Alternatives
10 best SiYuan alternatives
Tools that cover the same task as SiYuan (notes), ranked by how completely their pricing, free tier and API access are documented. Checked Oct 4, 2026.
- SiYuan starts at
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Free plan
- API
- API unknown
- 01
Orkas
Orkas lets solo founders and small teams direct a roster of AI agents by chat to produce research, documents, slides, images, videos, websites, and operational workflows. The desktop app ships free and open source for Mac and Windows, with optional membership credits for managed frontier models, collaboration, and cloud sync.
Best for: Solo founders and small teams who want to orchestrate multiple specialist AI agents from one chat workspace.
- 02
AI Box
AI Box is a multi-model AI workspace for chat, image, audio, and video generation across 100+ models with token allowances, cloud storage, and workflow builders. It also exposes an MCP server so external agents such as Claude or ChatGPT can run Box workflows.
Best for: Teams that want one subscription to compare models, run workflows, and connect chat agents via MCP instead of juggling many vendor accounts.
- 03
EspoCRM
EspoCRM is an open-source customer relationship platform for managing contacts, sales pipelines, support cases, and marketing activity in one place. The vendor offers a self-hosted edition you can customize with workflows, automation, and extensions, plus a managed EspoCRM Cloud service with US or EU hosting.
Best for: Small and mid-sized teams that want a customizable CRM they can host themselves or run on EspoCRM’s managed cloud.
- 04
FileShot.io
FileShot.io is a privacy-first file host with zero-knowledge encryption, large transfers, password protection, and built-in file tools. Paid tiers raise storage limits, file sizes, and collaboration features while keeping encryption on every plan.
Best for: Users sharing sensitive files who want encrypted hosting instead of ad-supported transfer sites.
- 05
Icedrive
New users can start with 10 GB free before upgrading to higher-capacity Pro plans for larger libraries.
Best for: Individuals and professionals who want encrypted cloud storage with straightforward monthly Pro upgrades.
- 06
Claude
Anthropic’s assistant for chat, document and code work, research, and agent-style tasks across web and desktop. Free and paid consumer plans differ mainly in usage ceilings, model access, and collaboration features.
Best for: Knowledge workers who want long-context chat, file and code tools, and optional Claude Code or team workspaces on paid plans.
- 07
Capacities
Capacities is a note-taking and knowledge studio combining objects, blocks, queries, calendar integrations, and AI workflows in a synced workspace. Capacities Basic remains free while Pro and Believer add AI budgets, calendar features, and early access on Believer.
Best for: Individual knowledge workers who want networked notes, tasks, and AI-assisted research in one app.
- 08
Bitwarden
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager for individuals, families, and businesses with encrypted vaults, sharing, SSO, and optional self-hosting. Personal and business pricing publish named Free, Premium, Families, Teams, and Enterprise plans with per-user monthly USD rates on the public pricing pages.
Best for: Individuals, families, and organizations that need audited open-source credential storage with optional business policies and self-hosting.
- 09
HammerAI
HammerAI is a private AI chat, roleplay, image, and story platform that runs models locally in the browser or desktop app while also offering optional cloud credits. The site emphasizes no sign-in required for local use, character roleplay, group chats, and optional paid cloud features.
Best for: Roleplay and creative writers who want private local chat plus optional cloud image, TTS, and higher-quality models.
- 10
ClearFlask
ClearFlask is an open-source customer feedback platform for collecting ideas, prioritizing roadmaps, and publishing announcements. Teams can run the Apache-licensed stack self-hosted or use ClearFlask Cloud, with AI-assisted feedback analysis on the marketing site.
Best for: Product teams that want a feedback portal, public roadmap, and changelog without building tooling from scratch.
SiYuan alternatives: common questions
What is the best free alternative to SiYuan?
Orkas has an ongoing free plan. Pricing page offers free access with 500 credits on desktop app login plus core features before subscribing. Free plans change, so check the vendor before relying on one.
What is the cheapest SiYuan alternative?
Bitwarden has the lowest listed starting price at $1.65/mo.
Which SiYuan alternatives have an API?
Orkas, AI Box, EspoCRM, FileShot.io, Claude mention API or developer access.