SiYuan vs Obsidian: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between SiYuan and Obsidian comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Obsidian wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick SiYuan if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
SiYuan
Privacy-first personal knowledge management system with Markdown, block references, and bi-directional links.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Obsidian requires payment)
- • You want strong emphasis on user privacy
- • You want ability to work completely offline
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Best for you if:
- • You want local-first privacy
- • You want extensible plugins
| At a Glance | SiYuan | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | - | 4.5/5G2 4.5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Sync ($4-5/month) is almost mandatory for multi-device users. While you can use free alternatives (iCloud, Google Drive, Git), they introduce sync conflicts that Obsidian Sync solves with end-to-end encryption and proper conflict resolution. Most serious users end up paying for Sync |
Choose SiYuan or Obsidian?
Choose SiYuan if
Privacy-first personal knowledge management system with Markdown, block references, and bi-directional links.
- You want a fully free tool (Obsidian requires payment)
- You want strong emphasis on user privacy
- You want ability to work completely offline
Choose Obsidian if
Private and flexible note-taking
- You want local-first privacy
- You want extensible plugins
| Feature | SiYuan | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
SiYuan
Privacy-first personal knowledge management system with Markdown, block references, and bi-directional links.
SiYuan's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured 'Free' tier that includes advanced functionalities like AI integration, databases, and bi-directional links.
Strengths
- +Strong emphasis on user privacy
- +Ability to work completely offline
- +Secure data synchronization with end-to-end encryption
- +Flexible knowledge organization with blocks and bi-directional links
- +Free to download and use
Weaknesses
- -No specific cons mentioned in the provided text.
Key features
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Obsidian core app is genuinely free with no feature gating, every note-taking and knowledge management feature works without paying.
Watch out
Sync ($4-5/month) is almost mandatory for multi-device users. While you can use free alternatives (iCloud, Google Drive, Git), they introduce sync conflicts that Obsidian Sync solves with end-to-end encryption and proper conflict resolution. Most serious users end up paying for Sync
Strengths
- +Local-first privacy
- +Extensible plugins
- +Graph view
Weaknesses
- -Sync costs extra
- -Steep learning curve
Key features
Pricing: SiYuan vs Obsidian
| Plan | SiYuan | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $4/user/month Sync |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $8/site/month Publish |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $50/user/year Commercial |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on SiYuan pricing and Obsidian pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SiYuan is free. Obsidian is freemium.
Go with: SiYuan
Want the highest-rated option?
Obsidian is rated 4.5/5. SiYuan has no ratings yet.
Go with: Obsidian
Value user reviews?
SiYuan: no ratings yet. Obsidian: 12 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Obsidian
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
SiYuan is free. Obsidian is freemium. Go with SiYuan if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Obsidian is rated 4.5/5; SiYuan has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Obsidian
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SiYuan
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Obsidian wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. That said, SiYuan is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SiYuan or Obsidian better?
Obsidian is rated in our evaluation. SiYuan is free and Obsidian is freemium.
What are SiYuan and Obsidian used for?
SiYuan: Privacy-first personal knowledge management system with Markdown, block references, and bi-directional links.. Obsidian: Private and flexible note-taking.
What does SiYuan cost vs Obsidian?
SiYuan is completely free. Obsidian is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.