Siyuan
Privacy-first, local-first personal knowledge management with block-level bidirectional linking and end-to-end encrypted sync.
How the 7.6 was reached
- Quality of output8/10
46,546 GitHub stars with recent pushes and only 6 open issues; a very active project. github.com
- Ease of use6/10
Desktop app plus Docker self-hosting for cloud use; docs page not found. b3log.org
- Pricing value9/10
Core app free forever including commercial use, open source under AGPL-3.0; optional sync at $64 or $148 one-time. b3log.org
- API and integration quality7/10
siyuan:// protocol, JavaScript/C plugins, web clipping, and export to Markdown, Word and HTML. github.com
- Solves the problem it claims to solve8/10
Local-first, privacy-focused Markdown knowledge base with block references, backed by 46,546 stars. github.com
7.6/10 is the mean of the 5 criteria that apply. Scored on the five-criteria rubric v1, 29 September 2026. How scoring works
Pricing
- Full local use
- Block editor
- Bidirectional links
- Flashcards (FSRS)
- Docker self-hosting
- No cloud sync
- End-to-end encrypted cloud sync
- Multi-device sync
- All Free features
Key Features
- Block-based editor with 20+ block element types and inline elements
- Bidirectional block links with backlink panel and knowledge graph visualization
- Spaced repetition flashcards using the FSRS algorithm
- Database blocks with relations, rollups, and templates
- OpenAI-compatible AI integration for writing, translation, and summarization
- End-to-end encrypted sync across devices
- Self-hosting via Docker; mobile device can act as a local server
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Truly local-first — works fully offline with no dependency on cloud services
- End-to-end encryption makes sync genuinely private, not just promised
- Block-level granularity for linking is more powerful than page-level linking in most PKM tools
- Handles very large documents (millions of characters) via dynamic loading
- Affordable paid tier — cloud sync is priced well below most competitors
Cons
- UI and documentation are primarily in Chinese; English translation lags behind
- Steeper learning curve than Notion or Obsidian for English-speaking newcomers
- Smaller plugin/theme ecosystem compared to Obsidian
- Mobile app is functional but less polished than desktop
- AI features require your own OpenAI-compatible API key — no built-in AI credits
Siyuan is one of the most capable local-first PKM tools available, particularly for users who prioritize privacy and block-level knowledge organization. It punches above its price for what it offers, but its Chinese-first UX and documentation create real friction for English-speaking users. Best suited for power users comfortable with PKM concepts who want Obsidian-level control with built-in encrypted sync.
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Siyuan Comparisons
Head-to-head comparisons featuring Siyuan.
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