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Comparison · Collab
SiYuan vs Softr
A side-by-side editorial comparison of SiYuan and Softr — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
SiYuan vs Softr: at a glance
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan 3.8.9 reaches RC, adding AI-agent extraction of images embedded in PDFs.
SiYuan moved 3.8.9 from beta.6 to rc.1 on Oct 28. The RC's only new item is AI-agent extraction of images embedded in PDFs; the rest of its long list matches beta.5's cumulative notes: pinned agent sessions, backlink filtering by database fields, block-reference collection through database automation, resizable table rows, mind-map themes and node copy/paste, TIFF previews and macOS proxy detection.
What is Softr?
Softr adds a one-click path off Airtable, moving data, automations and apps onto Softr Database.
Softr now offers a Migrate from Airtable flow that imports bases and automations into Softr Database and copies an existing app onto it for testing before the switch. The same week brought record grouping in the database and a 90-day credit usage history for workflows. Earlier in October it added in-app notifications, workspace folders, public database sharing, and official connector listings on Claude and ChatGPT.
SiYuan vs Softr: editorial side-by-side
SiYuan
5.0COLLAB
SiYuan 3.8.9 reaches RC, adding AI-agent extraction of images embedded in PDFs.
◆ Current state
SiYuan moved 3.8.9 from beta.6 to rc.1 on Oct 28. The RC's only new item is AI-agent extraction of images embedded in PDFs; the rest of its long list matches beta.5's cumulative notes: pinned agent sessions, backlink filtering by database fields, block-reference collection through database automation, resizable table rows, mind-map themes and node copy/paste, TIFF previews and macOS proxy detection.
◆ Where it's heading
The 3.8.x line keeps turning databases and mind maps into structured tools that act on the block graph, and the built-in agent is gaining reach into document content such as PDFs. The release cadence is fast and noisy, with most builds repeating the same cumulative notes.
◆ Prediction
A stable 3.8.9 is likely within days, with little added beyond fixes now that it has reached RC.
Softr
6.3COLLAB
Softr adds a one-click path off Airtable, moving data, automations and apps onto Softr Database.
◆ Current state
Softr now offers a Migrate from Airtable flow that imports bases and automations into Softr Database and copies an existing app onto it for testing before the switch. The same week brought record grouping in the database and a 90-day credit usage history for workflows. Earlier in October it added in-app notifications, workspace folders, public database sharing, and official connector listings on Claude and ChatGPT.
◆ Where it's heading
Softr is turning from a front end for other people's data into a full stack it owns: its own database, workflows billed in credits, and now a migration path away from the data source many customers started on. The MCP work in September and the Claude and ChatGPT listings keep the AI-access thread running alongside.
◆ Prediction
Expect more Softr Database features that close gaps with Airtable (views, field types, automations), and more credit visibility as workflow billing grows.
Alternatives to SiYuan and Softr
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 Softr.
KACE
KACE extends its PHP2SHELL fix to the SDA deployment appliance, six days after disclosure.
Mattermost
Mattermost v12 puts user-scoped permissions, private models and audit trails on every agent action.
AFFiNE
AFFiNE's canaries stay on upkeep: a Swift Collections bump follows CVE and migration fixes.
Teable
Teable's Structured Query v2 now reports across multi-hop relations, with a strict mode against SQL.
Readwise
Readwise splits its bundle into Reader-only and Highlights-only plans and renames its first app.
See all SiYuan alternatives → · See all Softr alternatives →
Recent activity from SiYuan and Softr
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 RC1: AI agent extracts images from PDFs
- 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 beta 6 (same notes as beta 5)
- 1d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 beta 5: full notes incl. pinned agent sessions
- 2d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 beta 4 improves LaTeX paste and import
- 2d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 beta 3 (same notes as beta 1)
- 2d agoSiYuanSiYuan 3.8.9 beta 2 (same notes as beta 1)
- 9d agoSoftrMigrate from Airtable ⚡
- 9d agoSoftrRecord grouping in Softr Database
- 9d agoSoftrWorkflow credit usage history
- 23d agoSoftrIn-app notifications
- 23d agoSoftrDatabase + View public sharing
- 23d agoSoftrSoftr is now an official connector on Claude & ChatGPT
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SiYuan and Softr?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Softr is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), 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 Softr?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Softr is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), 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 Softr?
Top Softr alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Softr alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/softr for the full list with editorial commentary on each.