Tana costs $30/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Tana, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Tana vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $30/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiYuan | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 46k | Tana vs SiYuan → |
| Logseq | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Local | ★ 44k | Tana vs Logseq → |
| Trilium Notes | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Local or hosted | ★ 37k | Tana vs Trilium Notes → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
SiYuan
open sourceAGPL-3.0Local or hosted46kaug 2026Structured blocks, attributes and database views, with less magic and more switches.
The catch vs TanaSiYuan can structure blocks and show database views, but it lacks Tana's fast command-driven supertags and fluid live-search-node workflow.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobileself-hostedextensionone-click install
- install
- Desktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting
- 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
- engines
- Built-in AI features connect to OpenAI-compatible APIs using a configured endpoint and key
- your data
- 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
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Logseq
open sourceAGPL-3.0Local44kaug 2026An outliner with properties, templates and queries; supertags arrive as several smaller ideas.
The catch vs TanaLogseq has properties, templates, and queries but no single supertag system that instantly turns blocks into typed records with live structured views like Tana.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobileone-click install
- install
- Desktop or mobile installer from the official downloads/releases
- setup
- The first decision is whether to stay on the mature file-based edition or adopt the newer database edition and its migration path; either way, sync and backups need deliberate setup
- your data
- The established file-based edition stores pages as Markdown or Org files plus assets in a local graph folder; the newer database-backed edition uses a different local database model
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Trilium Notes
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Local or hosted37kaug 2026Templates, relations and attributes turn notes into records, though the outline is a tree.
The catch vs TanaTrilium's one-primary-parent tree is much more rigid than Tana's block outliner and supertag-driven views for reusing the same structured information.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopwebself-hostedextensionone-click install
- install
- Desktop release package, or Docker Compose/image for a server and browser client
- setup
- The desktop app is straightforward, but cross-device sync and browser access require operating a Trilium server, persisting document.db, and handling backups and upgrades
- your data
- Notes, hierarchy, attributes, revisions, and most attachments live in a local or server-side SQLite database named document.db; notes can be exported to HTML, Markdown, or OPML
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Tana open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Tana?+
The top free alternative to Tana is SiYuan (open source, AGPL-3.0). Structured blocks, attributes and database views, with less magic and more switches. Other popular Tana replacements include Logseq, Trilium Notes.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Tana?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Tana, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: SiYuan (AGPL-3.0), Trilium Notes (AGPL-3.0+).
How much does switching from Tana to a free alternative save?+
Tana starts at $30/month per seat ($360/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like SiYuan saves $1,800 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Tana clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Tana is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). The visible structured networked notes loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Tana earns its keep through polish, sync, importers, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
What is the catch when switching from Tana to SiYuan?+
SiYuan can structure blocks and show database views, but it lacks Tana's fast command-driven supertags and fluid live-search-node workflow.
