SurfSense
SurfSense is an innovative open-source alternative to tools like NotebookLM and Perplexity, designed as a highly customizable AI research agent. It connects to a variety of external sources, including search engines (Tavily, LinkUp), Slack, Linear, Notion, YouTube, and GitHub, with plans for further integrations. SurfSense empowers users to build a personal knowledge base by uploading content in multiple formats and interacting with it through natural language queries.
Key Features
- Multiple File Format Support: Upload documents, images, and videos with support for 34 file extensions.
- Powerful Search: Quickly research and retrieve information from saved content.
- Chat with Content: Engage in natural language conversations with cited answers.
- Privacy & Local LLM Support: Works seamlessly with Ollama local LLMs for enhanced privacy.
- Self-Hostable: Open-source and easy to deploy locally using Docker or manual installation.
- Podcast Generation: Convert chat conversations into audio content rapidly with multiple TTS providers.
- Advanced RAG Techniques: Supports over 150 LLMs, 6000+ embedding models, and hybrid search for optimal results.
- External Source Integration: Connects to various platforms for comprehensive research.
- Cross-Browser Extension: Save webpages, including those behind authentication, directly to your knowledge base.
Use Cases
SurfSense targets researchers, developers, and knowledge workers who need a private, customizable research tool. It is ideal for managing personal data, conducting deep research with cited responses, and automating content creation like podcasts. Its self-hosting capability appeals to users prioritizing data privacy and control.
