free to use, with a $9.99 per-month upgrade needed to access premium abilities.
8. Anytype
Best for Object Notes: Anytype
Anytype is a note-taking tool that organizes notes using object types. It is popular thanks to its focus on offline, open-source, and local-first approaches to access. It can be used for project management, note-taking, and journalling. It is recognized for its focus on graph-based note-taking, offering users a unique way to visualize and manage information.
Its object-centric design is tailored to those who conceptualize information regarding networks and relationships.
Anytype's emphasis on graphical representation and versatile data organization makes it an excellent choice for individuals who think visually and seek an innovative way to organize and interact with their knowledge and ideas.
If you're hunting for something offline first, secure, works open source, comes with markdown, and has a generous free offering, then Anytype could be for you. Many people are comparing it to the Notion alternative that can be used offline, with features that are beginning to rival the powers of Notion.
Pros:
Open-source note-taking Local-first and peer-to-peer networking Works with markdown and native on desktop It comes with sets and collections for set-ups Good-rated iOS, and Android on respective App Stores Privacy-focused notes with E2E secure notes Good community and audience It can be overwhelming to use Limited database abilities compared to Notion Still developing features
Quick Questions
PKM systems can be built by first adopting an approach. Common approaches could be Zettlekasten, second brain, and Cornell note-taking system that can help you start to build a system, however, many people just start bringing notes together in a PKM tool and connecting them using backlinks to start building their PKM system.
Many apps can help with PKM and serve as PKM tools for you including note-taking apps, email apps, social bookmarking apps, bookmarking apps, to-do list apps, and any tool that helps collect knowledge and stores it for re-use.
Organizing a personal knowledge base depends on your strategy. Many people use systems like the second brain that adopt concepts like PARA (projects, areas, resources, archives) to organize the structure of their knowledge base. Looking at how you organize your base can help your knowledge flow better for you.
PKM tools are perfect for the system of Second Brain as they embrace how CODE methodology very well that is embedded in this process. PKM apps typically make good Second Brain apps. PKM apps are allowing many people to connect notes as they've never done before by introducing relationships between notes and allowing you to see how they connect.
Honestly, don't overthink the methodology at first. I see people spend three weeks researching Zettelkasten vs PARA before writing their first note. Just pick an app and start dumping ideas in there. Your system will evolve naturally as you use it. I started with zero structure in Obsidian, just daily notes and random thoughts. Six months later, patterns emerged and I reorganized everything into something that actually worked for my brain.
The beauty of most PKM apps is they are flexible enough to support whatever framework you land on. Want to go full Zettelkasten with atomic notes and unique IDs? Cool. Prefer PARA with strict folder structures? Also works. Or just wing it with tags and backlinks until something sticks? That works too. The worst thing you can do is get paralyzed by methodology debates and never actually start building your knowledge base.
