Obsidian

Your second brain, built on local markdown files

Obsidian is a note-taking app that stores everything as plain markdown files on your computer. Your files stay on your machine in an open format, with no lock-in. The power comes from linking notes together and building a personal knowledge graph that mirrors how your brain works.

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a note-taking app, but calling it that undersells it. it's really a tool for building a personal knowledge base. A "second brain" that stores everything you know and makes it findable and connectable.

the key difference from apps like Notion or Apple Notes: Obsidian stores everything as plain markdown files on your computer. no cloud, no proprietary format, no subscription required for basic use. your notes are just.md files in a folder. you can open them in any text editor, back them up however you want, and they'll be readable in 50 years.

the magic happens when you start linking notes together. write a note about a project, link it to a note about a concept, link that to a note from a book you read, and over time, you build a web of connected knowledge that mirrors how your brain works.

Who should use Obsidian?

researchers and writers: if you read a lot, take notes on what you read, and need to connect ideas across different sources, Obsidian is built for you. the bidirectional linking and graph view make it easy to find connections you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

developers and technical users: markdown is native, the plugin API is well-documented, and the community builds incredible extensions. if you're comfortable with code, Obsidian is a playground.

ADHD brains: externalizing your working memory into a system of linked notes can be genuinely helpful. the daily notes feature provides structure without rigidity. see our ADHD productivity tools guide for more on building systems that work with ADHD. also check out our guide on building a second brain with AI.

probably not for you if: you want collaboration features (use Notion), you want something that works out of the box without setup (use Apple Notes or Google Keep), or you don't take many notes (you don't need this level of tooling).

Pricing

Obsidian is free for personal use. genuinely free, not a trial, not a limited version. all the core features work without paying anything.

Sync at $4/month adds end-to-end encrypted sync across all your devices. you can also use iCloud, Dropbox, or Syncthing for free, but Obsidian Sync is more reliable and handles conflicts better.

Publish at $8/month lets you publish notes as a website. useful for digital gardens and public knowledge bases.

Commercial use requires a $50/year license, which is reasonable.

Obsidian vs Notion

this is the most common comparison, and the answer depends on what you need. Notion is better for collaboration, databases, project management, and teams. Obsidian is better for personal knowledge management, privacy, speed, and long-term data ownership.

many people (including us) use both: Obsidian for personal notes and knowledge building, Notion for team collaboration and structured data. see our Notion vs Obsidian comparison for the full breakdown.

for more on building a productive tool stack, check our best AI tools for small business guide.

What you get

• Bidirectional linking Link any note to any other note with [[wiki-style links]]. The linked note automatically shows the backlink. Over time, this creates a web of connected knowledge.
• Graph view A visual map of all your notes and their connections. Looks cool, but more importantly, helps you see clusters of related ideas and find unexpected connections.
• Local-first storage All notes are plain markdown files stored on your computer. No cloud, no account, no proprietary format. You can read them in any text editor.
• Community plugins 1000+ community plugins that add everything from calendars to kanban boards to AI integrations. Obsidian's community is incredibly active.
• Canvas A freeform visual workspace for arranging notes, images, and connections on an infinite canvas. Good for brainstorming and project planning.
• Daily notes Automatic daily note creation for journaling, meeting notes, and daily planning. Links from daily notes connect to your broader knowledge base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Obsidian really free?

Yes. Obsidian is free for personal use with no feature limits. Sync ($4/month) and Publish ($8/month) are optional paid features. Commercial use requires a $50/year license. You can use Obsidian seriously and indefinitely without paying anything.

Is Obsidian better than Notion?

For personal knowledge management, local-first storage, and privacy. Yes. For collaboration, databases, and team workflows. No. Many people use both. Obsidian is a note-taking powerhouse; Notion is a workspace and collaboration tool. Different tools for different jobs.

Is Obsidian good for ADHD?

It can be excellent. The daily notes feature provides structure, the graph view helps visualize connections between ideas, and externalizing your knowledge into linked notes reduces the burden on working memory. The caveat: the setup process requires executive function, so it helps to have a template or guide to start from.

Where does Obsidian store my notes?

On your computer, as plain markdown (.md) files in a regular folder. You choose the location. There's no cloud: your notes are truly yours. You can sync them across devices using Obsidian Sync ($4/month) or free alternatives like iCloud or Dropbox.

Can I use Obsidian on my phone?

Yes. Obsidian has mobile apps for iOS and Android. The mobile experience is functional but not as smooth as desktop. You'll need Obsidian Sync or another syncing solution to access the same notes across devices.