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Comparison · Collab

File Browser vs SiYuan

A side-by-side editorial comparison of File Browser and SiYuan — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

File Browser vs SiYuan: at a glance

FeatureFile BrowserSiYuan
SectorCollabCollab
Velocity score6.35.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesend-of-life, self-hosted, file-manager, security-hardeningnote-taking, knowledge base, mind maps, databases
Last editorial update3mo ago13h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is File Browser?

File Browser is shutting down — the repo archives on 2026-09-01 and no security fixes follow.

The project spent July shipping a rapid series of hardening releases — path canonicalization before access checks, atomic user provisioning, TUS upload length enforcement, download-permission gates, case-folded home directory collisions, several GHSA-tracked share and auth advisories — and then announced it was winding down. 2.63.23 is the last planned release; the repository archives on 2026-09-01.

Read the full File Browser trajectory →

What is SiYuan?

SiYuan 3.8.11 alphas add freeform mind maps and plugin snapshots right after 3.8.10.

SiYuan pushed 3.8.10 through betas and release candidates between November 7 and 9, carrying workspace AI memory, database sub-items and a built-in Markdown editor. The 3.8.11 alphas followed within days: freeform mind map relationships with per-node connector styles, browsing and restoring plugin snapshots, excluding assets from cleanup, a built-in date picker and rich text in database primary keys. Alpha 4 adds search and replace in the standalone Markdown editor.

Read the full SiYuan trajectory →

File Browser vs SiYuan: editorial side-by-side

F6.3

File Browser is shutting down — the repo archives on 2026-09-01 and no security fixes follow.

◆ Current state

The project spent July shipping a rapid series of hardening releases — path canonicalization before access checks, atomic user provisioning, TUS upload length enforcement, download-permission gates, case-folded home directory collisions, several GHSA-tracked share and auth advisories — and then announced it was winding down. 2.63.23 is the last planned release; the repository archives on 2026-09-01.

◆ Where it's heading

The shape of the final weeks tells the story: almost every commit was a scope-escape or permission-bypass fix, which is a heavy load for a Go binary that many people expose directly to the internet. Rather than keep absorbing that, the maintainers are stopping. Existing releases and Docker images stay online, but from September there is no one fixing the next advisory.

◆ Prediction

Existing deployments keep working and keep accumulating unpatched vulnerabilities; expect the community to consolidate around a fork or one of the existing alternatives before the archive date.

S
SiYuan
COLLAB
5.0

SiYuan 3.8.11 alphas add freeform mind maps and plugin snapshots right after 3.8.10.

◆ Current state

SiYuan pushed 3.8.10 through betas and release candidates between November 7 and 9, carrying workspace AI memory, database sub-items and a built-in Markdown editor. The 3.8.11 alphas followed within days: freeform mind map relationships with per-node connector styles, browsing and restoring plugin snapshots, excluding assets from cleanup, a built-in date picker and rich text in database primary keys. Alpha 4 adds search and replace in the standalone Markdown editor.

◆ Where it's heading

SiYuan works in fast public cycles, with the next version's alphas starting as soon as the last one stabilises. 3.8.11 is about polish and editing depth: mind maps, databases and the new Markdown editor all get more control.

◆ Prediction

Expect more 3.8.11 alphas, then betas and release candidates with the same list, following the 3.8.10 pattern.

Alternatives to File Browser and SiYuan

Other Collab products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either File Browser or SiYuan.

See all File Browser alternatives → · See all SiYuan alternatives →

Recent activity from File Browser and SiYuan

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 18h agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.11 alpha 4 adds search and replace to Markdown editor
  2. 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.11 alpha: freeform mind maps, plugin snapshots
  3. 4d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.10 RC5: related database views, better LAN sync
  4. 4d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.10 RC3: AI memory, database sub-items near stable
  5. 5d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.10 release candidate 2
  6. 5d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.10 release candidate 1
  7. 3mo agoFile BrowserFinal release: project winds down, repo archives 2026-09-01 ⚡
  8. 3mo agoFile BrowserWind-down notice lands with recursive-rule and proxy-token fixes
  9. 3mo agoFile BrowserPaths canonicalized before access rules are checked
  10. 3mo agoFile BrowserProvisioned scope check made atomic with the save
  11. 3mo agoFile BrowserTUS upload limits, checksum permission gate, scope isolation
  12. 4mo agoFile BrowserCopy/move conflict checks and EPUB preview fix

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between File Browser and SiYuan?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. File Browser is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is File Browser better than SiYuan?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. File Browser is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Collab products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to File Browser?

Top File Browser alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "File Browser alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/filebrowser for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to SiYuan?

Top SiYuan alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "SiYuan alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/siyuan for the full list with editorial commentary on each.