Siyuan
Privacy-First Personal Knowledge Management with Block-Level References
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AGPL-3.0 v3.6.5 May 13, 2026
Since Aug 2020 333
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AI Summary
SiYuan is a self-hosted, fully open-source Personal Knowledge Management system with block-level references and WYSIWYG Markdown editor. The software offers features like bi-directional links, SQL queries, PDF annotation, spaced repetition flashcards and a plugin API. Built with TypeScript and Golang, available for desktop, mobile and as a Docker container.
✓ Pros
- + Fully open source (AGPL-3.0) and self-hostable for maximum data control
- + Powerful block-level editor with bidirectional links and SQL queries
- + Available cross-platform (desktop, Android, iOS, HarmonyOS, Docker)
✗ Cons
- − Some premium features only available for paying members
- − More complex setup for self-hosting compared to cloud solutions
Use Cases
- → Personal knowledge management with linked notes and block references
- → Academic work with PDF annotations and literature management
- → Technical documentation with Markdown, code snippets and diagrams
- → Long-term learning with spaced repetition flashcard system
Who is it for?
Ideal for developers, researchers and knowledge workers looking for a privacy-first alternative to Notion or Obsidian with self-hosting option.
