Obsidian stores your notes as plain Markdown files in a folder you own, which means no lock-in, no subscription to read your own writing, and full-text search that works offline. Links between notes build a graph you can browse. The plugin ecosystem is large and covers most gaps. Personal use is free; syncing and publishing are paid.
Who it is for
A researcher who wants a decade of notes in files they can open without the app.
Key features
- Plain Markdown files in a local folder
- Bidirectional links and graph view
- Full-text search that works offline
- Community plugins and themes
- Sync and Publish sold separately
- No real-time collaboration
Where it falls short
The plugin ecosystem is also the risk, since a heavy setup can become fragile, and there is no real-time collaboration.
Pricing
Free for personal and commercial use; Sync and Publish are optional add-ons billed yearly, and there is no team plan or admin console.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Obsidian.
Still deciding?
Alternatives to Obsidian
Frequently asked
Is Obsidian free?
Partly. Free for personal and commercial use; Sync and Publish are optional add-ons billed yearly, and there is no team plan or admin console.
What is Obsidian best for?
A researcher who wants a decade of notes in files they can open without the app.
What are the best alternatives to Obsidian?
The closest substitutes we list are Craft and Notion. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Obsidian run on?
Obsidian is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.