1
Obsidian
Obsidian is a local-first, Markdown-based personal knowledge management tool renowned for its extensive plugin ecosystem and graph view for visualizing connections between notes.
AI Tool
siyuan Review
siyuan is a privacy-first, self-hosted, fully open source personal knowledge management software with block-level references and Markdown WYSIWYG.
shipped Jun 10, 2026aifreemium
1Developed in TypeScript and Golang, siyuan is fully open source.
2It features a block-based architecture with permanent IDs, preventing broken links during reorganization.
3Supports cross-platform deployment on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and via Docker.
4Includes built-in spaced repetition (FSRS algorithm) and SQL querying capabilities for notes.
siyuan at a Glance
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Logseq
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Anytype
Anytype is a privacy-first, local-first, and open-source knowledge management tool that uses an object-based system for organizing information with end-to-end encryption.
4
Mindolph
Mindolph is an open-source personal knowledge management software with explicit Generative AI support across all desktop platforms.
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overview
What is siyuan?
siyuan is a personal knowledge management (PKM) tool developed by B3log that enables individuals and teams to organize and connect information with a focus on data ownership and offline functionality. It employs a block-based architecture, treating every content element as an individual, linkable component. This system allows for flexible organization, linking, and rearrangement of information, supporting the creation of comprehensive digital gardens and structured documentation. The software prioritizes complete offline usage, storing all data locally on the user's device, ensuring privacy and control. Beyond basic note-taking, siyuan integrates features such as spaced repetition flashcards, utilizing the FSRS algorithm, and offers built-in database views with relations, supporting SQL querying directly against note content for dynamic views and report generation.
quick facts
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | B3log |
| Business Model | Freemium |
| Pricing | Freemium (Free core, paid for sync/advanced features) |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Docker (Web via Docker) |
| API Available | Yes |
| Integrations | Internal SQL querying, FSRS algorithm |
features
Key Features of siyuan
siyuan provides a robust set of features designed for comprehensive personal knowledge management, emphasizing data privacy, control, and advanced organizational capabilities. Its architecture supports a highly interconnected knowledge base through block-level linking and a flexible content model.
- 1Privacy-first design ensuring local data storage and user control.
- 2Self-hosted architecture allowing full data ownership and deployment flexibility.
- 3Fully open source, developed using TypeScript and Golang, providing transparency.
- 4Markdown WYSIWYG editor for intuitive content creation and formatting.
- 5Block-level references with permanent IDs, preventing broken links during content reorganization.
- 6Bidirectional linking to establish a rich network of interconnected notes.
- 7Spaced repetition flashcards, powered by the FSRS algorithm, for effective learning and review.
- 8Built-in database views with relations and direct SQL querying against note content.
- 9Cross-platform support across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Docker for web access.
- 10Comprehensive API available for extensibility and custom integrations.
use cases
Who Should Use siyuan?
siyuan is tailored for users who prioritize data privacy, self-hosting, and advanced knowledge organization. Its feature set makes it suitable for a range of personal and professional applications requiring structured information management and robust linking capabilities.
- 1Individuals seeking a privacy-first personal knowledge base to organize research, notes, and ideas into a connected knowledge graph.
- 2Users who prefer self-hosting and full control over their data for daily notetaking and long-term knowledge retention, as a local-first alternative to cloud note applications.
- 3Developers and technical users for organizing technical knowledge, project documentation, and structured information due to its block-based system and SQL querying.
- 4Teams for structured project documentation and collaboration via self-hosting, enabling shared workspaces and a centralized knowledge repository.
- 5Academics and students for capturing academic notes with backlinks, block references, and utilizing spaced repetition for learning and effective review.
pricing
siyuan Pricing & Plans
siyuan operates on a freemium business model. The core application, offering full local-first functionality and all basic features, is available for free. This includes the Markdown WYSIWYG editor, block-level references, bidirectional links, and database capabilities. Paid tiers or subscriptions are primarily associated with advanced services such as official cloud synchronization and specific integrations like S3 and WebDAV, which have been noted to be behind a paywall. Specific pricing figures for these paid services are not publicly detailed in the provided data, but users have described the official cloud sync service as comparatively pricey.
- 1Free Tier: Includes the full core application for local-first usage on all supported platforms, offering all fundamental features for personal knowledge management.
- 2Paid Tier (Subscription): Provides access to official cloud synchronization services and advanced integrations such as S3 and WebDAV. Specific pricing details are not available.
competitors
siyuan vs Competitors
siyuan distinguishes itself in the personal knowledge management landscape by emphasizing privacy, self-hosting, and a fully open-source model, while also offering unique technical advantages over its competitors.
1
Obsidian is a local-first, Markdown-based personal knowledge management tool renowned for its extensive plugin ecosystem and graph view for visualizing connections between notes.
Similar to Siyuan, Obsidian offers a local-first, Markdown-based approach with bidirectional linking and a graph view. While Siyuan is fully open source, Obsidian is free for personal use with paid services for sync and publishing, and relies heavily on community plugins for AI functionality, whereas Siyuan has some built-in AI capabilities.
2
Logseq↗
Logseq is an open-source, local-first personal knowledge management system that emphasizes an outliner-style workflow and a powerful knowledge graph.
Both Logseq and Siyuan are open-source, local-first PKM tools featuring graph views and bidirectional linking. Logseq's primary focus is its outliner-based structure, contrasting with Siyuan's block-based editor and WYSIWYG interface.
3
Anytype↗
Anytype is a privacy-first, local-first, and open-source knowledge management tool that uses an object-based system for organizing information with end-to-end encryption.
Anytype shares Siyuan's commitment to privacy and local-first data storage. However, Anytype differentiates itself with an object-based data model and encrypted notes, while Siyuan focuses on block-level references and Markdown WYSIWYG.
4
Mindolph is an open-source personal knowledge management software with explicit Generative AI support across all desktop platforms.
Like Siyuan, Mindolph is an open-source PKM tool that integrates AI features. Mindolph is developed using JavaFX, whereas Siyuan is built with TypeScript and Golang, offering a different underlying technology stack.
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Frequently Asked Questions
+What is siyuan?
siyuan is a personal knowledge management (PKM) tool developed by B3log that enables individuals and teams to organize and connect information with a focus on data ownership and offline functionality. It employs a block-based architecture, treating every content element as an individual, linkable component.
+Is siyuan free?
Yes, siyuan operates on a freemium model. The core application, offering full local-first functionality and all basic features, is available for free. Paid subscriptions are required for advanced services like official cloud synchronization and specific integrations such as S3 and WebDAV, though specific pricing details for these are not provided.
+What are the main features of siyuan?
Key features of siyuan include its privacy-first and self-hosted design, fully open-source codebase (TypeScript, Golang), Markdown WYSIWYG editor, block-level references with permanent IDs, bidirectional linking, spaced repetition flashcards (FSRS algorithm), built-in database views with SQL querying, and cross-platform support across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Docker. It also offers a comprehensive API.
+Who should use siyuan?
siyuan is ideal for individuals seeking a privacy-first personal knowledge base, users who prefer self-hosting and full data control, developers and technical users for organizing documentation, teams for structured project collaboration via self-hosting, and academics/students for capturing notes with backlinks and spaced repetition.
+How does siyuan compare to alternatives?
siyuan differentiates itself from competitors like Obsidian by being fully open source and offering block-based linking with permanent IDs to prevent broken links. Compared to Logseq, it provides a block-based WYSIWYG editor. Against Anytype, siyuan focuses on Markdown and block references, while Anytype uses an object-based model with end-to-end encryption. It stands as a self-hosted, privacy-focused alternative to cloud-based tools like Notion, offering SQL querying capabilities.
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