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Seafile vs SiYuan

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

Seafile vs SiYuan: at a glance

FeatureSeafileSiYuan
SectorCollabCollab
Velocity score2.55.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesfile-sync, self-hosted, data-integrity, maintenancenote-taking, knowledge base, mind maps, databases
Last editorial update1mo ago13h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Seafile?

Seafile's server repo ships small hardening fixes across three branches at once.

The seafile-server repo tags fixes on the 14.0 and 13.0 lines and on SeaTable builds. The same commit is often tagged on several versions at once. Recent work is defensive: validating file-system object sizes, testing garbage collection under concurrent uploads, and checking errors on file copy. The one configuration change is support for a SEAFILE_DATA_DIR environment variable.

Read the full Seafile 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 →

Seafile vs SiYuan: editorial side-by-side

S
Seafile
COLLAB
2.5

Seafile's server repo ships small hardening fixes across three branches at once.

◆ Current state

The seafile-server repo tags fixes on the 14.0 and 13.0 lines and on SeaTable builds. The same commit is often tagged on several versions at once. Recent work is defensive: validating file-system object sizes, testing garbage collection under concurrent uploads, and checking errors on file copy. The one configuration change is support for a SEAFILE_DATA_DIR environment variable.

◆ Where it's heading

The server core is in steady maintenance, with fixes backported across 13.0, 14.0 and SeaTable. The focus is data-integrity robustness rather than new capability.

◆ Prediction

Expect more 14.0.x patch tags with integrity and GC fixes; nothing in the entries points to new features.

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 Seafile 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 Seafile or SiYuan.

See all Seafile alternatives → · See all SiYuan alternatives →

Recent activity from Seafile 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. 1mo agoSeafilev14.0.9: Validate file-system object size
  8. 2mo agoSeafilev14.0.8: GC tests under concurrent upload
  9. 5mo agoSeafilev13.0.25: Check errors on file copy
  10. 5mo agoSeafileSeaTable 6.2.0: Check errors on file copy
  11. 5mo agoSeafilev13.0.28: Check errors on file copy
  12. 8mo agoSeafilev13.0.22: Read data directory from SEAFILE_DATA_DIR

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Seafile and SiYuan?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), 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 Seafile better than SiYuan?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), 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 Seafile?

Top Seafile alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Seafile alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/seafile 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.