Obsidian alternatives · Note-Taking
Self-hosted alternatives to Obsidian
The Obsidian listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 20 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be self-hosted, 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.
20 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to Obsidian
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Anytype
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data
- Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Anytype is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Anytype also covers kanban boards.
- Free plan · from $6.75/mo
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.
- Free plan · from $6/mo
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.
- Free
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.
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
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.
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Standard Notes lists a web app.
- Standard Notes is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Standard Notes also covers web clipper.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Notesnook lists a web app.
- Notesnook is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Notesnook also covers web clipper.
- Free plan · from $64 one-time
SiYuan
Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks
- SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only SiYuan lists a web app.
- SiYuan is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- SiYuan also covers databases.
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Lockbook
Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing
- Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Lockbook is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Obsidian also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
- Free
Linwood Butterfly
Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas
- Linwood Butterfly is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Linwood Butterfly lists a web app.
- Only Obsidian lists an iOS app.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Free plan · from $50/yr
SilverBullet
Scriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop
- SilverBullet starts at $50 per user / year (Desktop Pro, required for work use). Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only SilverBullet lists a web app.
- Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Free
Trilium Notes
Free, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base
- Trilium Notes is free. Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on).
- Only Trilium Notes lists a web app.
- Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
- Trilium Notes is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
8 more that can be self-hosted
All 20 in one tableCommon questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Obsidian?
Yes. Anytype, AFFiNE, AppFlowy, FUTO Notes, Joplin, Standard Notes, Notesnook, SiYuan and 12 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Obsidian be self-hosted?
The Obsidian listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 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.