can i fork it?
open sourceAGPL-3.0Local or hosted★ 46kactive aug 2026

SiYuan

A block database wearing a note app's clothes, with the fiddly bits exposed.

Visit b3log.org ↗Source code ↗

Technical Profile & Specs

verified 2026-08-10

Cost
$0 / forever (Open Source)
License
AGPL-3.0
Hosting Model
Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud)
Platforms
desktopmobileself-hostedextensionone-click install
Installation
Desktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting
Operational Setup
The desktop app installs cleanly, but free cross-device sync is not a turnkey feature: official cloud sync is a paid membership feature and Docker hosting does not transparently become desktop/mobile sync
Where Your Data Lives
A workspace stores block documents as structured .sy JSON files plus assets on disk; SQLite files hold indexes and auxiliary state; documents can export to Markdown, HTML, PDF, and Word
The Catch / Trade-off
SiYuan is a powerful local block database but lacks Anytype's encrypted peer-to-peer spaces, object-type UX, and relationship-centric collections.

Replaces 6 paid apps

up to $87.98/mo ($1,056/yr) in subscriptions

Anytype🧠 notes & knowledge$4/moCompare Anytype vs SiYuan →
Capacities🧠 notes & knowledge$11.99/moCompare Capacities vs SiYuan →
Evernote🧠 notes & knowledge$14.99/moCompare Evernote vs SiYuan →
Notion🧠 notes & knowledge$12/moCompare Notion vs SiYuan →
Roam Research🧠 notes & knowledge$15/moCompare Roam Research vs SiYuan →
Tana🧠 notes & knowledge$30/moCompare Tana vs SiYuan →

SiYuan FAQ

Common questions

Is SiYuan free and open source?+

SiYuan is an open-source tool licensed under AGPL-3.0 that runs on local or hosted. A block database wearing a note app's clothes, with the fiddly bits exposed.

What paid software does SiYuan replace?+

SiYuan serves as a free replacement for 6 paid SaaS applications: Anytype, Capacities, Evernote, Notion, Roam Research, Tana, saving up to $87.98/month ($1,056/year) in subscription bills.

How do you install and set up SiYuan?+

Installation: Desktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting. Setup notes: The desktop app installs cleanly, but free cross-device sync is not a turnkey feature: official cloud sync is a paid membership feature and Docker hosting does not transparently become desktop/mobile sync

What is the catch or trade-off with SiYuan?+

SiYuan is a powerful local block database but lacks Anytype's encrypted peer-to-peer spaces, object-type UX, and relationship-centric collections.