rocketnotes vs siyuan
AI-assisted note-taking and knowledge workspaces compared
rocketnotes organizes Markdown notes in a document tree and adds AI tools for searching, discussing, writing, and filing content. siyuan centers on linked content blocks, with references, databases, flashcards, and document editing; both offer local or self-hosted options, but their features and deployment limits differ.
rocketnotes: AI Markdown Notes with LangChain and LangGraph
Rocketnotes is a Markdown notes app for the web and Electron, built with LangChain and LangGraph for document chat, writing assistance, and AI filing. Use the hosted service or run it locally with Docker and Ollama.
siyuan: Build a Self-Hosted Knowledge Workspace
SiYuan is a privacy-first workspace for organizing notes as linked, addressable content blocks. It combines a visual Markdown editor, knowledge-management tools, and optional AI features, with desktop, mobile, and self-hosted deployment options.
| rocketnotes | siyuan | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Stars | 1.5k | 46.6k |
| Forks | 80 | 3k |
| Last analyzed | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
Key differences
- rocketnotes uses a nested document tree and offers keyword and semantic search; siyuan uses linked blocks with references, backlinks, attributes, and SQL queries.
- rocketnotes offers AI document chat, writing completion, and inbox filing, with Ollama available in its local Docker setup; siyuan offers AI writing and question-answer chat through the OpenAI API.
- rocketnotes supports hosted web, Electron, and Docker use; siyuan includes desktop and mobile apps, a CLI, and Docker hosting, though its Docker option is browser-only and cannot connect to the apps.
- siyuan includes flashcards, templates, and export to Markdown, PDF, Word, and HTML; rocketnotes highlights Markdown tools such as code highlighting, KaTeX, and Mermaid diagrams.
- rocketnotes uses the Apache-2.0 license, while siyuan uses AGPL-3.0; review siyuan's license when modifying and distributing it or offering it as a network service.
- siyuan has 46.6k stars and 3k forks, compared with rocketnotes at 1.5k stars and 80 forks.
Choose rocketnotes if you…
- want AI tools for searching, discussing, completing, and filing Markdown notes.
- need a nested document tree, semantic search, or a Zettelkasten-style inbox.
- prefer hosted web or Electron access, or want to evaluate local AI processing with Docker and Ollama.
Choose siyuan if you…
- want linked blocks with references, backlinks, and embedded SQL queries.
- need flashcards, long-document editing, or export options for formats such as PDF and Word.
- want desktop or mobile apps, a CLI, or a self-hosted workspace, and can work within the Docker and membership limits.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.