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Obsidian

by Obsidian

Local-first Markdown knowledge base.

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Reviewed by the Softwares.com Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · How we rate

Obsidian screenshot

Key facts

Vendor
Obsidian
Pricing
Freemium — Free – $4/mo
Free tier
Yes
Platforms
Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android
Best for
Researchers, Writers, Power Users
Editor rating
4.7 / 5
Founded
2020
Headquarters
Remote

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device, making it private, fast, and future-proof. Its backlinks and graph view suit personal knowledge management, and a huge plugin community extends it endlessly. It is free for personal use; sync and publish are paid add-ons.

Obsidian pricing

Personal
Free
  • Local files
  • Plugins
Get Personal
Sync
$4/mo
  • End-to-end encrypted sync
Get Sync
Commercial
$50/user/yr
Get Commercial

Pros

  • Local-first & private
  • Plain Markdown
  • Massive plugin ecosystem

Cons

  • Steeper setup
  • Collaboration is limited
  • Mobile UX is dense

Obsidian vs alternatives

See all Obsidian alternatives →

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Frequently asked questions

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a local-first, Markdown-based note app with backlinks and a powerful plugin ecosystem.

How much does Obsidian cost?

Obsidian is freemium-priced. It has a free tier. Paid plans start at $4/mo.

Does Obsidian have a free trial?

Obsidian offers a free tier rather than a time-limited trial.

What platforms does Obsidian support?

Obsidian is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android.