Obsidian
Plain Markdown files on your own device, linked into a graph — yours forever, no lock-in.
Standout features
Obsidian stores every note as a plain Markdown file on your machine, then links them into a navigable graph of ideas.
Worldwide search interest, indexed 0–100 · Google Trends.
Obsidian is a local-first knowledge base built on plain Markdown files — the power-user favourite for owning your notes outright.
- Notes are plain Markdown on your device — no vendor lock-in.
- Bidirectional links and a graph view surface how ideas connect.
- New Bases feature adds database-style organisation to your vault.
- AI arrives through community plugins rather than a built-in assistant.
Obsidian’s capability comes from its plugin ecosystem.
- Core: Canvas, graph view, Bases, Properties and daily notes.
- Over 2,000 community plugins, including AI search and writing helpers.
- AI plugins (Smart Connections, Copilot) bring local or API models in.
- Everything runs on local files — nothing sent to Obsidian’s servers by default.
The app is free; you only pay for optional cloud services.
Obsidian is for people who want to own their knowledge.
- Privacy-conscious note-takers who want local files.
- Researchers and writers building a long-term second brain.
- Tinkerers who enjoy customising with plugins.
- Teams needing real-time collaboration.
- People who want AI built in with zero setup.
No tool is perfect — the trade-offs to weigh:
- Setup investment — you start with an empty vault.
- Collaboration is minimal — built for one person.
- AI is bring-your-own — via plugins, not native.
- Mobile is functional but less fluid than desktop.
- ✓Local Markdown files — full data ownership, no lock-in
- ✓Bidirectional linking and graph view
- ✓New Bases feature adds database views
- ✓2,000+ free community plugins, including AI
- ✓Free core app, even for commercial use
- ✕Significant setup; you build the system yourself
- ✕Collaboration features are minimal
- ✕AI is bring-your-own via plugins, not built in
- ✕Mobile app is less fluid than desktop
Obsidian draws fierce loyalty from people who want their notes as plain files they control. The graph, links and plugin ecosystem get praised as having no ceiling. The recurring caveats: a steep empty-vault start, minimal collaboration, and AI that you have to wire in yourself through plugins. For solo, privacy-minded knowledge work, sentiment is strongly positive.
Obsidian is made by Obsidian.md, the small team (founders of Dynalist) behind the local-first Markdown app.
Company figures are drawn from public disclosures and reputable trackers (gathered Jun 2026). User and revenue numbers are estimates and move fast.
Pick up to two other coding tools to see them head-to-head on the same rubric.