Trilium Notes vs SiYuan
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs
T
Trilium Notes
Powerful self-hosted hierarchical knowledge base
4.5
Editorial RatingS
SiYuan
Privacy-first local knowledge management with block-level references
4.5
Editorial RatingQuick Comparison
Rating
4.5
vs4.5
Starting Price
Free
vsFree
Pricing Model
free
vsfreemium
Feature
Trilium Notes
SiYuan
Hierarchical notes
Rich text editor
Note relations and maps
Full-text search
Web clipper
Encrypted notes
Block-level references
Bidirectional linking
Spaced repetition
E2E encrypted sync
Math and diagrams
Mobile apps
Trilium Notes Pros
- Powerful hierarchical organization
- Relation maps for knowledge graphing
- Desktop and server modes
- Code block syntax highlighting
- Excellent search
- Web clipper for research
Trilium Notes Cons
- UI looks dated compared to modern note apps
- Mobile experience via browser is limited
- Single developer project
- Learning curve for power features
- No native mobile app
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