Anytype vs SiYuan
Anytype is a local-first, end-to-end-encrypted object workspace you can even self-host; SiYuan is a free, open-source, block-based knowledge base with Notion-style databases and local storage. Here’s how they compare on pricing, platforms, linking, search, capture and collaboration — and how to decide between them.
What is Anytype?
Anytype wants to be the privacy-maximalist answer to Notion: objects with types, relations and sets, composed from blocks — but stored on your device, end-to-end encrypted, and synced peer-to-peer through a network you can self-host. The source is available (under its own license), and the free plan includes the full feature set with local storage limited only by your disk.
Collaboration arrived in 2024–25 via multiplayer shared Spaces, and publishing to the web followed, so it’s no longer strictly single-player. Paid tiers (Plus $4, Pro $8, Ultra $16 per month) mostly buy network storage rather than features. An official API and MCP server (2025) let AI assistants work with your data — notably, without Anytype itself pushing your notes through cloud AI, in keeping with its privacy stance.
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan packs a remarkable amount into an open-source (AGPL) package: block-level bidirectional links, WYSIWYG Markdown, Notion-like database and attribute views, spaced-repetition flashcards, a graph, PDF annotation and a plugin marketplace — all stored locally, with the option to self-host the whole thing in Docker. It’s free for personal and commercial use.
Sync is where money changes hands, modestly: a one-time PRO license (~$64) unlocks third-party S3/WebDAV sync, or you can subscribe to the official encrypted cloud service. The developer is China-based with a very active GitHub, and the app is fully usable in English. It’s single-player — no real-time collaboration — but as a personal all-in-one it rivals tools costing $100+/year.
Anytype vs SiYuan at a glance
| Anytype | SiYuan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Plus $4/mo; Pro $8/mo; Ultra $16/mo (mostly network storage) | Free; PRO one-time ~$64; optional paid official cloud sync |
| Free plan | Yes — full features, local storage unlimited | Yes — full core app, commercial use included |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android — no web app | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Docker (self-host) |
| Storage model | Local-first, peer-to-peer encrypted sync, self-hostable | Local-first; encrypted sync via official cloud or your own S3/WebDAV |
| Editing model | Object-based — types, relations, sets, blocks | Block-based WYSIWYG Markdown with database views |
| Backlinks & wiki links | Yes — relations and backlinks | Yes — block-level bidirectional links |
| Graph view | Yes — graph view | Yes — graph view |
| Search | Local full-text | Full-text, including SQL-style queries |
| Web capture | Basic clipper; mobile share | Browser clipping extension |
| Email-in capture | No | No |
| RSS / feeds | No | No |
| Team collaboration | Yes — multiplayer shared Spaces | No |
| Publishing & sharing | Publish objects to the web | Export or self-hosted sharing |
| AI assistant access | Official API + MCP server; no built-in cloud AI | Configurable OpenAI-compatible integration |
| Offline access | Yes — fully offline | Yes — fully offline |
| Open source | Source-available (own license) | Yes — AGPL-3.0 |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes — end-to-end, everything | Yes — encrypted sync |
| Data export | Markdown, JSON (protobuf) | Markdown, PDF, and more |
Pricing and features as of mid-2026 — check each product’s site for current details.
Where Anytype shines
- The strongest privacy architecture in the category: local-first, end-to-end encrypted, peer-to-peer sync, self-hostable.
- Object types, relations and sets bring real database power to personal notes.
- Nearly everything is free — paid tiers mainly add network storage.
- Official API and MCP server let AI assistants integrate on your terms.
Worth knowing: No web app — desktop and mobile apps only. The object/relation model has a steeper learning curve than plain notes. Web capture, feeds and email-in aren’t part of the picture; it expects you to create, not collect.
Where SiYuan shines
- An unusually complete free feature set: block refs, databases, flashcards, PDF annotation, graph — no plugins required.
- Open source (AGPL) with local-first storage and Docker self-hosting.
- Sync your own way — one-time license for S3/WebDAV, or the official encrypted cloud.
- Very active development with a plugin bazaar on top.
Worth knowing: No collaboration and no first-party hosted sharing beyond exports and self-hosting. The interface is denser and less polished than Western commercial rivals, and documentation can be rough in translation. Capture from the web, email or feeds isn’t a focus.
Which should you choose?
Choose Anytype if:
- End-to-end encryption and local storage are your first filter, not a nice-to-have.
- You want Notion-like structure (types, relations, sets) in a personal tool.
- Self-hosting matters to you, now or as an exit option.
Choose SiYuan if:
- You want maximum capability for minimum (or zero) money, as open source.
- Self-hosting on your own infrastructure appeals to you.
- You want Notion-style databases and flashcards in a local-first app.
A third option: Dexi
If what you actually want is one searchable place for notes, bookmarks, newsletters and RSS — with tags, @mentions and [[wiki links]] that organize themselves as you write, semantic search that finds ideas even when the words don’t match, and an MCP server so Claude and other AI assistants can work with your notes directly — take a look at Dexi. It’s free for up to 1,000 notes, with no app to install.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Anytype and SiYuan?
Anytype is a local-first, end-to-end-encrypted object workspace you can even self-host, while SiYuan is a free, open-source, block-based knowledge base with Notion-style databases and local storage. In practice, Anytype is best for privacy-first users who want Notion-style objects and databases without giving their data to anyone; SiYuan is best for self-hosters and open-source enthusiasts who want Notion-grade blocks and databases on their own disk.
Which is cheaper, Anytype or SiYuan?
Anytype: Plus $4/mo; Pro $8/mo; Ultra $16/mo (mostly network storage) (free plan: yes — full features, local storage unlimited). SiYuan: Free; PRO one-time ~$64; optional paid official cloud sync (free plan: yes — full core app, commercial use included). Prices as of mid-2026 — check each product's site for current rates.
Is Anytype or SiYuan better for teams?
Anytype — team collaboration: yes — multiplayer shared spaces. SiYuan — team collaboration: no. If neither fits, Dexi's Team plan ($10/member/month) offers per-note sharing with team-wide search.
Can I switch between Anytype and SiYuan?
Both tools let you get your data out — Anytype exports via markdown, json (protobuf), and SiYuan via markdown, pdf, and more. Markdown is the common ground for most migrations, though block references, properties and other tool-specific structure typically need manual cleanup after import.
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