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Obsidian

Note-taking app that stores notes as local files, with links between notes and a graph view.

Try Obsidian (opens the Obsidian website in a new tab)

Our verdict

Obsidian is for people who want private, long-lived notes in files they own. Skip it if you mainly need shared team docs and databases with live collaboration.

What it does well

  • Free for all purposes, including commercial use
  • Notes are private, stored on your device and work offline
  • Open file formats, with thousands of community plugins and themes

Where it falls short

  • Sync across devices is a paid add-on ($4 per user/month billed annually)
  • Not open source; the app's code is under reserved rights
  • No built-in web app for sharing and live team editing

Obsidian's tagline is 'Sharpen your thinking.' It keeps notes on your device in open file formats, links notes together, and offers a graph view and a Canvas for diagrams. Community plugins and themes extend it.

The app is 'Free without limits', and the pricing page says you are not required to pay for a commercial licence. Paid options are optional: Sync is $4 per user per month billed annually ($5 billed monthly), Publish is $8 per site per month billed annually ($10 billed monthly), Catalyst is a $25 one-time payment, and a Commercial licence is $50 per user per year.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, plus Web Clipper extensions for several browsers.

Obsidian compared

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Last updated 16 October 2026. Facts checked against the official site on 16 October 2026. How we make money