Joplin vs SiYuan
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Joplin
Open-source note-taking and to-do app with sync
VS
SiYuan
Privacy-first personal knowledge management system
| Feature | Joplin | SiYuan |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 46,488 |
| First released | 2017 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Notion, Evernote |
What are Joplin and SiYuan?
Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with Markdown editing, web clipper, and end-to-end encrypted sync. It targets individuals who want private, portable notes across devices. It can sync via a self-hosted Joplin Server, Nextcloud, or WebDAV.
- Markdown notes and to-dos
- End-to-end encrypted sync
- Web clipper extension
- Apps on every platform
SiYuan
SiYuan is an open-source, privacy-first personal knowledge management system that supports block-level references and bidirectional links. It can run locally or be self-hosted for access across devices.
- Block-level referencing
- Bidirectional links
- Self-hosted or local mode
- End-to-end encrypted sync
Joplin vs SiYuan: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Joplin is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for SiYuan. Joplin is the more established project (first released 2017), while SiYuan arrived in 2020.
Why pick each one
Choose Joplin if…
- Strong privacy with E2EE
- Flexible sync options
- Active development
Watch out for
- Sync server setup optional but extra
- Editor less polished than rivals
Choose SiYuan if…
- Powerful block-based model
- Works offline and self-hosted
Watch out for
- Documentation strongest in Chinese
- Some advanced features are paid
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or SiYuan better?
Joplin is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider SiYuan if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Joplin and SiYuan free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and SiYuan under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and SiYuan with Docker?
Joplin: yes. SiYuan: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or SiYuan?
Joplin has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for SiYuan. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.