SiYuan vs Outline
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs
S
SiYuan
Privacy-first local knowledge management with block-level references
4.5
Editorial RatingO
Outline
Open-source wiki and knowledge base for teams
4.4
Editorial RatingQuick Comparison
Rating
4.5
vs4.4
Starting Price
Free
vsFree
Pricing Model
freemium
vsfreemium
Feature
SiYuan
Outline
Block-level references
Bidirectional linking
Spaced repetition
E2E encrypted sync
Math and diagrams
Mobile apps
Real-time collaboration
Markdown editor
Slack integration
Self-hostable (Docker)
API access
SSO/SAML support
SiYuan Pros
- Block-level referencing more granular than any competitor
- Spaced repetition built in for active learning
- End-to-end encrypted sync option for cross-device use
- Rich content support including math diagrams and code
- Desktop and mobile apps for all platforms
- Completely free for local use
SiYuan Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simpler note apps
- Block reference syntax takes time to master
- Cloud sync requires paid subscription
- Smaller community than Obsidian or Notion
- Interface can feel overwhelming for simple notes
- English documentation sometimes lags Chinese original
Outline Pros
- Beautiful fast editor
- Easy self-hosting with Docker
- Great Slack integration
- Open source and transparent
- Nested document structure
- Active development community
Outline Cons
- Fewer templates than Notion
- No databases or spreadsheets
- Requires SSO provider for self-hosted
- Limited offline support
- Smaller plugin ecosystem
- No mobile app