Logseq vs SiYuan
Logseq is a free, open-source, local-first outliner with flashcards and a privacy-first ethos; 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 Logseq?
Logseq is the open-source counterpart to Roam: an outliner built on bidirectional links and daily notes, but storing everything as local Markdown (or Org-mode) files on your device. It’s free, AGPL-licensed, and adds flashcards with spaced repetition, PDF annotation, queries, whiteboards and a plugin ecosystem. Sync is available end-to-end encrypted, or you can roll your own with Git or Syncthing.
The project is mid-transition: alongside the classic Markdown version, a rebuilt “DB version” backed by a local database entered public beta in July 2026, bringing real properties and Tana-style structured tags plus more reliable sync. That rewrite consumed several years of development attention, so the classic version evolved slowly — but the foundation of free, local, open-source outlining has kept a devoted community.
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.
Logseq vs SiYuan at a glance
| Logseq | SiYuan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (open source); optional paid sync | Free; PRO one-time ~$64; optional paid official cloud sync |
| Free plan | Yes — everything | Yes — full core app, commercial use included |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Docker (self-host) |
| Storage model | Local-first — Markdown/Org files (DB version: local database) | Local-first; encrypted sync via official cloud or your own S3/WebDAV |
| Editing model | Outliner — blocks, references, daily notes | Block-based WYSIWYG Markdown with database views |
| Backlinks & wiki links | Yes — bidirectional, block-level | Yes — block-level bidirectional links |
| Graph view | Yes — graph view | Yes — graph view |
| Search | Full-text and queries | Full-text, including SQL-style queries |
| Web capture | Community clippers; mobile quick capture | Browser clipping extension |
| Email-in capture | No | No |
| RSS / feeds | No | No |
| Team collaboration | No | No |
| Publishing & sharing | Static-site export via community tools | Export or self-hosted sharing |
| AI assistant access | Community plugins and MCP servers | Configurable OpenAI-compatible integration |
| Offline access | Yes — fully offline | Yes — fully offline |
| Open source | Yes — AGPL-3.0 | Yes — AGPL-3.0 |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes — Logseq Sync is end-to-end encrypted | Yes — encrypted sync |
| Data export | Markdown/Org files; OPML, JSON | Markdown, PDF, and more |
Pricing and features as of mid-2026 — check each product’s site for current details.
Where Logseq shines
- Free and open source (AGPL) with local-first storage — the strongest ownership story among outliners.
- Built-in spaced-repetition flashcards and PDF annotation, no plugins needed.
- Block references, queries and whiteboards cover most of Roam’s power features.
- The new DB version adds structured properties and tags with trustworthy sync.
Worth knowing: No real-time collaboration — it’s a single-player tool. The MD-to-DB transition splits the product; some features (like whiteboards) are temporarily missing from the DB beta. Polish and mobile experience trail the paid competition, and web capture relies on community tooling.
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 Logseq if:
- You want Roam-style outlining without the subscription, as open-source software.
- Local files and end-to-end-encrypted sync are non-negotiable.
- You want flashcards built into the same tool as your notes.
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 Logseq and SiYuan?
Logseq is a free, open-source, local-first outliner with flashcards and a privacy-first ethos, while SiYuan is a free, open-source, block-based knowledge base with Notion-style databases and local storage. In practice, Logseq is best for privacy-conscious outliner fans who want Roam’s ideas as free, open-source local files; SiYuan is best for self-hosters and open-source enthusiasts who want Notion-grade blocks and databases on their own disk.
Which is cheaper, Logseq or SiYuan?
Logseq: Free (open source); optional paid sync (free plan: yes — everything). 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 Logseq or SiYuan better for teams?
Logseq — team collaboration: no. 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 Logseq and SiYuan?
Both tools let you get your data out — Logseq exports via markdown/org files; opml, json, 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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