Overview
Obsidian is a note-taking and personal knowledge management app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files stored on your own device. Notes can link to each other, and backlinks and a graph view show how ideas connect.
Writers, researchers, developers and students use Obsidian to build long-lived knowledge bases. Because files are plain Markdown, notes remain portable and usable in other tools. Optional paid services handle encrypted sync and web publishing.
Key features
- Local Markdown filesNotes are plain Markdown files in a local folder, called a vault, that you control.
- Links and backlinksWiki-style links connect notes, and backlinks show every note referencing the current one.
- Graph view and CanvasGraph view visualizes note connections, and Canvas offers an infinite board for arranging notes.
- Plugins and themesCore plugins and a large community plugin directory extend functionality.
- Sync and PublishOptional paid add-ons provide end-to-end encrypted sync and hosted publishing of notes.
Best for
- Researchers and writers building a long-term personal knowledge base
- Developers who want notes in plain Markdown under their own control
- Privacy-conscious users who prefer local storage over cloud workspaces
Pricing
Freemium. The app is free for personal and commercial use; Sync, Publish and a commercial license are optional paid add-ons.
| Plan | What you get |
|---|---|
| Free | Full app on all platforms, with notes stored locally. |
| Sync | Paid add-on for end-to-end encrypted sync and version history across devices. |
| Publish | Paid add-on for publishing notes as a website. |
| Commercial license | Optional license for organizations that want to support development. |
Prices and plan limits change often. Check the official website for current pricing. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Notes are portable plain Markdown files with no lock-in
- Works offline and is fast even with large vaults
- Highly extensible through community plugins
Cons
- Real-time team collaboration is limited compared with cloud workspaces
- Setting up plugins and structure takes time and can become complex
- Syncing across devices requires the paid add-on or a third-party solution
Obsidian alternatives
Related resources
Notion vs Obsidian for notes and knowledge management
Notion is a cloud workspace built for teams; Obsidian is a local-first Markdown app built for individual thinking. Here is how to decide between them.
4 min read
Try Obsidian
The app is free for personal and commercial use; Sync, Publish and a commercial license are optional paid add-ons.