claude-obsidian
Focus: obsidian, claude code and pkm. Shares second brain and open source with SiYuan. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Rated 4.8 (SiYuan: 4.7).
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
Desktop App
SiYuan
A privacy-first knowledge workspace with block links, databases and flashcards.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan is a free, open-source, local-first note-taking and knowledge management app. It combines a block-based Markdown editor with two-way links, PDF annotation, table databases and spaced repetition flashcards, and runs on desktop, mobile or Docker, so your notes stay on your own devices.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros
- Block-level links and references
- Built-in flashcards and databases
- Works offline on every platform
Cons
- Some features, such as official cloud sync, need a paid membership
- Many options to learn at first
Who should use SiYuan
Students, researchers and writers who want a private second brain with linked notes.
Who may not need it
People who only need a simple list of short notes.
SiYuan alternatives
Similar resources to SiYuan, picked from the directory.
Logseq
Focus: PKM, Note-Taking and Graph Database. Shares Open Source with SiYuan. Adds Web. Rated 4.6 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
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Trilium Notes
Focus: notes, knowledge base and self-hosted. Shares open source with SiYuan. Adds Web and Offline. Rated 4.6 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
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AppFlowy
Focus: notion alternative, self-hosted and databases. Shares open source with SiYuan. Freemium (SiYuan: Free). Adds Web. Rated 4.4 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFree planmacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
hypernovum
Focus: obsidian, 3d and visualization. Shares second brain with SiYuan. Rated 4.3 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.3Visit
Notion
Focus: wiki, docs and databases. Shares second brain with SiYuan. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (SiYuan: Free). Adds Web. Same 4.7 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
Free alternatives to SiYuan
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Open Knowledge
Focus: markdown editor, ai notes and wiki. Shares open source and github with SiYuan. Rated 4.4 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeCross-Platform
4.4Visit
Memos
Focus: quick notes, markdown and self-hosted. Shares open source and github with SiYuan. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Same 4.7 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
Obsidian Second Brain
Focus: obsidian, memory and claude code. Shares second brain and open source with SiYuan. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Same 4.7 rating.
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Reor
Focus: AI, PKM and Notes. Also in Knowledge Management and Note-Taking, like SiYuan. Rated 4.5 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Joplin
Focus: notes, markdown and encryption. Shares open source with SiYuan. Rated 4.5 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
massCode
Focus: code snippets, developer notes and http client. Shares open source and github with SiYuan. Rated 4.6 (SiYuan: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
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