14 Open Source Alternatives to Obsidian

A list of 14 carefully selected open-source alternatives to Obsidian.

Adrian
Created by
Adrian
Mar 9, 2025Updated14 min read

The open-source alternatives are ranked based on our custom ranking system and score. This system takes into account various factors to determine the best alternatives.

If you’re looking for alternative features or workflows, here is a prepared detailed list of Obsidian open-source alternatives — each with its own distinctive strengths and key features.

#1
Joplin logo

Joplin

48,083
5,227

Joplin is an open source note-taking app designed with a focus on privacy and seamless synchronization across all devices. It empowers users to capture multimedia notes and collaborate securely while ensuring full control over their data.

Joplin screenshot

Key Features

  • Privacy-focused with end-to-end encryption
  • Supports text, images, videos, PDFs, and audio
  • Multi-device synchronization including cloud services
  • Web clipper for saving web pages and screenshots
  • Customizable with plugins, themes, and markdown support
  • Collaboration tools including note sharing and notebook collaboration

Joplin offers a comprehensive note-taking solution that supports multimedia content, mathematical expressions, and diagrams. With synchronization options via Joplin Cloud and other services, users can access and update their notes from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or even a terminal application. Its built-in end-to-end encryption ensures that your data remains private while enabling features like web clipping, custom plugins, and collaborative note sharing.

#2
Notesnook logo

Notesnook

11,327
712

Notesnook is an open source and end-to-end encrypted note-taking app designed for privacy-conscious users. It offers a secure, private, and flexible platform for writing and organizing notes, making it an ideal alternative to traditional tools like Evernote.

Notesnook screenshot

Key Features

  • End-to-end encryption for complete data privacy
  • Real-time sync across all devices
  • Rich text editor with Markdown, tables, and code blocks
  • Built-in web clipper for saving online content
  • Bidirectional note linking for organized idea management
  • Secure note vault with app lock and hardware key support

Notesnook delivers a fully encrypted note-taking experience that protects your data from the moment it leaves your device. The app supports real-time sync across desktop, mobile, and web clients, and features a rich text editor with Markdown, tables, and code blocks. It also includes advanced tools like a web clipper, bidirectional note linking, and a secure note vault with app lock options, all built with modern encryption protocols such as XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2.

#3
AppFlowy logo

AppFlowy

61,207
4,087

AppFlowy is the leading open source Notion alternative that brings projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. It offers an intuitive collaborative workspace that lets you manage projects and data securely, without compromising control.

AppFlowy screenshot

Key Features

  • AI assistance for writing, brainstorming, and actionable insights
  • Custom views, intuitive content blocks, and theme customization
  • Offline mode and self-hosting for robust data privacy
  • Mobile apps for seamless work on any device
  • Vibrant community support and extensive plugin ecosystem

AppFlowy is an AI-powered collaborative workspace designed to enhance productivity through seamless project management, note-taking, and task organization. It features customizable content blocks, offline mode functionality, and self-hosting options, ensuring privacy and control over your data. With mobile apps and a vibrant community, AppFlowy caters to both individuals and teams seeking flexible and efficient work solutions.

#4
Logseq logo

Logseq

35,351
2,082

Logseq is a privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration. It enables users to capture, structure, and review notes with ease while keeping data securely on local devices. Ideal for knowledge workers, students, writers, and developers, Logseq fosters clarity and workflow efficiency.

Logseq screenshot

Key Features

  • Privacy-first and open-source architecture
  • Local data ownership with encrypted file syncing (BETA)
  • Seamless note connection with block references and queries
  • Supports task management, PDF annotations, flashcards, and whiteboards
  • Mobile apps and markdown integration for flexible note-taking
  • Extensible with 150+ plugins and 30+ themes

Logseq empowers you to manage daily notes, tasks, and meetings using linked references, queries, and search features that transform scattered information into a coherent network. It supports a variety of workflows including PDF annotations, flashcards, and whiteboards, all within an intuitive, markdown-friendly interface. Enjoy robust community support, multiple plugins and themes, and mobile apps for both iOS and Android to extend its capabilities.

#5
XWiki logo

XWiki

1,050
559

XWiki is an open source platform that transforms how organizations manage and share knowledge. It offers structured, collaborative tools that empower teams to work efficiently and securely.

XWiki screenshot

Key Features

  • Structured Wiki for organized knowledge management
  • Collaborative culture tools that foster teamwork
  • Standard solutions and customizable apps
  • Proven reliability with over 800 teams worldwide
  • Trusted by global enterprises like Amazon and SNCF

XWiki organizes your company’s knowledge with its innovative Structured Wiki approach. The platform offers a suite of standard solutions like XWiki Standard, Business Apps & Connectors, and XWiki Cloud, as well as custom solutions tailored to specific organizational needs. Backed by 20 years of experience, XWiki enables fast, user-friendly information sharing and collaboration, reducing time wastage and enhancing operational efficiency for teams across various industries.

Orgnise is an all-in-one knowledge, document, and project management system designed to streamline your workflows. It brings together teams, workspaces, and rich content creation tools in one centralized hub for efficient collaboration.

Orgnise screenshot

Key Features

  • Unified platform for teams, workspaces, and collections
  • Notion-style WYSIWYG editor for rich content creation
  • Board view for visual workflow management
  • Easy team member invitations and collaboration
  • Streamlined document and project management

Orgnise consolidates your team’s knowledge, projects, and collaboration efforts into a single platform. With features such as structured workspaces, organized collections, a Notion-style rich text editor, and intuitive board views, it simplifies managing data and visualizing workflows. The system enables quick team onboarding and reduces context switching by replacing multiple tools with one efficient solution.

#7
Vrite logo

Vrite

1,712
65

Vrite is an open-source developer content platform designed to create, manage, and deploy documentation, technical blogs, and knowledge bases. It combines collaborative editing with headless publishing capabilities to streamline content workflows.

Vrite screenshot

Key Features

  • Open-source and self-hostable with no vendor lock-in
  • Modern WYSIWYG editor with Markdown support and code editing features
  • Headless architecture with robust API integrations
  • Bi-directional Git sync for docs-as-code workflows
  • Built-in semantic search and Q&A powered by LLMs
  • Customizable extensions and role-based access control

Vrite enables developers to write and format content effortlessly with a modern WYSIWYG editor that supports Markdown, IDE-level syntax highlighting, and autocompletion. The platform offers headless management with API integrations, Git sync for a docs-as-code approach, AI-powered semantic search with Q&A, and flexible customization including extensions and role-based controls. It provides dynamic views and panels to effectively manage content schedules and metadata.

#8
SiYuan logo

SiYuan

33,026
2,017

SiYuan is a privacy-first, self-hosted personal knowledge management software built with TypeScript and Go. It offers a versatile, block-based environment for organizing thoughts and managing information while ensuring complete offline usage and secure, end-to-end encrypted data sync.

SiYuan screenshot

Key Features

  • Privacy-first design with end-to-end encryption and offline access
  • Block-based editing for precise content organization
  • Rich element library and bidirectional linking for dynamic note management
  • Smooth handling of large documents with dynamic loading
  • Multi-device data sync via mobile server, Docker, and third-party services
  • Enhanced productivity with spaced repetition and AI-powered assistance

SiYuan refactors your thinking by integrating block editing, bidirectional links, and a rich set of elements that support over 20 block-level and 10 span-level types. It facilitates smooth editing of large documents, offers visual outlines, and includes intelligent features such as spaced repetition and AI integration, all while prioritizing user privacy and local data control.

#9
AnyType logo

AnyType

5,049
296

AnyType is the official client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows that delivers a secure, decentralized, and versatile productivity solution. Emphasizing privacy, autonomy, and fast local execution, it lets users manage everything from personal journals to team collaborations in one unified platform.

AnyType screenshot

Key Features

  • Local-first architecture with on-device encryption
  • Peer-to-peer, decentralized sync ensuring data privacy
  • Powerful, no-code block-based editor with rich templates
  • Versatile use cases: personal, team, and community management

AnyType provides an all-in-one workspace with a powerful block-based editor, customizable databases, and a rich set of templates, enabling creative, no-code content creation. Its local-first design, featuring on-device encryption and peer-to-peer sync, assures true privacy and seamless offline access. Designed for diverse use cases—personal productivity, team collaboration, and community management—AnyType eliminates the dependency on central servers while maintaining rapid performance.

#10
Docmost logo

Docmost

11,838
552

Docmost is an open-source collaborative wiki and documentation software that enables teams to create, manage, and share knowledge effortlessly. It serves as an efficient alternative to platforms like Confluence and Notion, providing a real-time editing environment with robust permission controls.

Docmost screenshot

Key Features

  • Real-time collaborative rich-text editor with diagram support
  • Robust permissions system with groups and spaces
  • Inline commenting and comprehensive page history
  • Nested pages with drag-and-drop reordering
  • File attachments with support for S3 and local storage
  • Multi-language support and full-text search capabilities

Docmost empowers teams to build and maintain a structured knowledge base by offering a real-time collaborative editor with support for rich-text, diagrams, tables, and LaTeX. The tool features a robust permissions system, organized spaces, group management, inline commenting, page history, nested pages, and efficient searching. It also facilitates file attachments and content import/export in Markdown and HTML, ensuring a seamless and versatile documentation experience.

OpenNotas is a personal note-taking app that offers a fast, secure, and free solution for capturing ideas. It provides a simple, user-friendly interface with multi-platform support, making your notes accessible wherever you go.

OpenNotas screenshot

Key Features

  • Simple and user-friendly interface
  • Multi-platform support for mobile and desktop
  • Seamless sync with offline functionality
  • Robust end-to-end encryption (AES)
  • Free and open-source

OpenNotas delivers a streamlined note-taking experience across phones, tablets, and desktops. It features seamless syncing with offline support and robust end-to-end encryption using the AES algorithm, ensuring your data is private and secure. The app’s intuitive design lets you start writing notes with a single tap, eliminating unnecessary complexity.

Standard Notes is a free, open source note-taking app built with industry-leading end-to-end encryption. It secures your thoughts and files while allowing seamless syncing across unlimited devices. With a focus on privacy and simplicity, it gives you the power to write fearlessly.

Standard Notes screenshot

Key Features

  • Industry-leading end-to-end encryption
  • Cross-platform sync with offline access
  • Supports multiple note types (plain text, Markdown, rich text, tasks, code snippets)
  • Advanced editing and organizational tools in paid plans
  • Open source with independently audited security
  • Regular encrypted backups and full data export options

Standard Notes offers a secure digital vault where you can store plain text, markdown, rich text, and more. The platform not only provides robust encryption and offline access across web, desktop, and mobile devices, but also scales with advanced features in its paid plans, such as nested folders, note revision history, and multi-account sharing. Its open source nature and independently audited security ensure you remain in complete control of your data.

Justnote is a privacy-focused note-taking app designed for fast, seamless note management. It offers a simple yet powerful interface that puts encryption and ownership of your data at the forefront.

Justnote screenshot

Key Features

  • Privacy-focused with end-to-end encryption
  • Cross-platform availability and automatic syncing
  • Simple and fast note-taking experience
  • Rich text editor with customizable formatting options
  • Decentralized account ownership for enhanced security

Justnote provides a lightweight solution for drafting, editing, and storing notes with a user-friendly WYSIWYG editor offering options like bold, underline, and color customization. Available on web, iOS, and Android, it automatically syncs your data across devices. The decentralized approach leverages Web3 technology, ensuring your account is cryptographically generated and your notes remain encrypted and truly yours.

#14
Zettlr logo

Zettlr

10,779
654

Zettlr is a comprehensive, free, and open source publication workbench designed for writers, researchers, and academics. It streamlines the entire writing process from initial drafts to final publication with powerful tools integrated in one app.

Zettlr screenshot

Key Features

  • Free and open source with a privacy-first approach
  • Comprehensive support for academic citation management
  • Customizable templates for journal submissions, theses, books, and presentations
  • Efficient project organization with integrated note linking and Zettelkasten support
  • Versatile exporting options through any Pandoc-supported format
  • Multi-platform availability: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Zettlr supports your writing journey by managing projects from idea to publication. It integrates advanced citation management compatible with Zotero, JabRef, and Juris-M, offers customizable templates for various publication needs, and provides powerful note-linking and a Zettelkasten workflow. Its privacy-first design ensures your data remains local without forced cloud synchronization or telemetry.

Price comparison of Obsidian open-source alternatives

ToolTier 1Tier 2Tier 3Details
Joplin logo
Joplin
$2.99
Basic
$5.99
Pro
$7.99
Teams
Learn more
Notesnook logo
Notesnook
$0
Basic
$4.17
Pro
$9.99
Education
Learn more
Logseq logo
Logseq
$0
Free for Personal Use
--Learn more
Orgnise logo
Orgnise
$0
Free
$24
Pro
$59
Business
Learn more
Vrite logo
Vrite
$6
Personal
$12
Team
-
Enterprise
Learn more
SiYuan logo
SiYuan
$0
Free
$64
PRO Features
$148
Subscription
Learn more
Docmost logo
Docmost
$5
Standard
--Learn more
Standard Notes logo
Standard Notes
$0
Standard
$90
Productivity
$120
Professional
Learn more

* Pricing shown is based on publicly available information and may not reflect current rates. Visit each tool's website for detailed pricing information and additional tiers.

About Obsidian

Slime Obsidian is a brand that specializes in creating unique and satisfying slimes. It all started in 2017, when a 16-year-old named Jacob Karram began experimenting with slimes in his parents' garage. He gained a significant following on Instagram, and soon started selling his creations. The demand for his slimes grew rapidly, with new releases selling out within minutes. Today, Slime Obsidian operates from a spacious warehouse and has amassed over 1 million followers. The brand's vision is to continue growing and showcasing the immense fun that slime can bring. Contrary to popular belief, these slimes are far more than just sticky green goo. Each one is intricately crafted, featuring unique textures, scents, colors, and even sprinkles. Whether you're seeking relaxation or a distraction from everyday stresses, Slime Obsidian's offerings, such as their Ultraviolet Slime, are sure to provide a satisfying and joyful experience.
This comparison data was compiled with AI assistance.
Obsidian logo

Obsidian

With over 1 million followers, we pride ourselves on quality, creativity and amazing service. With bi-weekly slime drops, everyone loves Slime Obsidian! Come find the best handmade scented slimes on the internet. Visit our slime shop and check out all of our amazing slimes.

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