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Alternatives / Obsidian

Open-source alternatives to Obsidian

19 genuinely open-source alternatives. The projects are compared by license, workflow, self-hosting, and pricing.

Why look for a Obsidian alternative?

Obsidian stores notes locally as Markdown files, but the application itself is proprietary. People look for alternatives when they want a fully open-source codebase, self-hosting, end-to-end encrypted sync, built-in collaboration, integrated databases or whiteboards, or less dependence on proprietary plugins and services. This comparison also distinguishes open-source, open-core, source-available, and license-unverified projects.

#1

AppFlowy

Open-source workspace for documents, databases, wikis, and AI.

AppFlowy is an AGPL-3.0 workspace with documents, databases, wikis, project management, offline support, desktop and mobile apps, AI features, and self-hosted sync.

71.4K5.3KAGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source; hosted sync and commercial services may be available.

  • Offline support and self-hosting
  • Documents, databases, and AI
  • Desktop and mobile apps
  • Not based around plain Markdown vaults
  • More workspace-oriented than PKM-focused
View on GitHub
#2

Macro Docs

Collaborative Markdown-native workspace with tasks and AI agents.

Macro is an AGPL-3.0 collaborative knowledge workspace combining Markdown-native documents with real-time collaboration, structured properties, tasks, communication, and AI agents.

AGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Open source and self-hostable; hosted services may be offered separately.

  • Markdown-native documents
  • Real-time collaboration and AI agents
  • Self-hosting
  • More team-focused than Obsidian
  • Less centered on a simple Markdown folder
View on GitHub
#3

Memos

Lightweight self-hosted Markdown timeline for quick notes.

Memos is an MIT-licensed self-hosted notes application organized around a chronological timeline for thoughts, links, logs, and short notes.

MITSelf-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under MIT; self-hosted deployment is available.

  • Lightweight and easy to self-host
  • Markdown support
  • Fast note capture
  • No Obsidian-style graph
  • Limited knowledge-management features
View on GitHub
#4

Joplin

Cross-platform Markdown notes with encryption and sync.

Joplin is an AGPL-3.0-or-later cross-platform note-taking and PKM application with Markdown, end-to-end encryption, web clipping, attachments, plugins, offline use, and multiple synchronization options.

AGPL-3.0-or-laterSelf-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source; optional hosted synchronization is available.

  • Markdown and offline use
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Plugins, web clipper, and multiple sync options
  • Less graph-focused than Obsidian
  • More traditional interface
  • Linking is less central
View on GitHub
#5

SiYuan

Local-first block-based personal knowledge management.

SiYuan is an AGPL-3.0 local-first PKM application with block references, documents, backlinks, graph views, databases, flashcards, rich editing, and Docker deployment.

AGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; some cloud functionality may be commercial.

  • Local-first block references
  • Graph view, databases, and spaced repetition
  • Offline and Docker support
  • Not a simple Markdown-vault model
  • More complex data model
  • Some cloud functionality is commercial
View on GitHub
#6

Logseq

Local-first outliner for connected Markdown knowledge.

Logseq is an AGPL-3.0 local-first PKM application centered around outlines, blocks, backlinks, daily journals, queries, flashcards, whiteboards, and connected notes.

AGPL-3.0

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0 with a local-first workflow.

  • Markdown-oriented and local-first
  • Backlinks, graph view, block references, and queries
  • Flashcards, whiteboards, and plugins
  • Outliner-first workflow differs from documents
  • Limited collaboration
  • Database model is less conventional
View on GitHub
#7

Tolaria

Markdown PKM with Git version control and integrated AI.

Tolaria is an AGPL-3.0 personal knowledge base built around plain Markdown files, YAML metadata, Git version control, Wikilinks, whiteboards, and local or cloud AI models.

AGPL-3.0

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project hosting and deployment options.

  • Plain Markdown and Git workflow
  • Wikilinks and whiteboards
  • Local/cloud AI with no mandatory account
  • Younger project
  • Smaller plugin ecosystem
  • Less mature than Obsidian or Joplin
View on GitHub
#8

Docmost

Self-hosted collaborative knowledge base for teams.

Docmost is an AGPL-3.0-core open-core collaborative knowledge base with rich documents, real-time collaboration, spaces, comments, permissions, diagrams, AI features, and enterprise documentation workflows.

AGPL-3.0 coreSelf-hosted

Pricing: Open-source core is self-hostable; enterprise features use separate licensing.

  • Self-hosted team spaces and real-time collaboration
  • Permissions, history, diagrams, and AI
  • Good for company knowledge bases
  • More wiki-oriented than personal PKM
  • Enterprise features use separate licensing
  • Not a Markdown-vault replacement
View on GitHub
#9

Notesnook

End-to-end encrypted notes with self-hostable sync.

Notesnook is a GPL-3.0 privacy-focused note-taking application with end-to-end encryption, cross-platform clients, note linking, a web clipper, rich editing, offline support, and self-hostable synchronization.

GPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Open source under GPL-3.0 with self-hostable sync; hosted services may be available.

  • End-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge design
  • Desktop, web, mobile, offline, and web clipper
  • Self-hostable sync
  • Less focused on knowledge graphs
  • No Obsidian-style plugin ecosystem
  • Not plain-file oriented
View on GitHub
#10

Blinko

Self-hosted AI-powered notes and personal knowledge management.

Blinko is a GPL-3.0 self-hosted AI note-taking and PKM application combining quick capture, Markdown, linking, AI features, and a web interface.

GPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under GPL-3.0; self-hosted deployment is available.

  • Self-hosted Markdown and AI functionality
  • Knowledge linking
  • Strong data control
  • Younger project
  • Smaller ecosystem
  • Less extensible than Obsidian
View on GitHub
#11

Anytype

Local-first encrypted workspace for notes, databases, and graphs.

Anytype is a local-first encrypted workspace for notes, databases, tasks, wikis, graph relationships, and peer-to-peer synchronization. Its application source uses the Any Source Available License 1.0, which is source available rather than OSI-approved open source.

Any Source Available License 1.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Source available under Any Source Available License 1.0; commercial-use restrictions apply in some scenarios.

  • Local-first, encrypted, and offline
  • Graph relationships, databases, templates, and peer-to-peer sync
  • Desktop and mobile apps
  • Not OSI-approved open source
  • More restrictive licensing
  • Structured objects rather than plain Markdown files
View on GitHub
#12

SilverBullet

Programmable self-hosted Markdown knowledge base.

SilverBullet is an MIT-licensed self-hosted Markdown knowledge base with bidirectional links, structured metadata, queries, tasks, and Lua scripting.

MITSelf-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under MIT; self-hosting is required for multi-device access.

  • Plain Markdown and strong portability
  • Backlinks, queries, tasks, and scripting
  • Lightweight self-hosting
  • More technical than Obsidian
  • Smaller ecosystem
  • Requires self-hosting for multi-device access
View on GitHub
#13

Standard Notes

Encrypted cross-platform notes with durable data ownership.

Standard Notes is an AGPL-3.0 encrypted note-taking application focused on privacy, longevity, secure synchronization, offline access, and a self-hosted server option.

AGPL-3.0 appSelf-hosted

Pricing: Open-source main app with self-hosting; some advanced hosted features require a subscription.

  • End-to-end encryption and offline access
  • Cross-platform and self-hostable
  • Strong privacy and long-term data portability
  • Less focused on backlinks and graphs
  • Some hosted features are paid
  • Less flexible than Obsidian for plugins
View on GitHub
#14

XWiki

Mature open-source enterprise wiki and knowledge base.

XWiki is an LGPL-2.1-or-later enterprise knowledge platform for documentation, intranets, structured knowledge bases, permissions, workflows, extensions, and custom collaborative applications.

LGPL-2.1-or-laterSelf-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under LGPL-2.1-or-later; self-hosted deployment is available.

  • Mature, self-hosted, structured, and highly customizable
  • Advanced permissions and collaboration
  • Large extension ecosystem
  • Much heavier than Obsidian
  • Primarily designed for organizations
  • Not a local-first personal notes app
View on GitHub
#15

Beaver Notes

Offline-first private notes with local storage and Markdown.

Beaver Notes is an MIT-licensed offline-first note-taking application with local storage, Markdown, note linking, attachments, drawings, LaTeX, and user-controlled synchronization.

MIT

Pricing: Free and open source under MIT with local-first use and optional user-controlled synchronization.

  • Offline-first local storage
  • No mandatory account or telemetry
  • Markdown, links, attachments, drawings, and LaTeX
  • Smaller ecosystem
  • Limited advanced PKM functionality
  • No large plugin marketplace
View on GitHub
#16

Darkwrite

Privacy-focused offline note editor for desktop platforms.

Darkwrite is an AGPL-3.0 offline-first note editor focused on local writing, formatting, lists, images, customization, and export across desktop platforms.

AGPL-3.0

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0 with a local-first workflow.

  • Offline-first and local data
  • Cross-platform and customizable
  • Simple open-source editing
  • Much simpler than Obsidian
  • Limited backlinks and graph functionality
  • Small ecosystem
View on GitHub
#17

Orgnise

Open-source project and task management workspace.

Orgnise is an AGPL-3.0 project and task management platform with collaboration and workflow features. It is an adjacent option for organizing information and projects rather than a direct personal knowledge-management replacement.

AGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project activity and deployment options.

  • Task management and collaboration
  • Workflow organization
  • Open-source codebase
  • Not a direct Obsidian replacement
  • Project-focused rather than PKM-focused
  • More limited development activity
View on GitHub
#18

OpenNotas

Cross-platform private notes with offline use and encryption.

OpenNotas is a cross-platform note-taking application focused on simplicity, offline usage, synchronization, and end-to-end encryption. Its license status should be checked before treating it as genuinely open source.

Not clearly identified

Pricing: License unverified; confirm the repository terms before production or commercial use.

  • Offline functionality
  • End-to-end encryption and synchronization
  • Cross-platform privacy-focused workflow
  • License needs clearer verification
  • Small community
  • Limited PKM functionality and ecosystem
View on GitHub
#19

Justnote

Simple privacy-oriented notes with encrypted synchronization.

Justnote is a GPL-2.0 private note-taking application with synchronization and end-to-end encrypted data, focused on simple cross-device notes rather than complex personal knowledge management.

GPL-2.0

Pricing: Free and open source under GPL-2.0; verify current project availability.

  • Privacy-focused encrypted synchronization
  • Cross-device access
  • Simple open-source interface
  • Small project
  • Limited PKM functionality
  • No Obsidian-style graph or plugin ecosystem
View on GitHub

Compare Obsidian alternatives

ToolStarsLicenseSelf-hostedPricing
AppFlowy71.4KAGPL-3.0YesFree and open source; hosted sync and commercial services may be available.
Macro Docs—AGPL-3.0YesOpen source and self-hostable; hosted services may be offered separately.
Memos—MITYesFree and open source under MIT; self-hosted deployment is available.
Joplin—AGPL-3.0-or-laterYesFree and open source; optional hosted synchronization is available.
SiYuan—AGPL-3.0YesFree and open source under AGPL-3.0; some cloud functionality may be commercial.
Logseq—AGPL-3.0NoFree and open source under AGPL-3.0 with a local-first workflow.
Tolaria—AGPL-3.0NoFree and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project hosting and deployment options.
Docmost—AGPL-3.0 coreYesOpen-source core is self-hostable; enterprise features use separate licensing.
Notesnook—GPL-3.0YesOpen source under GPL-3.0 with self-hostable sync; hosted services may be available.
Blinko—GPL-3.0YesFree and open source under GPL-3.0; self-hosted deployment is available.
Anytype—Any Source Available License 1.0YesSource available under Any Source Available License 1.0; commercial-use restrictions apply in some scenarios.
SilverBullet—MITYesFree and open source under MIT; self-hosting is required for multi-device access.
Standard Notes—AGPL-3.0 appYesOpen-source main app with self-hosting; some advanced hosted features require a subscription.
XWiki—LGPL-2.1-or-laterYesFree and open source under LGPL-2.1-or-later; self-hosted deployment is available.
Beaver Notes—MITNoFree and open source under MIT with local-first use and optional user-controlled synchronization.
Darkwrite—AGPL-3.0NoFree and open source under AGPL-3.0 with a local-first workflow.
Orgnise—AGPL-3.0YesFree and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project activity and deployment options.
OpenNotas—Not clearly identifiedNoLicense unverified; confirm the repository terms before production or commercial use.
Justnote—GPL-2.0NoFree and open source under GPL-2.0; verify current project availability.

Which one should you choose?

Want the closest open-source alternative to Obsidian

Logseq, SiYuan, SilverBullet, and Tolaria are focused on interconnected personal knowledge management with local-first or Markdown-oriented workflows.

Logseq

Want plain Markdown files

Tolaria puts portable Markdown files, YAML metadata, Wikilinks, and Git version control at the center of the workflow.

Tolaria

Want backlinks and a knowledge graph

Logseq and SiYuan provide strong graph, backlink, block-reference, and connected-note workflows.

Logseq

Want maximum privacy

Notesnook and Standard Notes emphasize end-to-end encryption, while Anytype takes a deeply local-first encrypted approach but is source available.

Notesnook

Want a self-hosted knowledge base

SilverBullet is a lightweight programmable Markdown knowledge base; Docmost and XWiki are better suited to collaborative or organizational knowledge.

SilverBullet

Want AI built into your notes

Blinko focuses on AI-powered personal knowledge management, while Macro combines AI agents with collaborative documents.

Blinko

Want something simple

Memos provides quick Markdown notes without the plugin, graph, and configuration overhead of a full PKM platform.

Memos
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