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Obsidian alternatives · Note-Taking

Open-source alternatives to Obsidian

Obsidian is not described as open source on its own site. 50 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Obsidian has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). All of them are free or have a free plan.

50 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Obsidian

  1. Logseq

    Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files

    • Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Logseq lists a web app.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Logseq is open source, according to its own site.
    Logseq vs ObsidianLogseq pricing and details

  2. AFFiNE

    Open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases

    • AFFiNE starts at $6.75 per month, billed annually. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only AFFiNE lists a web app.
    • AFFiNE is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    AFFiNE vs ObsidianAFFiNE pricing and details

  3. AppFlowy

    Open-core workspace for docs, wikis and projects you can self-host

    • AppFlowy starts at $6 / month, billed annually (self-hosted One); cloud Pro is $16 per member. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only AppFlowy lists a web app.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • AppFlowy is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    AppFlowy vs ObsidianAppFlowy pricing and details

  4. Bangle.io

    Browser-based notes app that edits your local Markdown files

    • Bangle.io is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Bangle.io lists a web app.
    • Only Obsidian lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    Bangle.io vs ObsidianBangle.io pricing and details

  5. Beaver Notes

    Open-source, local-first Markdown notes app for desktop

    • Beaver Notes is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Beaver Notes is open source, according to its own site.
    Beaver Notes vs ObsidianBeaver Notes pricing and details

  6. Tolaria

    Free, open-source desktop app for Markdown knowledge bases

    • Tolaria is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Tolaria is open source, according to its own site.
    Tolaria pricing and details

  7. Tangent Notes

    Open-source Markdown notes app that maps the path between notes

    • Tangent Notes is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Tangent Notes is open source, according to its own site.
    Tangent Notes pricing and details

  8. Cryptee

    Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia

    • Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Cryptee lists a web app.
    • Only Obsidian lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    Cryptee pricing and details

  9. FUTO Notes

    Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

    • FUTO Notes is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • FUTO Notes is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Obsidian also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
    FUTO Notes pricing and details

  10. Reflect

    Open-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown

    • Reflect starts at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Reflect is open source, according to its own site.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Reflect pricing and details

  11. Joplin

    Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose

    • Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Joplin lists a web app.
    • Joplin is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Joplin also covers web clipper.
    Joplin pricing and details

  12. Simplenote

    Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform

    • Simplenote is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
    Simplenote pricing and details

38 more that are open source

All 50 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Obsidian?

Yes. Logseq, AFFiNE, AppFlowy, Bangle.io, Beaver Notes, Tolaria, Tangent Notes, Cryptee and 42 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Obsidian open source?

Obsidian is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Obsidian: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.