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Alternatives · Note-Taking

SiYuan alternatives

SiYuan compared with 8 alternatives: Obsidian, Logseq, Trilium Notes, Joplin, Anytype and 3 more.

SiYuan has a free plan. Paid plans start at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). All 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
SiYuanThis toolFree plan · from $64 one-timeYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
LogseqFree plan · from $5/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Trilium NotesFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Browser extension
JoplinFree plan · from €2.40/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
AnytypeFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
BlinkoFree plan · from $5.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
NoteGenFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
SilverBulletFree plan · from $50/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux

How each one differs from SiYuan

  1. Obsidian

    Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device

    • Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • SiYuan is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Obsidian also covers Markdown and whiteboard.
    • SiYuan also covers databases.

    Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control

    Obsidian vs SiYuanObsidian pricing and details

  2. Logseq

    Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files

    • Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    • SiYuan is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Logseq also covers Markdown, whiteboard and daily notes.
    • SiYuan also covers databases.

    Suits: People who think in outlines and want their notes as plain-text files

    Logseq vs SiYuanLogseq pricing and details

  3. Trilium Notes

    Free, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base

    • Trilium Notes is free. SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists iOS and Android apps.
    • SiYuan is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Trilium Notes also covers Markdown and web clipper.
    • SiYuan also covers linked notes and databases.

    Suits: People building a large personal knowledge base on a desktop computer

    Trilium Notes vs SiYuanTrilium Notes pricing and details

  4. Joplin

    Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose

    • Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Joplin also covers Markdown and web clipper.
    • SiYuan also covers linked notes and databases.

    Suits: People who want open source notes synced through their own storage

    Joplin vs SiYuanJoplin pricing and details

  5. Anytype

    Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    • SiYuan is open source, according to its own site.
    • Anytype also covers kanban boards.

    Suits: People who want encrypted notes that keep working without an internet connection

    Anytype vs SiYuanAnytype pricing and details

  6. Blinko

    AI-assisted card notes, self-hosted or on Blinko Cloud

    • Blinko starts at $5.99 per month, billed monthly (Blinko Cloud Pro). SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists an iOS app.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    • SiYuan is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Blinko also covers AI search and Markdown.

    Suits: Capturing short thoughts quickly and sorting them out later

    Blinko vs SiYuanBlinko pricing and details

  7. NoteGen

    Open-source Markdown notes app that organizes captures with AI

    • NoteGen is free. SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • SiYuan is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • NoteGen also covers Markdown, whiteboard and web clipper.
    • SiYuan also covers linked notes and databases.

    Suits: People who capture fragments first and write them up later

    NoteGen vs SiYuanNoteGen pricing and details

  8. SilverBullet

    Scriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop

    • SilverBullet starts at $50 per user / year (Desktop Pro, required for work use). SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features).
    • Only SiYuan lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    • SiYuan is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • SilverBullet also covers Markdown and wiki.

    Suits: People who want Markdown notes they can query and script

    SilverBullet vs SiYuanSilverBullet pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in SiYuan

  • Syncing devices costs money: $64 once to use your own S3 or WebDAV storage, or the subscription for the official cloud.
  • The official cloud storage is limited to 8 GB per user.
  • Refunds are not available after subscribing; the vendor suggests trying the trial subscription in the desktop app first.
  • Browser access comes from a self-hosted Docker server or a desktop app on the same local network.
SiYuan pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to SiYuan?

The alternatives to SiYuan in this directory are Obsidian, Logseq, Trilium Notes, Joplin, Anytype, Blinko, NoteGen and SilverBullet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with SiYuan.

Is there a free alternative to SiYuan?

Yes. Trilium Notes and NoteGen are free to use. Obsidian, Logseq, Joplin, Anytype, Blinko and SilverBullet have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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