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Obsidian alternatives: 10 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Obsidian: official sync is a paid add-on, and real-time collaboration is limited. We ranked 10 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Obsidian, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Logseq currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Logseq logoLogseqOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +21 of 376.8
2Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 372.8
3Anytype logoAnytypeFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 370.9
4Notion logoNotionFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 354.8
5SiYuan logoSiYuanOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +44 of 440.0
6Zettlr logoZettlrOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 440.0
7SilverBullet logoSilverBulletOpen sourceYesWeb, macOS, Windows +24 of 440.0
8Khoj logoKhojOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 438.6
  1. Logseq logo

    1. LogseqTop pick

    Best for: Outliner thinkers who want local, open-source notes with backlinks

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    76.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Also local Markdown files and free, with an outliner instead of documents.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Local Markdown or Org files
    • Strong backlinks and block references

    Cons

    • Outliner-only structure isn't for everyone
    • Mobile apps feel less polished
    Visit Logseq Compare with ObsidianDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Logseq a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown/Org files
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Joplin logo

    2. Joplin

    Best for: Leaving Evernote for an open-source app with encrypted sync

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    72.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Open source with built-in encrypted sync options at no cost.

    Pros

    • Open source with end-to-end encryption
    • Sync with your own storage
    • Imports Evernote exports

    Cons

    • Interface is plainer than commercial apps
    • Collaboration features are basic
    Visit Joplin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Joplin a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Anytype logo

    3. Anytype

    Best for: A private, offline-capable alternative to Notion

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    70.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Local-first and encrypted, with database-style objects built in.

    Pros

    • Local-first with end-to-end encryption
    • Notion-like objects and views
    • Works offline

    Cons

    • Source-available, not OSI open source
    • Smaller template and integration ecosystem
    Visit Anytype Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Anytype a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Encryption
    End-to-end
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Local-first
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes
    Not checked yetanytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Notion logo

    4. Notion

    Best for: Teams that want docs, wikis and simple databases in one place

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    54.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Better for team collaboration and databases, at the cost of local files.

    Pros

    • Flexible blocks and databases
    • Large template gallery
    • Strong sharing and permissions

    Cons

    • Needs an internet connection for most work
    • Large workspaces can feel slow
    Visit Notion Compare with ObsidianDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Notion a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    No
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. SiYuan logo

    5. SiYuan

    Best for: People who want block-level linking and databases with local data they control

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Local-first and open source, with Notion-style blocks and databases built in.

    Pros

    • Block references and embeds at any level
    • Databases with relations and rollups
    • Local-first, with Docker self-hosting
    • End-to-end encrypted sync option

    Cons

    • Official cloud sync needs a paid membership
    • English docs and community are thinner
    • Busy interface with many settings
    Visit SiYuan Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SiYuan a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Local-first
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026b3log.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes, for sync
    Checked Oct 25, 2026b3log.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Databases
    Yes, with relations and rollups
    Checked Oct 25, 2026b3log.org(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Zettlr logo

    6. Zettlr

    Best for: Academics and writers who want Markdown notes with citations and Pandoc export

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Open-source Markdown editor with built-in citations for academic writing.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Citations from Zotero, JabRef or Juris-M
    • Pandoc export to Word, PDF and LaTeX
    • Plain Markdown files on your disk

    Cons

    • No mobile apps
    • No built-in sync
    • Less suited to quick capture
    Visit Zettlr Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zettlr a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Funding
    Donations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Reference managers
    Zotero, JabRef, Juris-M
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
  7. SilverBullet logo

    7. SilverBullet

    Best for: Developers who want a self-hosted, programmable Markdown wiki

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Self-hosted Markdown knowledge base you can reach from any browser.

    Pros

    • Plain Markdown files you own
    • Scriptable with Lua and queries
    • Single-container self-hosting
    • Works offline in the browser

    Cons

    • Self-hosting takes some technical skill
    • No native mobile apps
    • Smaller community than Obsidian
    Visit SilverBullet Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SilverBullet a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Server and CLI
    Checked Oct 25, 2026silverbullet.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Single container
    Checked Oct 25, 2026silverbullet.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026silverbullet.md(opens source in a new tab)
  8. Khoj logo

    8. Khoj

    Best for: Note-takers in Obsidian or Emacs who want an AI that knows their own files

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Obsidian

    Adds an open-source AI that chats with your Obsidian vault and other documents.

    Pros

    • Works with your notes and documents
    • Clients for Obsidian, Emacs, desktop, web and WhatsApp
    • Self-hostable and open source

    Cons

    • Team's focus has shifted to newer products
    • Self-hosting takes some setup
    • Smaller community than the big local-AI apps
    Visit Khoj Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Khoj a good Obsidian alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.khoj.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    File types
    PDF, Markdown, org-mode, Notion
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.khoj.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Clients
    Emacs, Obsidian, desktop, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.khoj.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes, on consumer hardware
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.khoj.dev(opens source in a new tab)

The best Obsidian alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Logseq logo

Best Obsidian alternative for most people

Logseq

Also local Markdown files and free, with an outliner instead of documents.

Joplin logo

Best Obsidian alternative for a free option

Joplin

Open source with built-in encrypted sync options at no cost.

Anytype logo

Best Obsidian alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Anytype

Local-first and encrypted, with database-style objects built in.

Reflect logo

Best Obsidian alternative for open source

Reflect

A simpler, open-source daily-notes app that also stores notes as local Markdown.

SiYuan logo

Best Obsidian alternative for self-hosting

SiYuan

Local-first and open source, with Notion-style blocks and databases built in.

Notion logo

Best Obsidian alternative for Mac

Notion

Better for team collaboration and databases, at the cost of local files.

Zettlr logo

Best Obsidian alternative for Windows

Zettlr

Open-source Markdown editor with built-in citations for academic writing.

SilverBullet logo

Best Obsidian alternative for Linux

SilverBullet

Self-hosted Markdown knowledge base you can reach from any browser.

Logseq logo

Best Obsidian alternative for iPhone and Android

Logseq

Also local Markdown files and free, with an outliner instead of documents.

Khoj logo

Best Obsidian alternative for working in the browser

Khoj

Adds an open-source AI that chats with your Obsidian vault and other documents.

Obsidian alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Obsidian?

Logseq ranks first right now. Also local Markdown files and free, with an outliner instead of documents. Joplin and Anytype follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Obsidian?

Yes. Logseq (open source), Joplin (open source), Anytype (free plan + paid) and Notion (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Obsidian?

Yes: Logseq, Joplin, Reflect and SiYuan, plus 3 more in the list above. Joplin, SiYuan and SilverBullet can also be self-hosted.

Which Obsidian alternatives work on Linux?

Logseq, Joplin, Anytype, SiYuan and Zettlr run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Obsidian?

The complaints we hear most: official sync is a paid add-on; real-time collaboration is limited.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Obsidian, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.