Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Tana · 🧠 notes & knowledge
Tana vs SiYuan
Structured blocks, attributes and database views, with less magic and more switches. Here is how SiYuan ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Tana ($30/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Tana vs SiYuan Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Tana (Paid) | SiYuan (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $30 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $360 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $360) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,600 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,600) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopmobileself-hostedextensionone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 46k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Tana to SiYuan
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
SiYuan can structure blocks and show database views, but it lacks Tana's fast command-driven supertags and fluid live-search-node workflow.
How to deploy SiYuan
Desktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting
What it takes to run
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
Why fork SiYuan instead of vibe-coding a Tana clone?
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.
Tana vs SiYuan FAQ
Is SiYuan a good free alternative to Tana?+
Yes. SiYuan is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0) replacement for Tana. Structured blocks, attributes and database views, with less magic and more switches.
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.
How much do you save switching from Tana to SiYuan?+
Tana costs $30/mo ($360/yr) per seat, whereas SiYuan is $0/mo. Switching saves $360/yr for a solo user, $1,800/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,600/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host SiYuan instead of Tana?+
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
