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Content Creation · head to head

Logseq vs Userscripts

Logseq logo

Logseq

Content Creation

Free open-source note-taking with linked thoughts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Userscripts logo

Userscripts

Browser Extensions

Open-source userscript manager for Safari on Mac and iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Logseq aGPL-3.0 licensing requires derivative works to be open-source; Userscripts safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.
  • They diverge on capability: Logseq covers Markdown-based notes, Userscripts covers Built-in script editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 17 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Logseq and Userscripts actually diverge.

Attributes where Logseq and Userscripts differ
AttributeLogseqUserscripts
PlatformsmacOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, WebSafari, macOS, iOS
CategoryContent CreationBrowser Extensions
Founded2020Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Logseq

  • Markdown-based notes
  • Bidirectional linking
  • Graph visualization
  • Backlinks
  • Tags
  • Daily notes
  • Journaling
  • Search and filtering

Only in Userscripts

  • Built-in script editor
  • Standard metadata support
  • GM API
  • Remote script updating
  • iCloud sync
  • Per-page popup

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Logseq

  • Privacy-first knowledge management with local data storagenot Userscripts
  • Open-source alternative to proprietary note-taking platformsnot Userscripts
  • Markdown and Org-mode file support with PDF annotationnot Userscripts
  • Extensible through plugin ecosystem for custom workflowsnot Userscripts

Userscripts

  • Running userscripts on Safari without paying for Tampermonkeynot Logseq
  • Running userscripts on an iPhone or iPadnot Logseq
  • Writing scripts on a Mac and syncing them to iOSnot Logseq
  • Blocking or restyling site elements Safari content blockers cannot reachnot Logseq
  • Keeping a script library under an open-source licencenot Logseq

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Logseq

  • AGPL-3.0 licensing requires derivative works to be open-source
  • Mobile apps (iOS and Android) still in alpha/beta development stage
  • Self-hosted with local-first architecture, no built-in cloud sync option
  • No native synchronisation between desktop and mobile versions without setup

Userscripts

  • Safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.
  • Apple only. There is no Chrome, Firefox or Edge build, so it cannot be a cross-browser answer.
  • iCloud sync is documented as having delays, which is awkward when editing the same script on two devices.
  • Requires macOS 12 and Safari 14.1, or iOS 15.1, so older Apple hardware is excluded.
  • GPL v3 means a commercial licence is required for non-open-source use, which matters if you are embedding rather than just using it.

Pricing, plan by plan

Logseq

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Logseq review.

Userscripts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full functionality
    • GPL v3 licensed
    • macOS, iOS and iPadOS

Which should you pick?

Choose Logseq if

  • You need markdown-based notes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want bidirectional linking.
Logseq review

Choose Userscripts if

  • You need built-in script editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Safari, macOS, iOS.
  • You also want standard metadata support.
Userscripts review

Questions people ask

Is Logseq or Userscripts better?
Neither clearly leads. Logseq starts at Free and Userscripts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Logseq or Userscripts?
Logseq starts at Free and Userscripts at Free.
Does Logseq or Userscripts run on more platforms?
Logseq runs on macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, Web. Userscripts runs on Safari, macOS, iOS.
Can I use Logseq for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Logseq best used for?
Logseq is most often used for privacy-first knowledge management with local data storage, open-source alternative to proprietary note-taking platforms, markdown and org-mode file support with pdf annotation, extensible through plugin ecosystem for custom workflows. Of those, privacy-first knowledge management with local data storage and open-source alternative to proprietary note-taking platforms are not what Userscripts is typically brought in for.
What can Logseq do that Userscripts cannot?
Logseq covers Markdown-based notes, Bidirectional linking, Graph visualization, Backlinks. Userscripts covers Built-in script editor, Standard metadata support, GM API, Remote script updating.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Logseq: How much does Logseq cost?

Logseq is a free, open-source privacy-first knowledge base with no paid tiers or hidden costs. The software is available to download and use at no charge.

Source
Userscripts: Is Userscripts for Safari free?

Yes, free on the App Store and licensed under GPL v3. A commercial licence is required for use in something that is not itself open source.

Source
Userscripts: Does it work on iPhone?

Yes, on iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later, which makes it one of the few ways to run userscripts on an iPhone.

Source
Userscripts: Why do I get "Refused to execute a script" errors?

Safari does not let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy the way other browsers do. The documented workaround is changing the script's @inject-into setting, though it does not resolve every case.

Source
Userscripts: Do my scripts sync between Mac and iPhone?

Yes, over iCloud, though the project notes the sync can be delayed rather than immediate.

Source
Userscripts: What are the system requirements?

macOS 12 or later with Safari 14.1 or later, or iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later.

Source
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