Freemium· Free, optional $50/year commercial license

Obsidian

A powerful knowledge base that works on local Markdown files.

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Independently verifiedLast checked: June 15, 2026

Obsidian is available with a generous free tier productivity tool available on WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX. It serves as an alternative to Notion, Evernote — subscription software that costs $31/month combined. It's best suited for note-takers, researchers, writers.

Why Choose Obsidian?

  • +Full ownership — your data stays on your device, no cloud dependency
  • +Works offline — no internet connection required for core functionality
  • +No account required — download and start using immediately
  • +Save $370/year compared to subscription alternatives
  • +Cross-platform support — available on 5 platforms

Basic Info

PricingFree, optional $50/year commercial license
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoriesProductivity
Open SourceNo
Offline SupportYes
Account RequiredNo
Free TrialNo
Last CheckedJune 15, 2026

Ownership & Dependency

Ownership

HIGH

Cloud Dependency

LOW

Best For

Note-takersResearchersWritersKnowledge workers

Pros

  • +Local-first storage
  • +Markdown based
  • +Powerful linking
  • +Plugin ecosystem

Cons

  • Sync costs extra
  • Learning curve
  • No web version

How to Switch to Obsidian

  1. 1

    Export your data

    Export your data from your current tool in CSV, PDF, or native format.

  2. 2

    Install Obsidian

    Download Obsidian from the official website. It costs Free, optional $50/year commercial license — a one-time purchase.

  3. 3

    Import and configure

    Import your data into Obsidian and customize the settings to match your workflow.

  4. 4

    Cancel your subscription

    Once you're comfortable with Obsidian, cancel your subscription and start saving.

Replacing: Notion or Evernote

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Obsidian a good replacement for Notion?

Yes. Obsidian handles most of what Notion does, for a one-time $0 payment. Notion costs $10/month ($120/year). The main differences are in advanced features and ecosystem integrations.

Is Obsidian really a one-time purchase?

Yes, Obsidian costs $0 as a one-time purchase. You pay once and own it forever — no monthly or annual fees.

What platforms does Obsidian support?

Obsidian is available on WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX, IOS, ANDROID. This cross-platform support means you can use it on all your devices.

How much money can I save with Obsidian?

By replacing Notion, Evernote, you save approximately $370/year in subscription fees. The savings start immediately.

Does Obsidian require an internet connection?

No. Obsidian works fully offline — you only need internet for initial download and updates.

Compare Obsidian with alternatives

Obsidian replaces these subscriptions

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