Logseq 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.
Logseq
Privacy-first outliner for networked thought
VS
SiYuan
Privacy-first personal knowledge management system
| Feature | Logseq | SiYuan |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | 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 | Clojure | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 45,040 | ★ 46,488 |
| First released | 2020 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Notion, Roam Research | Notion, Evernote |
What are Logseq and SiYuan?
Logseq
Logseq is a privacy-first, local-first outliner for knowledge management and networked note-taking using plain Markdown files. It targets users who want a graph-based personal knowledge tool. It runs as a desktop app with optional file syncing.
- Outliner with bidirectional links
- Plain Markdown file storage
- Graph view of notes
- Plugin marketplace
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
Logseq vs SiYuan: key differences
Logseq is written in Clojure, while SiYuan is built with TypeScript. Logseq is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for SiYuan. SiYuan lists first-class Docker deployment; Logseq does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Logseq if…
- Local-first and private
- Great for linked thinking
- Files stay portable
Watch out for
- Not a hosted server
- Performance dips on huge graphs
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 Logseq or SiYuan better?
Neither is universally better. SiYuan has the larger community, while Logseq is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Logseq and SiYuan free and open-source?
Yes. Logseq is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and SiYuan under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Logseq and SiYuan with Docker?
Logseq: check the project docs for container support. SiYuan: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Logseq or SiYuan?
Logseq 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.