Heptabase: Visual Knowledge Management for Deep Understanding

Heptabase is a visual knowledge management tool built for researchers, students, and knowledge workers who need to deeply understand complex topics through spatial organization, visual mapping, and interconnected note-taking.

Features

Visual Whiteboards

Infinite canvas whiteboards where you spatially arrange cards, notes, and connections to create visual maps of complex topics, enabling spatial thinking and pattern recognition.

Card-Based Notes

Rich note cards that can be placed on whiteboards, linked together, and organized into hierarchies, combining the depth of long-form notes with the flexibility of visual spatial arrangement.

Nested Whiteboards

Hierarchical whiteboard system where whiteboards can contain sub-whiteboards, enabling multi-level zoom from high-level overviews down to detailed topic explorations.

Journal & Capture

Daily journal for quick capture with easy promotion of journal entries into permanent cards and whiteboards, bridging the gap between fleeting thoughts and structured knowledge.

Bidirectional Links

Full bidirectional linking between cards with backlink panels, enabling networked thought within and across whiteboards for discovering connections between topics.

PDF & Highlight Integration

Built-in PDF reader with highlighting and annotation tools that create linked cards from highlights, seamlessly connecting source material with your analysis and notes.

Key Capabilities

Spatial Organization: Arrange knowledge visually for intuitive understanding
Tag System: Cross-cutting tags for organizing cards across whiteboards
Search: Full-text search across all cards, whiteboards, and journals
Markdown Editor: Full Markdown support with blocks, embeds, and formatting
Cross-Platform: Native apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android
Sync: Seamless synchronization across all devices
Export: Export to Markdown and other standard formats

Best For

Researchers mapping complex topics and literature connections visually
Students building visual study guides and concept maps
Writers organizing research and outlining complex narratives
Knowledge workers who think spatially and need visual organization
Anyone learning complex subjects who benefits from visual structure

Access

Subscription-based pricing with free trial
Native desktop apps for macOS and Windows
Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Web access for cross-platform use

Last built with the static site tool.