Obsidian
Local-first Markdown knowledge base with graph view and plugin ecosystem.
- Pricing
- free, subscription, perpetual
- Free tier
- true
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- License
- proprietary
- Open source
- No
Ranking
Methodology: Note-taking Apps — Baseline Methodology v1.0.0 · last ranking update 2026-09-13 · eligibility: ranked
Why this rank? See the factor breakdown
| Factor | Weight | Score | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note-taking Apps — core capability coverage score | 15.0% | 90.0 | Moderate |
| Note-taking Apps — outcome quality score | 12.0% | 88.0 | Moderate |
| Note-taking Apps — advanced workflow depth score | 10.0% | 89.0 | Moderate |
| Note-taking Apps — domain interoperability score | 8.0% | 80.0 | Moderate |
| Note-taking Apps — scale / capacity score | 5.0% | 82.0 | Moderate |
| Usability & adoption | 10.0% | 76.0 | Moderate |
| Reliability & performance | 8.0% | 90.0 | Moderate |
| Security, privacy & compliance | 10.0% | 88.0 | Moderate |
| Interoperability & ecosystem | 8.0% | 84.0 | Moderate |
| Value & total cost | 7.0% | 92.0 | Moderate |
| Support & documentation | 4.0% | 78.0 | Moderate |
| Evidence confidence | 3.0% | 82.0 | Moderate |
12 of 12 factors currently assessed for Obsidian. “—” means not yet assessed — never a hidden zero. Weights and thresholds are published in the category methodology.
Editorial review
Obsidian has not yet been editorially reviewed. User reviews and published field data below are unaffected — we say so rather than implying an editorial verdict.
Sign in to save this tool to a private list.
Overview
Obsidian is a note-taking app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a local folder. It features bidirectional linking, a relationship graph, canvas boards, and a large community plugin ecosystem. Sync and publish services are paid add-ons.
Facts & attributes
Every value carries its evidence state. “—” means unknown — never a silent default (P-02).
Identity · Taxonomy
- Documentation(HTTPS URL)
- https://obsidian.md/help/Verification pending
- Tags(open-source;cloud-native)
- markdown, local-first, knowledge-base, pluginsVerification pending
Platform · Deployment
- Delivery model(SaaS;self-hosted;desktop;mobile;embedded;managed-cloud;appliance)
- desktop, mobileVerification pending
- Desktop apps(Windows;macOS;Linux)
- Windows, macOS, LinuxVerification pending
- Mobile apps(iOS;Android)
- iOS, AndroidVerification pending
- Offline mode(true/false)
- trueVerification pending
- Operating systems(Windows;macOS;Linux;iOS;Android)
- Windows, macOS, LinuxVerification pending
Pricing · Licensing
- Free plan(true/false)
- trueVerification pending
- License model(proprietary;open-source;source-available;dual-license)
- proprietaryVerification pending
- Open source(true/false)
- falseVerification pending
- Pricing model(free;subscription;usage;seat;asset;transaction;revenue-share;perpetual;custom)
- free, subscription, perpetualVerification pending
- Starting price(29)
- 4Verification pending
Features · Product · Fit
- Core capabilities(authoring;automation;analytics)
- Local Markdown vaults, Graph view and backlinks, Community plugins and themes, Obsidian Sync with end-to-end encryption, Obsidian Publish sites, Canvas and Bases viewsVerification pending
Api · Integrations · Ecosystem
- CLI(true/false)
- trueVerification pending
Audience · Use · Case
- Best for(Neutral editorial summary)
- Individuals who want full ownership of their notes in local Markdown files with a large plugin ecosystem, and who are comfortable managing their own setup.Verification pending
- Company-size fit(individual;SMB;mid-market;enterprise)
- individual, SMBVerification pending
- Primary use cases(build;monitor;automate)
- Personal knowledge management, Long-form Markdown writing, Private local-first note storageVerification pending
- Skill level(beginner;intermediate;advanced;specialist)
- intermediateVerification pending
Lifecycle · Versioning
- Changelog/release notes(HTTPS URL)
- https://obsidian.md/changelogVerification pending
- Current version(1.12.3)
- 1.14.1Verification pending
- Maintenance status(active;maintenance;deprecated;EOL;archived)
- activeVerification pending
Vendor · Maintainer
- Founded year(2012)
- 2020Verification pending
- Vendor type(commercial;foundation;community;government;consortium;individual)
- commercialVerification pending
Also categorized in
User reviews
Review policyNo published reviews yet.
Write a review
Sign in to write a review. One review per person per tool; your review enters moderation before publication.