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Heptabase

Heptabase is a visual note-taking app that organizes knowledge on infinite whiteboards. Cards, bidirectional links, and PDF annotation make it especially popular with researchers and students working on complex projects.

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Listed Apr 2026

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From $8.99/month

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+12%

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Distribution Score: 10/100 What is this? ⓘ

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What is Heptabase?

Heptabase is a visual knowledge management tool built around infinite whiteboards and spatial note cards. Unlike folder-based tools, it lets you place notes called cards freely on a canvas and reuse each card across multiple whiteboards, so a single idea can live in several research contexts at once.

The result is a system designed not for filing things away, but for actively thinking through complex topics. Founded by Alan Chan after dropping out of Minerva University, Heptabase was built to solve one problem: how to establish deep understanding of anything, faster.

Heptabase reached seven-figure ARR within two years of its 1.0 launch in September 2023 a trajectory fueled almost entirely by word of mouth. The company participated in Y Combinator's W22 batch and has since grown to over 350,000 active users worldwide, with an estimated $7M ARR.

The Heptabase user retention challenge growth teams often cite is the steep initial learning curve: the spatial paradigm requires abandoning folder-based mental models.

Founder Alan Chan addressed this through daily Discord sessions, cohort retention analysis in Amplitude, and relentless iteration until engagement compounded users now average roughly 40 minutes per day inside the app, with churn below 12%.

The platform supports multiple content formats including PDFs, audio, video, highlights, and journals, and is built offline-first with ultra-fast global search across 10,000+ notes. Pricing starts at $8.99/month billed annually or $11.99/month on a monthly plan, with a 7-day free trial.

Team plans enable collaborative workflows with shared whiteboards and role management. Heptabase runs on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and in browser, syncing in real time.

For researchers, students, and deep-work professionals who find linear note-taking too limiting, it offers a spatial alternative designed around how complex thinking actually works.

Key Features

✓Infinite whiteboards

✓Card-based block editor

✓Bi-directional links

✓PDF annotation

✓Readwise sync

✓Zotero integration

✓AI chat with whiteboards

✓Daily journal

✓Sub-whiteboards

✓Offline access

✓iOS and Android apps

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Pricing & Access

$8.99/month Monthly

Pricing details on provider page.

SEOGANT Expert Verdict

Heptabase is a visually-driven knowledge management tool designed for learners of all types, including students, researchers, and independent learners. Its advanced AI capabilities help users conduct in-depth research, generate reliable citations, and analyse various sources such as PDF, YouTube, journals, and notes. Heptabase's main strength lies in the way it facilitates organization and synthesis of information. It features a whiteboarding function that supports conceptual clarity and enhances the learning process. The tool allows users to create a comprehensive knowledge base integrating all their sources, notes, highlights, and discussions. It employs a block-based editor to help users build their information repository and offers bi-directional links for connecting ideas. Moreover, Heptabase features integrations with Readwise for syncing book notes and highlights, a PDF annotation interface for marking and reviewing essential sections and seamless integration with Zotero, a reference management software. It's blazing-fast search functionality, offline access, real-time collaboration, and mobile readiness enhance the overall user experience. Aimed at promoting effective learning, the tool uses AI for processing challenging knowledge areas, aiding users in acquiring deep insights from their readings. Heptabase's flexibility, functionality, and adaptability make it a valuable tool for people interested in mastering various subjects and accomplishing research objectives. Alternatives: InstantMind, Flowova AI, Qonqur

Distribution Score 10/100 based on SEO presence, traffic quality, affiliate program, community size, and churn resistance.

Editorial Note A hands-on take from our team

Stacy Tischelmayer Editor, AI Tool Reviews LinkedIn ↗ Apr 30, 2026

I evaluated Heptabase for two months alongside Notion AI and Roam Research, comparing them on the same set of research workflows — synthesizing 40+ academic papers for a literature review. Heptabase's spatial whiteboards genuinely change how you encounter your own past notes: instead of a flat search-driven retrieval, you walk back into a visual landscape you previously built. The trade-off is a steeper onboarding ramp than Notion (which welcomes anyone with a blank page) — but for sustained multi-month projects, the cognitive payoff compounds. Worth a serious trial if you're working on anything thesis-shaped.

★★★★☆ 4/5

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Heptabase free?

Check the official Heptabase website for the latest pricing details.

What is Heptabase used for?

Heptabase is a visual note-taking app built on infinite whiteboards and spatial cards. $8.99/month. Used by 350,000+ researchers and deep-work professionals. It belongs to the Design category.

How do I get started with Heptabase?

Visit the official Heptabase website to sign up and explore the available plans.

Founder

Heptabase Team

Founder

"Heptabase is a visually-driven knowledge management tool designed for learners of all types, including students, researchers, and independent learners. Its advanced AI capabilities help users conduct in-depth research, generate reliable citations, and analyse various sources such as PDF, YouTube, journals, and notes. Heptabase's main strength lies in the way it facilitates organization and synthesis of information. It features a whiteboarding function that supports conceptual clarity and enhances the learning process. The tool allows users to create a comprehensive knowledge base integrating all their sources, notes, highlights, and discussions. It employs a block-based editor to help users build their information repository and offers bi-directional links for connecting ideas. Moreover, Heptabase features integrations with Readwise for syncing book notes and highlights, a PDF annotation interface for marking and reviewing essential sections and seamless integration with Zotero, a reference management software. It's blazing-fast search functionality, offline access, real-time collaboration, and mobile readiness enhance the overall user experience. Aimed at promoting effective learning, the tool uses AI for processing challenging knowledge areas, aiding users in acquiring deep insights from their readings. Heptabase's flexibility, functionality, and adaptability make it a valuable tool for people interested in mastering various subjects and accomplishing research objectives. Alternatives: InstantMind, Flowova AI, Qonqur"

Heptabase Score: 10

$8.99/month · Monthly · MRR From $8.99/month verified · +12% MoM

Heptabase

Distribution Score: 10/100 What is this? ⓘ

What is Heptabase?

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SEOGANT Expert Verdict

Editorial Note A hands-on take from our team

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