SiYuan
SiYuan: A capable personal knowledge system with strong free features and costly upgrades. Ranked #16 of 214 in Note-Taking Apps by our editors (7.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for self-hosters wanting block-based notes.
At a glance
- Editor score7.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSelf-hosters wanting block-based notes
- Free planYes
- Paid from$64 one-time
- Offline accessYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Block references, bidirectional links, databases and flashcards
- Docker deployment with broad desktop, mobile and web coverage
- Free local storage tier with Markdown WYSIWYG editing
Where it doesn't
- PRO Features require a $64 one-time payment
- Official cloud services require the $148 Subscription plan
- The Subscription billing presentation is inconsistent
Our verdict on SiYuan
SiYuan is an open-source personal knowledge management and note-taking application built around block-based documents. It suits people who want structured notes with block-level references, bidirectional links, databases, flashcards and Markdown WYSIWYG editing. Its audience includes self-hosters, privacy-conscious users and anyone who wants the same knowledge base across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web. A Chrome/Edge extension adds web clipping, while Docker deployment supports self-hosted installations.
The free plan provides basic functions and local storage for a lifetime, making it a substantial starting point for offline-first personal use. The $64 lifetime PRO Features tier adds third-party S3-compatible storage and WebDAV synchronization and backup integrations. The $148 lifetime Subscription plan includes those PRO features, cloud asset hosting, Cloud Inbox, 8GB of official cloud storage, and official data synchronization and backup. The pricing presentation deserves attention: the Subscription plan is displayed as lifetime, while its FAQ describes the subscription as annual. Buyers should clarify that distinction before choosing the paid tier.
SiYuan’s feature breadth is its main strength. It combines linked notes, relational databases with rollups and templates, spaced-repetition flashcards, exports to PDF, Word and HTML, AI writing and question answering through the OpenAI API, encrypted multi-device synchronization, and browser clipping. That range makes it a fit for personal knowledge workflows that extend beyond simple text notes. It is less suited to buyers seeking a narrowly focused notes app or a clearly defined team-collaboration product. Choose SiYuan for block-level organization, self-hosting and flexible storage options; consider an alternative if predictable subscription terms or collaboration is the priority.
Your product? Our editors can test SiYuan in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
SiYuan pricing
All 3 SiYuan plans and prices →
SiYuan fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $64 one-time |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web interface, Chrome/Edge extension, API, Docker self-hosting |
| Note sharing | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | Not verified |
| Storage limit | 8 GB |
| Integrations | OpenAI API, Amazon S3-compatible storage, WebDAV |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: OpenAI API, Amazon S3-compatible storage, WebDAV |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | b3log.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
SiYuan integrations
SiYuan lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- OpenAI API
- Amazon S3-compatible storage
- WebDAV
Alternatives to SiYuan
- Microsoft OneNoteA broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.9.3
- NotionA flexible workspace for teams that want notes and knowledge bases alongside databases and collaboration.9.2
- EvernoteA broad note-taking workspace for organizing information, tasks, calendars, and documents.9.0
Also Ranked In
SiYuan is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used SiYuan? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used SiYuan for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
SiYuan is listed in our Note-Taking Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/siyuan/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/siyuan.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update