How to Build Your Own Notion
Replace Notion with a custom build. The AI workspace that works for you
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 53 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 53 features
Security / Admin(6 features)
Workspace owners can filter, search, and troubleshoot permissions across all workspace content
Prevent external sharing, disable guests, and set workspace-level rules
Access detailed log of security and safety-related activity to identify issues and troubleshoot access
Establish ownership of company domain and take actions on workspaces belonging to verified domain
Manage employee access at scale with secure single sign-on
+1 more in this category
Collaboration / Security(5 features)
Override teamspace permissions for specific people or groups for even more granular control
Collaborate in databases without giving access to entire database, limit access to specific rows
Workspace members can send guest invite requests for owner review when guests are disabled
Create groups of people according to role or department to streamline page and teamspace permissions
Create teamspaces that can't be seen or discovered by anyone except those added, great for sensitive information
Content Management(3 features)
Upload files with size limits varying by plan
Restore your page to a previous version with varying retention periods by plan
Add a verified badge to pages that are up to date, appears in search results and AI citations
Publishing(3 features)
Connect custom domain to published pages and remove Notion branding
Publish Notion pages to the web and create custom sites
Publish unlimited pages to the web with customization options
Support(3 features)
Team of Customer Success Managers available to help get the most out of Notion
Tailored, proactive around-the-clock support offerings for teams with specialized needs
Priority support access for help with the product
Admin(2 features)
Manage users within domain with dashboard for information and changes
Consolidate content from multiple workspaces including users, content, and permissions
Collaboration(2 features)
Invite external collaborators with guest limits varying by plan
Create dedicated areas for teams to work together with open, closed, and private options
Data Collection(2 features)
Create dynamic forms where questions appear only when relevant based on previous responses
Capture, organize, and act on responses right inside Notion with basic and custom forms
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Notion
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 53 features at very easy complexity.