The Best Open Source Obsidian AlternativesTop Note-taking & Task Management Tools like Obsidian

The best open source alternative to Obsidian is Logseq. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Obsidian and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Obsidian are Zettlr, Joplin, Notesnook and Standard Notes.

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Obsidian alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Open Source and Android + Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Obsidian.
Obsidian iconObsidian
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Obsidian is a note-taking app that lets you create a personal knowledge graph with ease. It is designed for non-linear thinking and allows you to easily link your notes together wiki-style.

More about Obsidian
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Obsidian alternatives page was last updated May 13, 2025
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  1. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     287 likes
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    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    134 Logseq alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Bidirectional links
    2.  Graph view
    3.  Local Storage
    4.  Outliner
    5.  Backlinks
    6.  Knowledge base
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Knowledge Management
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Note organization
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Full-Text Search

    Logseq VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Logseq as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Comment summary: Logseq offers a different note-taking experience than Obsidian, with a focus on journaling connections and graph visualizations. Users appreciate Logseq being free, open-source, and suitable for offline use, but some criticize its limited file management and bugs. While Obsidian is praised for stability across platforms and effective sync features, Logseq is noted for being a strong personal knowledge management solution and a valuable FOSS alternative.
    Top Positive Comment
    jchalifour
    Feb 17, 2021
    9

    Logseq is incredibly innovative and it respects my privacy and freedom by providing Free and open source software as opposed to proprietary tools.

    Top Negative Comment
    Power User
    Oct 2, 2023
    1

    I found Obsidian to be a far more stable application than Logseq, which is important as I am switching platforms frequently and need something which functions properly and reliably on Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, and Linux. I decided to pay for Obsidian's sync feature and it has been smooth as butter - probably using a cloud drive would have worked well, but I find that convenience at a reasonable cost for an application I use daily is perfectly acceptable.

    Most Recent Comment
    Farrukh
    Negative Aug 11, 2024
    -7

    LogSeq is not giving you as Freedom as you may find in Obsidian and Joplin. It is mostly bounded to connecting your notes to a Journal, while in others, you have to freedom to create your notes, journals, etc. independent of each other, in any structure you may like.

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    3 of 12 comments
    Obsidian Icon
    Logseq icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Logseq is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Logseq is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Obsidian.

    • Logseq is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Obsidian.

    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     226 likes
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    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    161 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Comment summary: Zettlr is recognized as a strong open-source alternative to Obsidian, appreciated for its simplicity and open-source nature. It offers many beneficial features like backlinking, although some users miss Obsidian's community plugins and graph visualization. While it's not considered a complete replacement for Obsidian, Zettlr's straightforward design is praised. However, some critics find it basic and not competitive enough against Obsidian's advanced capabilities.
    Top Positive Comment
    Sam Lander
    Jan 15, 2024
    3

    There are better open-source alternatives, like Zim Wiki or Joplin.

    Top Negative Comment
    Hibiscus
    Jul 27, 2022
    6

    Very basic application. In no way a competition for Obsidian.

    Most Recent Comment
    Ted Curran
    Positive Feb 12, 2025
    1

    Zettler is the same type of app as Obsidian, with PKM features, graph view, and robust MD editing. Not quite as refined but nearly as powerful, it's the best free alternative.

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    3 of 9 comments
    Obsidian Icon
    Zettlr icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Zettlr is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zettlr is Privacy focusedObsidian is not according to our users
  4. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     827 likes
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    Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

    80 Joplin alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Desktop and mobile apps

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Web Clipper
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Local Storage
    7.  File Sync
    8.  Tagging
    9.  Ad-free
    10. Android icon  Android Sync
    11.  Encrypted Notes
    12.  WebDAV Support

    Joplin VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Comment summary: Joplin and Obsidian differ significantly in features and setup. Joplin, preferred for its offline capability, open source nature, and cost-free access, is compared more to Evernote than Obsidian. Whereas Joplin focuses on mobile-desktop syncing and hierarchical note-taking, Obsidian offers a graph-based organization and aims to be a powerful desktop knowledge base. Some comments criticize Obsidian for paywalls on basic features.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Feb 28, 2023
    1

    It's open source, allows crypto your md notes on some cloud storage

    Top Negative Comment
    andgregorik
    Oct 31, 2020
    22

    Joplin has a fracture of the features of Obsidian which is no wonder since Obsidian aims to become a powerful desktop knowledge base, unlike Joplin. For one thing, Joplin focuses on mobile<->desktop syncing and not on effective internal linking. They're similar at first glance only.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive May 7, 2025
    0

    embedded synchronization, clipper, encryption. No useless for personal notes graphs

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    3 of 13 comments
    Obsidian Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focusedObsidian is not according to our users
  5. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     144 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    262 Notesnook alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • PK flagPakistan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  Private notes
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Note organization
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Web Clipper
    12.  Reminders

    Notesnook VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Notesnook as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Most Recent Comment
    jchalifour
    Positive Jun 7, 2023
    2

    Notesnook respects its users by providing the software as open source, Obsidian does not.

    Soup
    Positive Jan 4, 2025
    0

    It's very good for taking notes, however there's no "graph" layout like obsidian does. Maybe in the future it will get that feature.

    mohamedmhagag
    Positive Nov 15, 2024
    0

    Nice, Polished UI and experience Love it

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    3 of 4 comments
    Obsidian Icon
    Notesnook icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Notesnook is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedObsidian is not according to our users
  6. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     655 likes
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    Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.

    91 Standard Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Security-focused
    4.  Minimalistic
    5.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Encrypted Notes
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  AES Encryption
    9.  Sync on many devices
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Mobile friendly
    12.  Client side encryption

    Standard Notes VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Most Recent Comment
    Aaron
    Negative Oct 23, 2022
    9

    Note-linking is a subscription only feature

    hex111
    Positive Oct 7, 2021
    4

    i feel better paying for open source user friendlier projects, wysiwyg is just necessary for people to reasonably shift from the data robbery monopolies.

    Sam Lander
    May 13, 2025
    0

    Standard Notes is not really an alternative to Obsidian. Standard Notes is open-source, more secure/private, and more simple.

    Standard Notes can be used across multiple devices and syncs.

    Obsidian telephones home constantly, even if you turn off updates and community plugins. But Obsidian is a very beautiful markdown app, that does more than just note-taking or to-do lists like Standard Notes.

    Obsidian Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Most users think Standard Notes is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused and Security-focusedObsidian is not according to our users
  7. AppFlowy icon

    AppFlowy

     165 likes
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    AppFlowy is an open source alternative to Notion. You are in charge of your data and customizations.

    72 AppFlowy alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Kanban Board
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Cloud Sync
    8.  WYSIWYG Support
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Notebook
    11.  Wiki
    12.  Portable

    AppFlowy VS Obsidian

     
  9. Zim icon

    Zim

     500 likes
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    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    299 Zim alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Plain text file
    3.  Wiki-like interface
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Cross-Platform
    6.  Note organization
    7.  WYSIWYG Support
    8.  Outliner
    9.  Text formatting
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Notebook

    Zim VS Obsidian

     
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Obsidian
    Most Recent Comment
    Sam Lander
    Positive Apr 2, 2024
    1

    Zim has all of the same basic features as Obsidian, but it uses far less system resources. Both allow you to download and write plugins, such as advanced pasting (to fix carriage returns when copying pdf text). Both are themable.

    Additionally, it's open-source, unlike Obsidian.

    andgregorik
    Negative Oct 31, 2020
    5

    Zim was a pioneer that's now considered an oldtimer, while Obsidian takes much of its features and brings it into 2020+. Obsidian is more "wiki" than Zim, but it uses a different terminology. I've completely migrated from Zim (and CherryTree) to Obsidian.

    gorgonzolla
    Positive Jun 25, 2024
    1

    I've used ZIM for years. It is all offline on Linux, Mac and Windows, and is therefore much faster than online platforms. Used with Dropbox etc it can sync between your devices, but if you need IOS or Android access look elsewhere.

    Obsidian Icon
    Zim icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Zim is a great Obsidian alternative.

    • Zim is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zim is LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
7 of 59 Obsidian alternatives