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SiYuan
What it is
SiYuan is a personal knowledge management system for organizing notes with Markdown, block-level references and bidirectional links. Its content is structured as blocks, with more than 20 block-level element types and more than 10 span-level types. Users can search and filter backlinks, view relationship graphs, and build databases with relations, rollups and templates. Spaced repetition uses the FSRS algorithm. Its AI feature accesses OpenAI for writing continuation, translation, summaries, brainstorming, and grammar and spelling corrections. SiYuan supports offline use across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with a web interface, Chrome and Edge extensions, an API and Docker self-hosting. The maker says it does not collect personal information or usage data, and describes multi-device sync as end-to-end encrypted and incremental. Free access includes basic functions and local storage. The PRO Features listing shows $64 a month while describing a one-time payment for lifetime use; third-party S3 and WebDAV sync and backup are included, but third-party storage is not. Another subscription listing shows $148 a month and 8GB cloud storage; its pricing details also refer to lifetime pricing and an annual subscription.
For and against
For
- Supports offline access across desktop and mobile platforms.
- Backlinks and relationship graphs help connect notes.
- Free plan includes basic functions and local storage.
- Maker describes multi-device sync as end-to-end encrypted.
Against
- PRO listing's monthly price conflicts with its lifetime-payment wording.
- Subscription listing also refers to annual billing.
- Third-party storage is not included with PRO Features.
The verdict
SiYuan combines linked, block-based notes with databases, flashcards and optional AI assistance. Review the plan wording carefully, since the listed prices and billing descriptions are not fully aligned.
Who it suits
SiYuan may suit people who want an offline-capable personal knowledge system with linked notes, databases and self-hosting options. Its listed plans distinguish local storage from third-party integrations and cloud storage.
Plans and prices
Free
Basic functions · Local storage
Read 4 Oct 2026 · b3log.org
PRO Features
Basic functions · Third-party S3 and WebDAV sync and backup integrations; storage service not included
Read 4 Oct 2026 · b3log.org
Subscription
PRO Features · 8GB official cloud storage · Cloud assets hosting · Cloud Inbox
Read 4 Oct 2026 · b3log.org
On the record
- AI
- The AI feature accesses OpenAI and can help continue writing, translate, summarize, brainstorm, and correct grammar and spelling.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Block editing
- It organizes content as blocks and includes more than 20 block-level element types and more than 10 span-level element types.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Databases
- Databases support relations, rollups, and templates.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data format
- The download FAQ says notebook documents use .sy files and the data format is JSON.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Encrypted sync
- The maker describes multi-device sync as end-to-end encrypted and incremental.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Flashcards
- Spaced repetition uses the FSRS algorithm.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Paid options include third-party S3 and WebDAV data sync and backup; users must provide their own storage, and Nutstore is not supported for WebDAV.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Knowledge links
- The product provides backlinks with filtering and search, plus global and block-level relationship graphs.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Large documents
- The maker says dynamic loading allows documents with millions of words to be edited smoothly on ordinary computers.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Note sharing
- Yesb3log.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Offline access
- Yesb3log.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The download page says SiYuan is completely open source and that most features are free, including for commercial use.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says SiYuan does not collect user personal information or usage data and that data is kept on the user's device under their control.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SiYuan describes itself as a privacy-first personal knowledge management system supporting Markdown, block-level references, and bidirectional links.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- SiYuan can be deployed on a server using its Docker image, with access rights controlled through an authorization code.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Storage limit
- 8b3log.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support and trial
- The pricing FAQ says users can enable a trial subscription in SiYuan Desktop under Settings - Account, but does not state its duration; it also says subscriptions are non-refundable.b3log.org · read 4 Oct 2026
