Atomic Server

Self-Hosted

Decentralized open-source knowledge graph server for structured linked data

Overview

Atomic Server is a decentralized knowledge graph server built on Atomic Data standards, enabling structured, interoperable data management. It supports ActivityPub federation for cross-instance data sharing, with a built-in web UI, REST API, and Obsidian plugin integration for personal knowledge bases. Deploy easily via Docker, Docker Compose, or binary files—self-host on your server or join a federated instance. Ideal for users who value data ownership, privacy, and linked knowledge organization.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  atomic_server:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: atomic-server
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Decentralized knowledge graph using Atomic Data standards
ActivityPub federation for cross-instance data sharing
Obsidian plugin integration for personal knowledge management
Built-in web UI and REST API for data manipulation

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Atomic Server hard to install?

Atomic Server is accessible to users with basic server knowledge. It can be deployed quickly using Docker or Docker Compose (pre-built images available), and the official documentation provides clear step-by-step guides for setup and configuration.

? Is Atomic Server a good alternative to Notion?

It’s an excellent alternative if you prioritize data ownership, decentralization, and linked structured data. Unlike Notion, it’s federated and open-source, but it lacks Notion’s intuitive no-code interface and extensive template library—better for users who want control over their data structure.

? Is Atomic Server completely free?

Yes! Atomic Server is open-source under the MIT License, so you can self-host it for free without any hidden costs. Hosting expenses (like VPS or cloud instances) are the only potential costs, but there are no subscription fees for the software itself.

Top Alternatives

Notion Compare

Obsidian (self-hosted with plugins) Search Google

Logseq Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Knowledge Management Tools

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data ownership and privacy via self-hosting
⊕ Federated architecture to share data across instances
⊕ Open-source under MIT License (no subscription fees)
⊕ Structured linked data support for interconnected knowledge

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server administration skills for self-hosting
⊖ Smaller ecosystem and fewer integrations than mainstream KM tools
⊖ Steeper learning curve for Atomic Data and linked data concepts