Obsidian
Local-first Markdown notes with links, graph view and thousands of plugins.
Every fact below verified on Oct 6, 2026
In one paragraph
Obsidian is local-first Markdown notes with links, graph view and thousands of plugins. It has a free plan and paid plans from $4/mo, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Pricing & key facts
- Developer
- Obsidian
- First released
- 2020
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Free plan
- YesThe app is free without limits, including commercial use. Sync and Publish are paid add-ons.
- Open source
- No
- Sync Standard $4/mo billed annually ($5 monthly). 1 vault, 1 GB
- Sync Plus $8/mo billed annually ($10 monthly). 10 vaults, 10–100 GB
- Publish $8/mo billed annually ($10 monthly). Per site
Checked against obsidian.md on Oct 6, 2026
Key features
- Notes are plain Markdown files in a local folder you own
- Bidirectional links and graph view
- Canvas for visual boards
- Thousands of community plugins and themes
- Optional end-to-end encrypted Sync (AES-256)
- Web Clipper for all major browsers
Limitations
- The app itself is closed source
- Built-in cross-device sync costs extra
- No real-time collaborative editing like Notion or Google Docs
Good to know
Works fully offline. Sync via Obsidian Sync (E2EE) or your own Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive or Git.