GitHub
GitHub makes open source license compliance a ruleset-enforced GA for Enterprise Cloud.
Comparison · Collab
Capacities vs SiYuan
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Capacities and SiYuan — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Capacities vs SiYuan: at a glance
What is Capacities?
Capacities ships API 2.0, pivoting from self-contained PKM toward a connected AI memory layer
Capacities is a structured personal knowledge management tool shipping at monthly cadence. In the past 4 months it has added AI Chat Connectors (connecting the space to ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor), a developer-facing API 2.0, weblink reader and analysis, PDF annotations, AI image generation, and configurable AI model providers. The combination describes a product moving from self-contained PKM to a node in a broader AI-augmented knowledge graph.
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan's 3.8.8 alphas keep layering database automation and editor polish on Gemini support.
SiYuan cycled 3.8.7 through four beta respins, then opened 3.8.8 with a long alpha.1: Gemini Interactions API support, automation that collects blocks into databases, tab-to-mind-map conversion, compact desktop mode and many editor refinements. Alpha.2 upgraded Electron and fixed Linux OCR and proxy detection, and alpha.3 added template-based field assignments in database automations and configurable embedding batching. Alpha.4 adds block indicator hierarchy, closer mobile table parity and multiple mind-map connector styles.
Capacities vs SiYuan: editorial side-by-side
Capacities
5.0COLLAB
Capacities ships API 2.0, pivoting from self-contained PKM toward a connected AI memory layer
◆ Current state
Capacities is a structured personal knowledge management tool shipping at monthly cadence. In the past 4 months it has added AI Chat Connectors (connecting the space to ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor), a developer-facing API 2.0, weblink reader and analysis, PDF annotations, AI image generation, and configurable AI model providers. The combination describes a product moving from self-contained PKM to a node in a broader AI-augmented knowledge graph.
◆ Where it's heading
The consistent direction is making Capacities connectable — first via AI chat integrations, then a proper developer API, and now deeper object types and AI media generation. The new Pro+/Believer+ pricing add-ons indicate AI usage is growing enough to require metered capacity. The platform is accumulating capability surface faster than a traditional note-taking tool and faster than comparable PKM competitors.
◆ Prediction
The most likely next move is deeper API-to-AI-connector integration, letting third-party agents create and modify Capacities objects programmatically — the existing connector work is the precondition for functioning as an AI memory layer rather than just a note store.
SiYuan
6.3COLLAB
SiYuan's 3.8.8 alphas keep layering database automation and editor polish on Gemini support.
◆ Current state
SiYuan cycled 3.8.7 through four beta respins, then opened 3.8.8 with a long alpha.1: Gemini Interactions API support, automation that collects blocks into databases, tab-to-mind-map conversion, compact desktop mode and many editor refinements. Alpha.2 upgraded Electron and fixed Linux OCR and proxy detection, and alpha.3 added template-based field assignments in database automations and configurable embedding batching. Alpha.4 adds block indicator hierarchy, closer mobile table parity and multiple mind-map connector styles.
◆ Where it's heading
AI is moving from a side panel into the workspace's own controls, and model choice is widening beyond ChatGPT to Gemini. Databases keep gaining structure and automation, while editor polish arrives in large cumulative batches. Four alphas in three days with mostly cumulative notes suggest 3.8.8 is being stabilised in public.
◆ Prediction
Expect further 3.8.8 alphas with small editor and mobile additions, then a beta; the entries don't show whether 3.8.7 gets a stable tag first.
Alternatives to Capacities 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 Capacities or SiYuan.
Hive
Hive makes its AI proofer a named approver and lets workflow buttons open prefilled Forms.
Teable
Teable ships an official MCP server, letting coding agents work its tables via OAuth.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3 beta.672 adds inline math and personal access tokens, and raises the floor to Postgres 17.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3.0 beta adds math, personal access tokens and nav automations; Postgres 17 now required.
Skedda
Skedda Companion can now be pushed to every laptop through MDM for full presence data.
See all Capacities alternatives → · See all SiYuan alternatives →
Recent activity from Capacities and SiYuan
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 4h agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.8 alpha.4 adds mind-map connectors, mobile table parity
- 1d agoSiYuan3.8.8 alpha.3 adds automation field templates and embedding tuning
- 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.8 alpha.2 moves to Electron 44.8, fixes Linux OCR
- 2d agoSiYuan3.8.8 alpha.1 adds Gemini support and database automation
- 4d agoSiYuanv3.8.7-beta.4
- 5d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.7 beta 3 respins beta 2 with identical notes
- 1mo agoCapacitiesRecent continuous improvements
- 1mo agoCapacitiesPDF reader view and annotations for Believers, Version History, more calendars, and AI image generation
- 2mo agoCapacitiesCapacities Pro+ and Believer+
- 2mo agoCapacitiesRecent continuous improvements — polish and reliability
- 3mo agoCapacitiesCapacities API 2.0, Weblink Analysis, and Presentation Mode ⚡
- 3mo agoCapacitiesAI Chat Connectors 2.0 + Many improvements
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Capacities and SiYuan?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. SiYuan 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 Capacities better than SiYuan?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SiYuan 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 Capacities?
Top Capacities alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Capacities alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/capacities 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.