Obsidian app icon

Obsidian

Linked notes stored as plain Markdown files you own

MaciPhoneiPad4.52.8K ratingsFree to start

The verdict

Notes locked inside an app's own format are hard to move when that app changes its prices or shuts down. Obsidian keeps every note as a plain Markdown file in a folder you own, then adds links between notes, a graph view and community plugins. It is free on Mac, iPhone and iPad with no account, but official Sync costs $4 a month, and Apple Notes is simpler if you never want to configure anything.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Get it if

You want to build your own notes system with plugins and keep every file on your own disk.

Skip it if

You want notes that work the minute you open the app, and Apple Notes does that for free.

Screenshots 4

What it helps you do

  • Link ideas across hundreds of notes
  • Keep notes as files no company controls
  • See how your notes connect on a graph
  • Add features with community plugins

Plans and prices

  • Obsidian

    Free

    Free for personal and work use, with no sign-up needed

  • Sync

    $5

    $5 a month, or $4 a month billed yearly, for end-to-end encrypted sync with version history and shared vaults

  • Publish

    $10

    $10 a month, or $8 a month billed yearly, per site, to publish your notes as a website

  • Catalyst

    $25

    $25 once, for early beta access and community badges

  • Commercial license

    $50

    $50 per user a year, optional for organizations

What changed

  1. Version 1.14.5

    Fixed crash for iOS versions below 16.3.

  2. Added to The Useful Apps

Written up in The Useful Tech

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The details

Runs on
Mac, iPhone, iPad
Requires
iOS 15.6 or later
Version
1.14.5
Size
42 MB
Made by
Dynalist Inc.
Rating
4.5 from 2.8K ratings on the App Store
No account
Works without signing up
Privacy
Collects no data, per its App Store label
iCloud sync
Syncs across your devices

Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?