Obsidian
A powerful knowledge base that works on local Markdown files
About Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base and note-taking app that works on top of a local folder of plain Markdown files. Unlike cloud-based competitors, your data stays on your device and you own it forever. The app supports bidirectional linking between notes, creating a personal wiki where ideas connect naturally. Its graph view visualizes relationships between your notes, revealing patterns and connections you might miss. Obsidian is incredibly extensible with 1,500+ community plugins covering everything from Kanban boards and dataview queries to Excalidraw integration and spaced repetition flashcards. The Canvas feature lets you arrange notes, images, and cards on an infinite spatial canvas for visual thinking. With support for templates, daily notes, and advanced search with regex, it adapts to any workflow. Obsidian Sync offers end-to-end encrypted cloud sync, while Obsidian Publish lets you turn notes into a beautiful website. The app works on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android with a consistent experience across all platforms.
Key Features
- Local-first Markdown files you own forever
- Graph view for visualizing note connections
- Hundreds of community plugins and themes
- Backlinks and bidirectional linking
- Canvas for visual brainstorming
- Publish and Sync as optional paid services
- Templates and daily notes
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Your data stays local in plain Markdown files
- Extremely customizable with plugins
- Works offline with no internet required
- Active and passionate community
- Free for personal use
Room for improvement
- Sync and Publish require paid subscriptions
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Mobile app can feel slower than desktop
- No real-time collaboration built in
