Obsidian
Obsidian is a free, privacy-focused note-taking and knowledge management application that stores notes locally on your device using open Markdown file formats.
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Obsidian Overview
Key Features & Capabilities
Create connections between notes using wiki-style links, turning your knowledge base into a personal Wikipedia. The interactive graph view visualizes relationships between notes, helping you discover hidden patterns in your thinking.
Sync notes across all devices with AES-256 end-to-end encryption. Includes version history, selective sync for different file types, fine-grained configuration control per device, and real-time collaboration on shared vaults.
Instantly publish your notes as a website, wiki, knowledge base, or digital garden. Sites are customizable with themes and custom domains, mobile-friendly, and optimized for SEO with no technical knowledge required.
Customize Obsidian with thousands of community plugins and themes using an open API. Popular plugins include Calendar, Kanban boards, Dataview for advanced queries, Tasks tracking, and the new Bases plugin for database-like views.
All notes are stored locally on your device in open Markdown formats, ensuring you're never locked in. Obsidian collects no telemetry data, never sells user data, and works fully offline — your data is inaccessible even to Obsidian's team.
Pricing Plans
Personal (Free)
- Full note-taking and knowledge management app
- No sign-up required
- Unlimited notes and vaults
- Bidirectional linking and graph view
- Canvas for visual brainstorming
- Bases for database-like views
- Thousands of community plugins and themes
- Works offline on all platforms
- Local storage with open Markdown formats
- Web Clipper included
Sync Standard
- 1 synced vault
- 1 GB total storage
- 5 MB maximum file size
- 1 month version history
- Sync notes across devices
- End-to-end encryption
- Priority support
Sync Plus
- 10 synced vaults
- 10 GB total storage
- 200 MB maximum file size
- 12 months version history
- Collaborate on shared vaults
- End-to-end encryption
- Priority support
Publish
- Publish notes to the web
- No technical knowledge required
- Customizable theme
- Custom domains
- Password protection
- Graph and full text search
- Mobile-friendly and SEO optimized
- Priority support
Catalyst
- Early access to beta versions
- Community badges
- VIP channel access
- Support independent development
Commercial License
- Support Obsidian development
- Become a featured organization
- Bulk purchase options available
- For organizations using Obsidian for work
The core app is 100% free with no limits. Sync and Publish are optional paid add-ons. 40% discount available for students, faculty, and nonprofit employees on Sync and Publish. Full refunds within 7 days for Sync and Publish. Catalyst and Commercial licenses are non-refundable. Obsidian is 100% user-supported with no investor influence.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free core app with no limits, no sign-up required, and no feature gating — all note-taking and knowledge management features included at no cost
- True local-first architecture with offline access, zero telemetry, and open Markdown file formats ensuring you're never locked into the platform
- Massive extensibility with thousands of community plugins and themes, plus an open API for custom development
- End-to-end AES-256 encryption on Sync ensures even Obsidian cannot read your data, making it one of the most privacy-focused note apps available
- Cross-platform availability on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android with seamless sync capabilities
- Active community and regular development updates with detailed changelogs, Discord support, and annual community events like Obsidian October
Cons
- ×Sync and Publish are paid add-ons that can add up — syncing across devices costs $4-8/month per user plus $8-10/month per published site
- ×Steep learning curve for beginners due to the Markdown-based interface, extensive plugin ecosystem, and concept of linked notes and graph views
- ×No built-in real-time collaborative editing — shared vaults via Sync require all collaborators to have their own Sync subscription
- ×Plugin quality varies significantly since they're community-developed, and some may break with app updates or conflict with each other
- ×No web-based access — requires downloading the desktop or mobile app, with no browser-based editor for quick access from any device
- ×Storage limits on Sync Standard tier are restrictive at only 1 GB total and 5 MB per file, pushing users toward the more expensive Plus tier
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for commercial use of Obsidian?
No. You are not required to pay for a commercial license, however if you are using Obsidian for work in an organization, Obsidian encourages you to purchase a commercial license ($50/user/year) to keep Obsidian independent and 100% user-supported.
Can I buy Obsidian add-ons or licenses for someone else?
Yes! You can purchase Obsidian Credit for friends, family, and coworkers. This credit can be used to pay for any Obsidian license or service. Create an account, buy credit, then send it to the recipient via email or a shareable link.
What is Obsidian's refund policy?
Obsidian offers full refunds within 7 days of purchase with no questions asked for Obsidian Sync and Publish. However, Catalyst licenses, Commercial licenses, and Obsidian Credit are non-refundable.
Does Obsidian store, access, or process user data?
No. Obsidian is a private and secure space for your thoughts. You can use the apps without sharing any personal information, and your data is stored locally on your device, making it inaccessible to Obsidian. The apps do not collect telemetry data and they never sell user data. If you use Obsidian Sync, your data is secured with AES-256 end-to-end encryption.
Does Obsidian offer discounts for education, nonprofits, or other groups?
Yes! Students, faculty members, and nonprofit employees are eligible for a 40% discount on Obsidian Sync and Publish. Obsidian does not offer any other discounts or promotions.
What benefits does the Catalyst license grant?
By becoming a Catalyst member ($25 one-time), you'll receive early access to beta versions of Obsidian, as well as special badges within the community and access to a VIP channel. Catalyst plays a vital role in helping Obsidian remain 100% user-supported, free from investor influence.
Is Obsidian free to use?
Yes, Obsidian is completely free without limits and requires no sign-up. The core note-taking app includes all features like linking, graph view, Canvas, Bases, plugins, and themes at no cost. Optional paid add-ons include Sync (starting at $4/month) and Publish (starting at $8/month).
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