Obsidian
Review · Documentation & Knowledge · Freemium
About Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain Markdown files. Its bi-directional linking creates a network of connected notes—a personal knowledge graph.
Unlike cloud-based tools, Obsidian stores notes locally as Markdown files. This means you own your data completely and can access it without internet. The app is essentially a viewer for your text files, ensuring your knowledge is future-proof.
Plugins extend Obsidian's capabilities—there are hundreds for everything from calendars to Kanban boards to mind maps. For personal knowledge management (PKM) enthusiasts building a "second brain," Obsidian is the tool of choice.
Key Features
- ✓Bi-directional links
- ✓Graph view of note connections
- ✓Local Markdown files
- ✓500+ community plugins
- ✓Custom themes
- ✓Canvas for visual thinking
Pricing
Personal
$0
- • Unlimited notes
- • All core features
- • Community plugins
- • Themes
Sync
$5/mo
- • End-to-end encrypted sync
- • Version history
- • Priority support
Publish
$10/mo
- • Publish notes to web
- • Custom domain
- • Password protection
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Obsidian free?
Yes, Obsidian is completely free for personal use with unlimited notes and all core features. Paid services include Sync ($5/mo) and Publish ($10/mo).
Does Obsidian sync across devices?
Obsidian stores notes locally. For sync, you can use Obsidian Sync ($5/mo), iCloud, Dropbox, or other file sync services.
What is Obsidian used for?
Obsidian is used for personal knowledge management, research notes, journaling, and building connected knowledge bases using bi-directional linking.
Quick Verdict
Markdown-based note-taking with bi-directional linking for personal knowledge
92/100 · Excellent
Pros
- ✓Your data stays local
- ✓Extremely customizable via plugins
- ✓Fast and lightweight
Cons
- ✗Sync requires paid add-on
- ✗Steeper learning curve
- ✗Less collaborative than cloud tools
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