Self-Hosted Obsidian Alternatives

Obsidian is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are plenty of alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best Self-Hosted alternative is Logseq, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Obsidian and many of them are available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted alternatives to Obsidian are Joplin, Anytype, Notesnook and Standard Notes.

filter to find the best alternatives

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 Open Source, Self-Hosted, Free + Ad-free + No Tracking + Privacy focused, Android + Open Source, Windows, Linux and Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Obsidian.
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Alternatives list

  1. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     355 likes

    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.

    245 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
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    16
    Logseq vs Obsidian Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    jchalifour
    10

    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
    3

    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.

    Dash
    Negative
    0

    Obsidian works with your own files and file structure and uses interoperable markdown (pandoc, zettlr, Quarto, other Tools). Logseq uses an SQL-Database and an incompatible Outlier-Markdown-Dialect.

    3 of 16 comments
    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Logseq is Decentralized, Customizable and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     940 likes

    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.

    202 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Joplin screenshot 1
     
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    13
    Joplin vs Obsidian Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    1

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

    Top Negative Comment
    andgregorik
    24

    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.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

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

    3 of 13 comments
    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Lightweight, Minimalistic and DecentralizedObsidian is not according to our users
  4. Anytype icon

    Anytype

     308 likes

    Manage notes, tasks, and projects offline with Markdown support. Enjoy encrypted storage, P2P syncing, and powerful dynamic collections across all devices, while allowing redistribution and modification for non-commercial uses.

    222 Anytype alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Docker
    • Self-Hosted
    Movie Database
     
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    4
    Anytype vs Obsidian Comments
    jchalifour
    Positive
    1

    It provides a lot of flexibility to organize and arrange information in ways that aren't possible in Obsidian (at least not without many plugins). Its developers commit to open code, respecting their users' rights.

    smisheduprog
    Positive
    3

    Not Open Source, Anytype is Open Code. Huge difference.

    Duplicake
    Positive
    0

    It's really good but the sync server is a bit hard to self host

    3 of 4 comments
    • Anytype is Freemium and ProprietaryObsidian is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Anytype is Decentralized and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
  5. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     212 likes

    Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

    383 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Self-Hosted
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Notesnook vs Obsidian Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    jchalifour
    2

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

    edwardixon
    Positive
    0

    Cheapest sync! Greatest mobile apps! App notes you actually want to use Easy text formatting. Simple to use. Simple, good notes experience

    Soup
    Positive
    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.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
  7. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     707 likes

    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    204 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Plain text note on free version.
     
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    3
    Standard Notes vs Obsidian Comments
    Aaron
    Negative
    9

    Note-linking is a subscription only feature

    hex111
    Positive
    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
    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.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Minimalistic, Security-focused and CustomizableObsidian is not according to our users
  8. AppFlowy icon

    AppFlowy

     212 likes

    Open-source workspace offering complete data control, deep customization via themes, plugins, and templates, native multi-platform support using Flutter and Rust, offline access, privacy features, collaborative tools, and easy extensibility for all users.

    146 AppFlowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
     
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    2
    AppFlowy vs Obsidian Comments
    as dll
    Negative
    0

    appflowy is not designed to be a note taking / PKM app

    Alstroemeria
    Negative
    0

    One's a work-flow manager, another is a note-taking app

    • AppFlowy is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • AppFlowy is Lightweight and CustomizableObsidian is not according to our users
  9. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     126 likes

    The original trilium is transfered to this repo by its owner and the app continues to develop here as stated here: https://github.com/TriliumNext/Trilium

    426 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Trilium Notes vs Obsidian Comments
    Farrukh
    1

    This is a very good candidate to be the Obsidian alternate. However, it has a steep learning curve.

    • Trilium Notes is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Trilium Notes is Customizable and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
  10. CryptPad icon

    CryptPad

     191 likes

    CryptPad is a private-by-design alternative to popular office tools and cloud services. All the content stored on CryptPad is encrypted before being sent, which means nobody can access your data unless you give them the keys.

    117 CryptPad alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Instance homepage
     
  11. AFFiNE icon

    AFFiNE

     124 likes

    Open-source, privacy-focused workspace combining note-taking, project and task management, Kanban board, interactive whiteboard, Pomodoro timer, Markdown support, offline access, real-time team collaboration with @mentions, goal tracking, subtasks, and customizable features.

    204 AFFiNE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    AFFiNE screenshot 1
     
  12. SiYuan icon

    SiYuan

     83 likes

    SiYuan is a desktop Markdown Block-Reference and Bidirectional-Link note-taking application. Support fine-grained block-level reference and Markdown WYSIWYG.

    118 SiYuan alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    • F-Droid
    SiYuan screenshot 1
     
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    4
    SiYuan vs Obsidian Comments
    Mark
    Positive
    3

    I honestly think SiYuan is the closest to Obisdian as an alternative compared to all other apps.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    WYSIWYG is far more important than I thought. Besides, the data in SiYuan is .json, which allows better redering-performance and Notion-like typesetting.

    Randir
    Positive
    0

    WYSIWYG, better rendering performance

    3 of 4 comments
    • SiYuan is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • SiYuan is Customizable and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
  13. Docmost icon

    Docmost

     52 likes

    Open-source wiki and documentation solution offering real-time collaborative editing, robust permissions, group management, spaces for organizing content, inline commenting, full-page history, advanced full-text search, nested pages, attachments, and flexible storage.

    139 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Cloudron
    Docmost screenshot 1
     
  14. Foam icon

    Foam

     55 likes

    Foam is a personal knowledge management and sharing system inspired by Roam Research, built on Visual Studio Code and GitHub.

    269 Foam alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Visual Studio Code
    Foam screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Foam vs Obsidian Comments
    Benjamin Lupton
    Positive
    2

    Org mode came first (open standard), then Roam (open standard), then Obisdian (propretiary app on the open standard). So anything built on Roam is a good Obsidian alternative.

    • Foam is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Foam is LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
12 of 34 Obsidian alternatives