Siyuan
Privacy-first, local-first personal knowledge management with block-level bidirectional linking and end-to-end encrypted sync.
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.
Try Siyuan →Added to scored.tools on
Competitors to Siyuan
Other tools in the productivity category worth comparing.
Notion
9/10All-in-one workspace for docs, wikis, projects, and AI-powered knowledge management.
AnythingLLM
7.2/10All-in-one AI application for chatting with documents, AI agents, and custom models - fully private and local.
Mem0
7.2/10Persistent memory infrastructure for AI agents and applications that learns from user interactions.