SiYuan

Productivity

Free open sourceEditorial overview
A CLOSER LOOK

What is SiYuan?

SiYuan organizes personal knowledge using editable blocks, references and structured documents. It combines local note storage with a rich editor for people who want linked information without making a cloud service mandatory.

Block references

Rich-text editing

Document organization

Local data

Is it a good fit?

Best suited to

People organizing local knowledge with reusable note blocks.

Before you choose

Optional official sync, cloud storage and subscriptions are separate from local use.

Editorial assessment based on the provider’s published information. Our method

Know what you're signing up for.

SiYuan offers AGPLv3 local application at no license charge. Optional official sync, cloud storage and subscriptions are separate from local use.

Optional official sync, cloud storage and subscriptions are separate from local use.

Check current official pricing

The useful parts. The trade-offs.

Why consider it

Block references connect reusable pieces of knowledge

Local operation gives control over working notes

What to keep in mind

Workspace structure requires learning

Managed synchronization is separate from the free local core

How to use it well

SiYuan is useful when the same piece of information belongs in several contexts. Referencing a block can preserve one source of truth, while notebooks and documents provide the surrounding explanation needed to understand it.

Build a small notebook around one subject, then reference existing blocks instead of duplicating them in new documents. Keep exports and workspace backups as separate habits. Evaluate the official sync offering only after deciding which devices need access to the same knowledge base.

A few things you might be wondering.

Is SiYuan free?

SiYuan offers AGPLv3 local application at no license charge. Optional official sync, cloud storage and subscriptions are separate from local use.

Can SiYuan link smaller units than whole documents?

Yes. Block references are central to its knowledge organization model.

Does local use require buying cloud storage?

No. The local application is open source; official cloud and sync offerings are separate.

Where can I check the latest prices?

Use the provider link on this page. Billing period, location, team size, promotions, taxes, and optional extras may affect the amount you pay.

How should I compare this tool with alternatives?

Choose tools for the same task, then compare their feature limits, platform support, and total cost for your team. The Compare button helps you keep a shortlist.

Are the user reviews moderated?

Yes. New reviews are submitted for moderation. We show published user reviews separately from the editorial overview and never assign a default user rating.

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