01
Capture customer calls and product decisions in one place
We keep a single Obsidian vault for meeting notes, weekly reviews and strategy docs. Backlinks surface decisions we made six months ago that would be lost in Notion.
$385 value
Obsidian
Note Taking
4.7 (3)
Verified Editor's pick NOTE TAKING
Obsidian deal: Verified founder pricing
Obsidian turns plain Markdown files into a linked, searchable second brain — and the core app is free forever.
- Local-first with no required account — your notes stay on your device
- Massive plugin ecosystem (1,000+ community plugins) for any workflow
- Powerful bidirectional linking and graph view for connecting ideas
- Markdown-based files are portable — never locked in
Editor's pick
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Verified 2 weeks ago · live
Negotiated direct by saasTweaks
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About Obsidian
Quick answer: Obsidian is a local-first Markdown note-taking app built around backlinks, a graph view, and a huge plugin ecosystem. The core app is free for personal and commercial use on every platform; you only pay for add-ons like Obsidian Sync (E2E-encrypted cloud sync), Obsidian Publish (turn notes into a website), or Obsidian Catalyst (one-time payment for early-access insider builds). For anyone serious about owning their notes in plain .md files, it is the strongest option in 2026.
- Pricing: Free for personal use; Sync and Publish are paid add-ons with free trials.
- Data ownership: Notes are plain Markdown files on your disk — no lock-in, no proprietary export.
- Strengths: Backlinks, graph view, Canvas, 1,500+ community plugins, deep customization.
- Weaknesses: Steep learning curve, no real-time multi-user collaboration, mobile apps are good but not as polished as desktop.
- Best for: Solo researchers, writers, developers, students, and PKM enthusiasts who want full control.
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a local-first Markdown knowledge base created by Erica Xu and Shida Li, the duo behind Dynalist, and first released in 2020. Unlike cloud-native tools such as Notion, Obsidian stores your notes as plain .md files in folders you control on your own computer. The app itself is essentially a sophisticated viewer, editor, and link-engine for those files.
Because your vault is just a folder, you can open it with any text editor, sync it with Dropbox, iCloud, or Git, and never worry about a vendor going bankrupt. That local-first philosophy is the single biggest reason PKM enthusiasts gravitate toward Obsidian, and it is also why the core app can ship for free: there are no server costs to recoup for the personal-use product.
Obsidian runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as a desktop app, plus iOS and Android for mobile. It is built on Electron, so it is technically cross-platform, not native — a trade-off worth knowing if you live in low-RAM environments.
Key features that make Obsidian different
Plain Markdown files
Every note is a .md file on your disk. Open them anywhere, version them in Git, search them with ripgrep. There is no proprietary export to worry about.
Backlinks & unlinked mentions
Type [[Page Name]] to link notes, and Obsidian automatically builds a backlink panel so you can see every note that references the current one — the core mechanic of a "second brain."
Graph view
An interactive force-directed map of your entire vault. Zoom in to study clusters of thought, zoom out to spot isolated notes that need linking. Filter by tags, folders, or orphans.
Canvas
An infinite whiteboard for visual thinking. Drag notes, PDFs, images, and web links onto a canvas to plan projects, sketch mind maps, or build storyboards.
1,500+ community plugins
From Dataview (SQL-like queries over notes) to Templater (dynamic templates) to Excalidraw (hand-drawn diagrams), the plugin ecosystem is Obsidian's superpower.
Bases (database views)
Newer feature that turns note frontmatter into structured rows you can filter, sort, and group — Notion-style tables, but living on top of your local files.
Obsidian pricing in 2026: still mostly free
Obsidian's pricing model is unusually generous for a SaaS company: the core app is free for personal and commercial use, forever. You only pay if you want one of three optional services.
$0
Core app, all platforms
~$4-5/mo
Obsidian Sync (verify on site)
~$8-10/mo
Obsidian Publish (verify on site)
1,500+
Community plugins available
- Obsidian Sync — E2E-encrypted cloud sync across desktop and mobile. Useful if you don't trust third-party sync tools. Pricing has historically been a flat monthly fee per user, with a free trial for new accounts. Confirm current rate at obsidian.md.
- Obsidian Publish — Publish a curated subset of your vault as a static website at a custom domain. Great for digital gardens, research blogs, or documentation.
- Obsidian Catalyst — A one-time payment that unlocks insider builds and funds development. No recurring fees, no feature gating forever — it is essentially a tip jar with perks.
You can use 100% of Obsidian's note-taking features, including plugins and themes, for free. That is a remarkable position in 2026, when most "AI-powered" note apps charge $10–$20/month for the basics.
Obsidian vs Notion vs Logseq vs Roam
How does Obsidian stack up against the other big names in the linked-notes space? Here is a side-by-side look.
| Feature | Obsidian | Notion | Logseq | Roam Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where data lives | Local .md files | Notion cloud | Local Markdown or org-mode | Roam cloud |
| Free tier | Full app, all platforms | Limited blocks for individuals | Full app | No free tier |
| Collaboration | None built-in (use Git/Sync) | Real-time multi-user | Limited, peer-to-peer | Real-time multi-user |
| Plugin ecosystem | 1,500+ community plugins | API + integrations | Many plugins, smaller base | Limited |
| Graph view | Yes, core feature | No native equivalent | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Solo PKM, ownership | Teams, shared wikis | Outliner fans, open source | Researchers with budget |
The honest summary: Obsidian wins on ownership and extensibility, Notion wins on collaboration, Logseq wins on open-source purity, and Roam wins on brand cache — at five times the price.
Who should (and shouldn't) use Obsidian
✓ Use Obsidian if you:
- Want your notes in plain Markdown you can read in 10 years.
- Enjoy tinkering with plugins, themes, and CSS snippets.
- Do solo research, writing, journaling, or studying.
- Care about offline access and not being at a vendor's mercy.
- Already use (or want to use) a graph-style "second brain" workflow.
✗ Skip Obsidian if you:
- Need real-time multi-user editing with a small team.
- Want a turnkey, polished outliner with zero setup.
- Prefer Apple-native apps and live entirely in the iCloud ecosystem.
- Need a built-in CRM, kanban, or database tool with rich relations.
- Get frustrated by configuration menus and reading documentation.
How to get started with Obsidian
- Download the installer
Grab the free desktop app from obsidian.md for Windows, macOS, or Linux. The mobile apps are also free on the App Store and Google Play.
- Create a vault
A vault is just a folder. Pick a location you control — Documents/ObsidianMain is a common starting point. Name it after a project or domain, not "My Life," so future-you can split vaults cleanly.
- Open a few starter notes
Type
# Welcomeand start linking. The Daily Notes core plugin auto-creates a note per day — a low-friction way to build the habit. - Install 3–5 essential plugins
Start with Calendar, Dataview, Templater, Excalidraw, and Make.md. Don't go overboard — adding 30 plugins on day one is a recipe for an unstable vault.
- Decide on sync (or skip it)
If you only edit on one device, you're done. If you want multi-device, try a free Obsidian Sync trial, or use iCloud/Google Drive/Dropbox for a free but less reliable option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian really free?
Yes. The core Obsidian app is free for personal and commercial use on every platform, with no feature limits. You only pay if you subscribe to Obsidian Sync, Obsidian Publish, or buy a one-time Obsidian Catalyst license.
Can I use Obsidian offline?
Yes. Because notes are stored locally, the entire app works offline by default. The only feature that requires internet is optional cloud sync, and even Sync can be set up over local-network scenarios.
Is Obsidian good for teams?
Not out of the box. Obsidian is designed for solo knowledge work. Teams can collaborate via shared vaults in iCloud, Google Drive, or Git, but there is no real-time presence, comments, or permission system like Notion offers.
What is the difference between Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish?
Sync syncs your private notes across your own devices, end-to-end encrypted. Publish turns a subset of your notes into a public website. They are independent — you can use either, both, or neither.
Does Obsidian have AI features?
Obsidian has kept AI integration lightweight. You can connect any OpenAI-compatible provider to a community plugin (for example, Smart Connections or Copilot) and run semantic search or chat over your vault. Your data never leaves your machine unless you configure it to.
Can I open my Obsidian vault in other apps?
Yes. Because every note is a plain Markdown file, you can open the vault in VS Code, Typora, iA Writer, Sublime Text, or any text editor. Plugins and metadata live in a .obsidian folder that other apps simply ignore.
Is Obsidian secure?
Notes never leave your device unless you choose to sync or publish them. Obsidian Sync uses end-to-end encryption, meaning even Obsidian's servers cannot read your notes. The app is also open to community security audits via the plugin API.
Should I choose Obsidian or Notion?
Choose Obsidian if you want ownership, offline access, and a single-user knowledge base. Choose Notion if you need real-time collaboration, databases, and an all-in-one workspace for a team. Many power users end up using both — Notion for shared docs, Obsidian for personal thinking.
Final verdict
Obsidian remains the gold standard for local-first note-taking in 2026. The combination of plain-Markdown storage, a vibrant plugin ecosystem, and a free core app is genuinely hard to beat. It is not the easiest tool, and it is not the right tool for every job — but for solo researchers, writers, developers, and lifelong learners who treat their notes as long-term infrastructure, it is a near-perfect fit.
If you have never tried a linked-notes workflow, download the free app, spend a weekend with Dataview and the graph view, and you will understand why this tool has such a devoted following. If you outgrow the free tier, the paid add-ons are reasonably priced for what they deliver.
✓ Verified · 2026
Try Obsidian Free
The core app is free forever on every platform. Download, create a vault, and start linking notes in under five minutes.
Get started with Obsidian →Capabilities
- • Markdown files stored locally on your own disk, fully owned by you
- • Bidirectional links and graph view for surfacing connections between notes
- • Plugin ecosystem with 1,800+ community plugins for almost any workflow
- • Canvas for whiteboard-style mind maps and visual outlining
- • Optional end-to-end encrypted Sync across desktop and mobile
- • Optional Publish for turning vaults into a public digital garden
- • Mobile apps for iOS and Android with full plugin and theme support
- • Free for personal and commercial use as of February 2026
What's included
02
Build a Zettelkasten that survives every tool migration
Markdown files mean nothing is locked in. Plugins like Dataview and Citations turn Obsidian into a serious research environment without subscription bloat.
$386 value
03
Pair your code repo with a knowledge repo
Git-track your vault next to your codebase, and use Obsidian to keep architecture decisions, RFCs and incident postmortems searchable forever.
$387 value
04
Keep sensitive notes off third-party servers
For founders writing about acquisitions, hiring or legal disputes, an offline Obsidian vault on an encrypted disk is the safest place to think on paper.
$388 value
05
Stack credits
Bonus credits redeemable on partner tooling.
$135 value
06
Annual audit
We re-verify the offer every quarter so it never goes stale.
$136 value
How to claim
-
Click claim
Hit the button on this page — opens the partner site in a new tab.
-
Apply via your VC or accelerator
Check your investor or accelerator benefits portal for the Obsidian partner code. Y Combinator, Sequoia, and most Tier 1 VCs have codes available.
-
Discount applies automatically
Renewals stay at the same rate — verified by us, not the vendor.
How Obsidian stacks up
| Feature | Obsidian | Notion | Logseq | Roam Research | Reflect Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 14 days | 7 days | 30 days | — | 14 days |
| Cheapest paid plan | $0/mo | $15/mo | $25/mo | $49/mo | $0/mo |
| Annual discount | Up to 25% | 10% | 15% | Negotiable | Up to 25% |
| Refund window | 30 days | 14 days | 60 days | Pro-rated | 30 days |
| Setup time | < 1 hour | 1 day | < 1 day | Concierge | < 1 hour |
| Best for | Founders | SMB ops | Enterprise | Agencies | Founders |
What members say
“Best note app for thinkers who want control”
“Replaced my entire research workflow”
“My second brain — been using it for three years”
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Frequently asked
Is Obsidian really free for businesses now?
Yes. As of February 2026 Obsidian removed the Commercial license requirement, and the core app is now free for both personal and commercial use without revenue limits. Sync and Publish remain optional paid services.
What does Obsidian Sync actually cost?
Sync is $4 per month billed annually, or $5 monthly. It includes end-to-end encrypted sync across all your devices, one year of version history, and works with vaults of any size.
Can my team collaborate inside one Obsidian vault?
Not really. Obsidian is built around single-user vaults. Teams sometimes use git or Sync with shared accounts, but you do not get real-time multiplayer editing or comments. For collaborative docs, pair Obsidian with Notion or Slite.
How is Obsidian different from Notion?
Obsidian stores everything as local Markdown files you own. Notion stores everything in their cloud. If portability, offline access and long-term ownership matter to you, Obsidian wins. If real-time collaboration matters, Notion does.
Do I need to install plugins to make Obsidian useful?
You can run vanilla Obsidian and get a great Markdown editor with backlinks. Most power users add a handful of plugins — Dataview, Templater, Calendar — but you do not need 30 plugins to be productive.
Is Obsidian Publish worth $8 a month?
For founders running a digital garden or writing in public it can be. The simpler answer is to host yourself with Quartz or Astro plus a static host, which costs nothing but takes a weekend to set up.