Obsidian AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Todo List Managers

The best Todo List Manager alternative to Obsidian is Joplin, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Obsidian and loads of them are Todo List Managers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Todo List Manager alternatives to Obsidian are Anytype, Notion, Standard Notes and Trilium Notes.

filter to find the best alternatives

Obsidian alternatives are mainly Todo List Managers, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free + Ad-free + No Tracking + Privacy focused, Android + Open Source, Self-Hosted, Windows, Linux + Open Source and Note-taking. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Obsidian.

More about Obsidian

Get a badge for your siteObsidian alternatives page was last updated May 10, 2026

Official Partner
PrivacyNotes
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Workspace with end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge security, rich notes, private journal, encrypted file storage, password management, cross-platform browser access, open-source cryptography, optional Pro features, and no recurring subscription fees.
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Google Chrome
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- United States
More about PrivacyNotes Visit website
Joplin
944 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.
222 Joplin alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
France
EU
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
France
EU
+7
Good alternative?Is Joplin a good alternative to Obsidian?

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13comments
Joplin vs Obsidian Comments
Top Positive Comment by Guest · Feb 28, 2023
It's open source, allows crypto your md notes on some cloud storage
Top Negative Comment by andgregorik · Oct 31, 2020
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.
Positive comment by Guest · May 7, 2025
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
Anytype
312 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.
237 Anytype alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Source Available
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Flathub
Flatpak
Docker
Switzerland
+6
Good alternative?Is Anytype a good alternative to Obsidian?

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4comments
Anytype vs Obsidian Comments
Positive comment by jchalifour · May 21, 2024
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.
Positive comment by smisheduprog · Jan 11, 2025
Not Open Source, Anytype is Open Code. Huge difference.
Positive comment by Duplicake · Mar 8, 2025
It's really good but the sync server is a bit hard to self host
3 of 4 comments
Anytype is Freemium and Source AvailableObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
Anytype is Decentralized and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
Notion
681 likes
Enhance team collaboration and content organization with Notion. Experience real-time access, intuitive drag-and-drop functionalities, and visually simple interfaces designed for productivity in managing tasks, notes, and databases effectively. Ideal for teams of every size.
404 Notion alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Software as a Service (SaaS)
United States
+9
Good alternative?Is Notion a good alternative to Obsidian?

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8comments
Notion vs Obsidian Comments
Top Positive Comment by Gregor Zobjak · Aug 20, 2023
Notion is online only so I don't can access my note when I'm offline + very closed system with a proprietary file format
Top Negative Comment by passawitkaovilai · Mar 3, 2021
Because Notion is online only, it can have high latency when pulling databases of pages which Obsidian have no issues with.
Negative comment by begorim451 · Jan 5, 2025
notion requires account registrating, requires internet connection, not as much customizable as obsidian. however notion is easier to use and looks aesthetic
3 of 8 comments
Notion is Freemium and ProprietaryObsidian is also Freemium and Proprietary
Notion is CustomizableObsidian is not according to our users
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Standard Notes
709 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.
217 Standard Notes alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
United States
+1
Good alternative?Is Standard Notes a good alternative to Obsidian?

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3comments
Standard Notes vs Obsidian Comments
Negative comment by Aaron · Oct 23, 2022
Note-linking is a subscription only feature
Positive comment by hex111 · Oct 7, 2021
i feel better paying for open source user friendlier projects, wysiwyg is just necessary for people to reasonably shift from the data robbery monopolies.
Comment by Sam Lander · May 13, 2025
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.
3 of 3 comments
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
Trilium Notes
128 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
431 Trilium Notes alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Cloudron
Mozilla Firefox
+9
Good alternative?Is Trilium Notes a good alternative to Obsidian?

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1comment
Trilium Notes vs Obsidian Comments
Comment by Farrukh · Jul 6, 2025
This is a very good candidate to be the Obsidian alternate. However, it has a steep learning curve.
1 of 1 comments
Trilium Notes is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
Trilium Notes is Customizable and LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
Microsoft OneNote
1148 likes
Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.
233 Microsoft OneNote alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Android Wear
Kindle Fire
United States
+4
Good alternative?Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to Obsidian?

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2comments
Microsoft OneNote vs Obsidian Comments
Comment by Sam Lander · May 13, 2025
OneNote is an alternative, but it is even less private than Obsidian, less beautiful, and more resource-intensive.

So I am not sure why anyone would use it, other than being able to easily sync across devices.
Positive comment by student twenty · Dec 21, 2021
This is a weird one, because while the two are very different, OneNote and Obsidian do have very similar goals. If Obsidian doesn't work for you, OneNote offers another way to collect notes and thoughts. I personally can't stand it, and it doesn't have a Linux app, but it's really well made software with a long track record, and it's free. So, yeah - good alternative if you don't mind the privacy issues.
2 of 2 comments
Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryObsidian is also Freemium and Proprietary
AppFlowy
213 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.
152 AppFlowy alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
Singapore
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
Snapcraft
Rust
Flathub
Singapore
+2
Good alternative?Is AppFlowy a good alternative to Obsidian?

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2comments
AppFlowy vs Obsidian Comments
Negative comment by as dll · Mar 19, 2026
appflowy is not designed to be a note taking / PKM app
Negative comment by Alstroemeria · Feb 12, 2026
One's a work-flow manager, another is a note-taking app
2 of 2 comments
AppFlowy is Freemium and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
AppFlowy is Lightweight and CustomizableObsidian is not according to our users
Google Keep
851 likes
Google Keep is a multifunctional tool that merges note-taking with browsing, allowing capture of thoughts, checklists, or voice notes, with cross-device synchronization. Features include color-coded notes, voice transcription, geo-fencing, collaboration, cloud storage, and seamless Google integration.
175 Google Keep alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Google Chrome
Android Wear
United States
Good alternative?Is Google Keep a good alternative to Obsidian?

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6comments
Google Keep vs Obsidian Comments
Top Positive Comment by Hibiscus · Jul 27, 2022
Nothing in common with Obsidian.
Top Negative Comment by Power User · Oct 2, 2023
Simple note taking isn't the same as a purpose-built knowledge management tool at all. This isn't a jab at Google Keep which does an OK job for what it is, but it's not an alternative if you want what Obsidian offers.
Negative comment by Gregor Zobjak · Oct 24, 2022
Not an good note taking utility at all... Google Keep is only a digital version of Sticky notes but with the very big contra that Google can steal your personal information Overall you don't have any Organization... you didn't have folders or something that's similar... the only thing you have is a Taging system that is poor.
3 of 6 comments
Google Keep is Free and ProprietaryObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
Google Keep is LightweightObsidian is not according to our users
CherryTree
334 likes
Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.
151 CherryTree alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
PortableApps.com
Flatpak
+3
Good alternative?Is CherryTree a good alternative to Obsidian?

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2comments
CherryTree vs Obsidian Comments
Positive comment by student twenty · Dec 21, 2021
Kind of the same thing? More of a hierarchical note taker, but it runs locally, is super stable, and keeps you organized, so if you don't need all the bells and whistles, this'll get the job done.
Comment by Farrukh · Jul 6, 2025
Its not an alternate to Obsidian which is mainly giving you advanced Markdown format, while CherryTree his simply its own format.
However, its an awesome notes taking software. I really like its Tree structured interface for arranging your notes.
2 of 2 comments
CherryTree is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
CherryTree is CustomizableObsidian is not according to our users
Simplenote
612 likes
Cloud-based, open-source note-taking app supporting plain text notes, lists, and ideas with real-time sync, multi-device support, version history, markdown, tagging, collaborative editing, no ads, and free registration required for all cloud features.
192 Simplenote alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-2.0)
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
United States
+3
Good alternative?Is Simplenote a good alternative to Obsidian?

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6comments
Discontinued
Automattic ends Simplenote active development, only basic maintenance continues
Simplenote vs Obsidian Comments
Top Positive Comment by Mayank-Arora · Mar 6, 2023
Simplenote is love. You must try it once. I have SimpleNote installed on my Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iPad. It works on all browsers and all operating systems. It is so easy to take notes and have them sync across all devices and web. It is so easy to quickly get to your notes. I can't live without simplenote as I have so much dependency on this simple tool. Simplenote really makes it simpler to organize 'note taking' task.
Top Negative Comment by Niminae · Jan 31, 2023
The most prominent feature of Obsidian is bi-directional linking between notes. Simplenote is more akin to sticky notes; they aren't really similar at all.
Negative comment by Guest · Jan 21, 2026
Its too simple and is focused on simplicity unlike obsiidian
3 of 6 comments
Simplenote is Free and Open SourceObsidian is Freemium and Proprietary
Simplenote is Lightweight and MinimalisticObsidian is not according to our users
AFFiNE
125 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.
211 AFFiNE alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
Singapore
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
Singapore
+3
Good alternative?Is AFFiNE a good alternative to Obsidian?
SiYuan
85 likes
SiYuan is a desktop Markdown Block-Reference and Bidirectional-Link note-taking application. Support fine-grained block-level reference and Markdown WYSIWYG.
124 SiYuan alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
China
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Flathub
Docker
Docker Hub
F-Droid
China
+3
Good alternative?Is SiYuan a good alternative to Obsidian?

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4comments
SiYuan vs Obsidian Comments
Positive comment by Mark · Nov 29, 2022
I honestly think SiYuan is the closest to Obisdian as an alternative compared to all other apps.
Positive comment by Guest · Sep 4, 2021
WYSIWYG is far more important than I thought. Besides, the data in SiYuan is .json, which allows better redering-performance and Notion-like typesetting.
Positive comment by Randir · Feb 9, 2022
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

12 of 68 Obsidian alternatives

Obsidian AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Todo List Managers

Alternatives list

PrivacyNotes

Joplin

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Joplin vs Obsidian Comments

Anytype

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Anytype vs Obsidian Comments

Notion

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Notion vs Obsidian Comments

Standard Notes

Cost / License

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Standard Notes vs Obsidian Comments

Trilium Notes

Cost / License

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Trilium Notes vs Obsidian Comments

Microsoft OneNote

Cost / License

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Microsoft OneNote vs Obsidian Comments

AppFlowy

Cost / License

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AppFlowy vs Obsidian Comments

Google Keep

Cost / License

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Google Keep vs Obsidian Comments

CherryTree

Cost / License

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CherryTree vs Obsidian Comments

Simplenote

Cost / License

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Origin

Alerts

Platforms

Simplenote vs Obsidian Comments

AFFiNE

Cost / License

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SiYuan

Cost / License

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SiYuan vs Obsidian Comments