AFFiNE
AFFiNE ships stable iOS Share Extension and tightens AI Copilot's MCP visibility controls.
Comparison · Collab
SiYuan vs Zoho Projects
A side-by-side editorial comparison of SiYuan and Zoho Projects — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
SiYuan vs Zoho Projects: at a glance
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan adds OAuth 2.1 to its built-in MCP server, opening the personal knowledge base to authenticated AI clients.
SiYuan is a locally-first personal knowledge management tool with a block-based document model, relational databases, mind maps, and a cloud sync layer. The 3.8.6 alpha cycle is deep in a feature-dense sprint: the top 8 entries are daily alpha builds, each layering new capabilities onto a 3.8.5 beta that shipped Anthropic Messages API support, database calendar and list views, and an editable mind map view for list blocks. The MCP server — introduced in an earlier cycle — now requires OAuth 2.1, making it a secure endpoint for external AI clients.
What is Zoho Projects?
Zoho Projects makes time tracking the product's center of gravity, and lets Zia build the schema.
Three of the last six releases touch time logs: a unified grid view, workflow automation with rules and webhooks, and Zia auto-filling weekly hours from assigned tasks. Alongside that, Zia has moved past suggestion into construction — users can now build custom modules by talking to it. The rest of the recent work extends reach rather than depth: a rebuilt Chrome extension, SalesIQ and WhatsApp integrations, and four more Android languages.
SiYuan vs Zoho Projects: editorial side-by-side
SiYuan
7.5COLLAB
SiYuan adds OAuth 2.1 to its built-in MCP server, opening the personal knowledge base to authenticated AI clients.
◆ Current state
SiYuan is a locally-first personal knowledge management tool with a block-based document model, relational databases, mind maps, and a cloud sync layer. The 3.8.6 alpha cycle is deep in a feature-dense sprint: the top 8 entries are daily alpha builds, each layering new capabilities onto a 3.8.5 beta that shipped Anthropic Messages API support, database calendar and list views, and an editable mind map view for list blocks. The MCP server — introduced in an earlier cycle — now requires OAuth 2.1, making it a secure endpoint for external AI clients.
◆ Where it's heading
SiYuan is building toward a position as an AI-augmented local knowledge base, not just a Notion alternative. Adding OAuth 2.1 to the MCP server, supporting the Anthropic Messages API, and accumulating calendar/list database views all point in the same direction: SiYuan as both a capture layer and a structured context source for AI workflows. Mobile improvements (pinch-to-zoom, Share Extension-equivalent inbox items, mobile command palette) suggest growing investment in mobile as a first-class editing surface.
◆ Prediction
A stable 3.8.6 release is imminent given the alpha cadence. The next directional move to watch is whether the MCP server gains broader capability exposure — currently it likely covers read/write access to notes, but richer query or database-level access would meaningfully expand what AI agents can do with a SiYuan workspace.
Zoho Projects
6.3COLLABPM
Zoho Projects makes time tracking the product's center of gravity, and lets Zia build the schema.
◆ Current state
Three of the last six releases touch time logs: a unified grid view, workflow automation with rules and webhooks, and Zia auto-filling weekly hours from assigned tasks. Alongside that, Zia has moved past suggestion into construction — users can now build custom modules by talking to it. The rest of the recent work extends reach rather than depth: a rebuilt Chrome extension, SalesIQ and WhatsApp integrations, and four more Android languages.
◆ Where it's heading
Time tracking is being rebuilt from a data-entry chore into an automated subsystem, with Zia supplying the entries and workflow rules acting on them. The more consequential shift is Zia's role: suggesting timesheet values is assistive, but generating custom modules means the AI is editing the structure of a customer's portal. Integration work points outward to the Zoho suite and to customer-facing channels, turning inbound chats and WhatsApp messages into tracked project records.
◆ Prediction
Expect Zia's module-building to widen into the surrounding configuration — workflow rules, layouts, and reports built the same conversational way. On the time side, the pieces are in place for Zia-suggested logs to be submitted and approved automatically under rules rather than reviewed entry by entry.
Alternatives to SiYuan and Zoho Projects
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 SiYuan or Zoho Projects.
GitHub
GitHub Copilot adds Claude Opus and memory-aware security autofix, deepening its agentic platform play.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3 beta adds Excalidraw live collaboration and SCIM — v3 production release getting close.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3.0 beta is building toward enterprise with real-time collaboration, SCIM, and expanding editor formats.
Happeo
Happeo is doubling down on intranet SEO content as its primary distribution channel for the mid-market.
Teable
Teable ships connected-app event triggers for automations, deepening its no-code workflow orchestration play.
See all SiYuan alternatives → · See all Zoho Projects alternatives →
Recent activity from SiYuan and Zoho Projects
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 16h agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.8
- 17h agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.7: OAuth 2.1 for built-in MCP server ⚡
- 21h agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.6
- 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.5
- 2d agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.4
- 2d agoSiYuanSiYuan v3.8.6-alpha.3
- 1mo agoZoho ProjectsTime Log Grid View
- 2mo agoZoho ProjectsZia Suggestions for Weekly Time Logs
- 2mo agoZoho ProjectsRevamped Chrome Extension
- 2mo agoZoho ProjectsCreate Custom Modules with AI ⚡
- 2mo agoZoho ProjectsNew Languages Supported in the Android App
- 2mo agoZoho ProjectsAutomation for Time Logs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SiYuan and Zoho Projects?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 1 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 SiYuan better than Zoho Projects?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 1 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 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.
What are the best alternatives to Zoho Projects?
Top Zoho Projects alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Zoho Projects alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/zoho-projects for the full list with editorial commentary on each.