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.
Get to know the Advanced Features of Obsidian
Discover the unique and powerful advanced features that make Obsidian stand out. These features are designed to enhance your experience and provide added functionality.
Local Markdown Vaults
Complete Data OwnershipObsidian stores all your notes as plain-text Markdown files on your device. This design ensures total control, easy backups, and future-proof access. There’s no vendor lock-in, so your notes remain yours even if the app changes or disappears. This foundation is crucial for privacy and portability.
Bidirectional Linking & Backlinks
Connect Your Ideas SeamlesslyEvery note can link to others, and Obsidian automatically tracks backlinks to show which notes reference the current one. This creates a rich, interactive web of connections. It turns your notes into a dynamic knowledge graph that grows organically with your ideas.
Graph View
Visualize Your Knowledge NetworkObsidian’s graph view renders your entire vault as a dynamic, zoomable map of notes and links. It helps you identify clusters, discover hidden relationships, and better understand your knowledge structure. This visual insight is invaluable for complex projects and research.
Plugin Ecosystem
Expand Functionality InfinitelyThousands of community-created plugins let you tailor Obsidian to your needs—from task boards and calendars to AI assistants and advanced queries. This vibrant ecosystem constantly grows, transforming Obsidian into more than just a note-taking app.
Canvas View
Organize Notes VisuallyThe Canvas feature offers a flexible workspace where you can freely arrange notes, images, and media. This spatial layout supports brainstorming and visual mapping beyond linear notes, enhancing creativity and idea organization.
Obsidian Sync (Encrypted)
Secure Cross-Device SynchronizationObsidian offers an optional, end-to-end encrypted sync service that keeps your vault updated across devices. It protects your privacy, offers version history, and provides seamless access whether on desktop or mobile.
Obsidian Publish
Share Your Vault PubliclyEasily publish parts or all of your vault as a website, complete with graph visualization and custom themes. Obsidian Publish bridges private note-taking with public knowledge sharing, ideal for blogs or documentation.
Custom Templates & Daily Notes
Automate Consistent Note CreationReusable templates speed up structured note-taking, while daily notes encourage journaling and tracking. These features foster a consistent, productive workflow for personal or professional use.
Advanced Search & Filters
Find Notes InstantlyObsidian’s powerful search supports keyword, regex, tag, date, and file-type filters. Even massive vaults can be navigated swiftly, making research and retrieval efficient and precise.
Hotkeys & Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
Speed Up Your WorkflowCustomize keyboard shortcuts for any action, from opening panels to inserting templates. Hotkeys let power users navigate and edit faster, streamlining their workflow.
Themes & CSS Customization
Tailor Your Workspace AppearanceChoose from community themes or create your own with custom CSS. This deep theming control lets you design an environment that fits your aesthetic and reduces eye strain during long sessions.
Markdown Preview & Live Editing
Flexible Writing ModesSwitch between raw Markdown editing and a live preview that renders formatting as you type. This caters to both technical users and those who prefer a polished, distraction-free look.
Embedded Multimedia
Enrich Your NotesEmbed images, audio, video, PDFs, or even other notes directly inside pages. This multimedia support turns your vault into a rich knowledge base beyond plain text.
Version History (with Sync or Plugins)
Protect Your NotesMaintain a timeline of note revisions to undo mistakes or recover lost content. This safeguard builds confidence, especially when working on important documents.
Tag & Folder Hybrid Organization
Flexible Note CategorizationCombine hierarchical folders and flat tags to organize notes your way. This hybrid system supports both project structure and thematic grouping, maximizing flexibility.
Outline & Breadcrumbs
Navigate Complex Notes EasilyUse outlines to structure long notes, and breadcrumbs to keep track of where you are within nested notes. These tools enhance readability and navigation in dense documents.
Workspaces & Layouts
Save and Switch EnvironmentsCreate custom workspaces with specific panel arrangements, allowing you to switch quickly between setups optimized for writing, research, or planning.
Sync with Third-Party Cloud Services
Flexible Backup & Sync OptionsWhile Obsidian Sync is optional, you can use services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud to sync your vault. This flexibility lets you choose storage that fits your preferences.
Community Themes & Snippets
Personalize with Shared ResourcesAccess thousands of user-created themes and CSS snippets to customize your app appearance and behavior. This vibrant community sharing keeps your setup fresh and unique.
Audio & Video Player
Media Playback Within NotesPlay audio and video files embedded in your notes directly, supporting multimedia projects or lecture reviews without leaving Obsidian.
Backlink Previews & Hover Popups
Quick Note ReferenceHover over links to see note previews without opening them, speeding up navigation and reducing context switching while researching.
PDF Annotation (via Plugins)
Annotate Documents in VaultUse plugins to highlight, comment, and markup PDFs inside Obsidian, turning it into a powerful research and study tool.
Some Key Features of Obsidian
Explore the essential features of Obsidian that make it a top choice. These key features are designed to provide ease of use, efficiency, and versatility.
Local Markdown Vaults
Store your notes locally in universally readable Markdown format. This ensures your data is portable, private, and future-proof.
Bidirectional Linking & Backlinks
Create and explore rich networks of notes by automatically tracking two-way links. This builds a dynamic knowledge graph.
Graph View
Visualize your entire note system as an interactive map, helping you discover connections and gaps effortlessly.
Plugin Ecosystem
Customize your experience with thousands of plugins that extend Obsidian’s capabilities far beyond note-taking.
Cross-Platform & Offline Use
Work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS—offline first, with optional syncing to keep your notes up-to-date anywhere.
Daily Notes & Templates
Automate the creation of structured daily logs and templated notes to boost productivity and consistency.
Advanced Search & Filters
Quickly find any note using powerful search features including regex and metadata filtering.
Custom Themes & Hotkeys
Personalize the look and speed of your workflow with custom themes and keyboard shortcuts.
Obsidian Publish
Easily turn your vault into a public website with minimal effort.
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.