Turn your notes into a connected knowledge hub
Obsidian is a powerful Markdown-based note-taking app that transforms your scattered ideas into a connected knowledge network. Popular among students, researchers, and professionals, it’s trusted for reliability, privacy, and a thriving plugin community. The core app is free for personal use, works offline, and keeps your data in plain-text files you own.
Frequently Asked Questions on Obsidian
Find answers to the most common questions about Obsidian. Whether you're looking for installation guides, troubleshooting tips, or feature explanations, we've got you covered.
Last Updated: 2 weeks ago
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app that stores your notes as plain-text Markdown files locally. It focuses on linking ideas through bidirectional links, creating a dynamic personal knowledge base.
Is Obsidian free to use?
Yes, Obsidian offers a robust free version with almost all core features included. Paid options like Obsidian Sync and Publish add advanced cloud syncing and website publishing capabilities.
Does Obsidian store my notes in the cloud?
By default, no. Obsidian stores notes locally on your device. You can use third-party cloud services or Obsidian’s paid Sync service to keep notes synchronized across devices.
Can I use Obsidian offline?
Absolutely. Obsidian is designed to work fully offline, allowing you to access and edit your notes anytime without an internet connection.
Which platforms support Obsidian?
Obsidian is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, providing a consistent experience across desktop and mobile devices.
What are bidirectional links in Obsidian?
Bidirectional links automatically create two-way connections between notes, so when you link to a note, you also see all notes linking back. This helps build a network of related ideas.
How does Obsidian differ from other note apps like Evernote or OneNote?
Obsidian emphasizes local Markdown storage and flexible linking over cloud-based syncing. It offers more customization through plugins but requires manual sync setup unless you use their paid Sync service.
Can I customize Obsidian’s interface?
Yes, you can personalize Obsidian with community-created themes, custom CSS, and configurable hotkeys to suit your workflow and preferences.
Is Obsidian secure and private?
Since notes are stored locally by default, you retain full control over your data. Obsidian Sync offers end-to-end encryption for cloud syncing, enhancing privacy for multi-device use.
Does Obsidian support real-time collaboration?
No, Obsidian currently does not support real-time multi-user editing. It’s primarily designed for individual knowledge management.
Can I use plugins with Obsidian?
Yes! Obsidian has a vibrant plugin ecosystem with thousands of community and core plugins that add features like task management, calendars, advanced search, and more.
How do I back up my Obsidian notes?
Since your notes are simple Markdown files, you can back them up using any file backup method—cloud storage services, external drives, or version control systems like Git.
What is Obsidian Publish?
Obsidian Publish is a paid service that lets you convert parts of your vault into a public website, complete with interactive graph views and customizable themes.
Can I import notes from other apps into Obsidian?
Yes, you can import plain text or Markdown files from other apps. Some apps like Evernote require exporting notes as Markdown or HTML first.
How does Obsidian handle multimedia files?
You can embed images, audio, video, and PDFs directly into your notes, enriching your vault beyond just text content.
What is the learning curve like for Obsidian?
While powerful, Obsidian can be overwhelming at first due to its flexibility and extensive features. However, a growing number of tutorials, community forums, and templates help users get started.
Does Obsidian support mobile devices?
Yes, Obsidian has fully functional Android and iOS apps that sync with desktop versions, allowing you to access and edit notes on the go.
Is Obsidian open source?
Obsidian’s core app is closed source, but many plugins and themes are open source and community-developed.