1
Joplin
joplinapp.orgSame kind of online tool
Joplin provides open-source note-taking, with plugins, help resources, and a cloud service listed on its site.
Alternatives
The Best Obsidian Alternatives in 2026
19 alternatives3 free · 6 open source
Looking for something like Obsidian? Here are 19 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 3 are free or have a free plan and 6 are open source.
Obsidian supports private note-taking, with sync, publishing, plugins, and web clipping listed among its options.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionJoplinJoplin provides open-source note-taking, with plugins, help…Free or freemium optionGoogle Drive SyncThe Obsidian Google Drive Sync plugin synchronizes notes…Open source optionNotesnookA fully open source and end-to-end encrypted note taking…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joplin | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 2 | Google Drive Sync | Free | Not stated | — |
| 3 | Noteshelf | — | Not stated | iOS, Web |
| 4 | Simplenote | Free | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 5 | Joplin | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 6 | SilentNotes | — | Not stated | Android, Web, Windows |
| 7 | Notesnook | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 8 | MicroPad | — | Not stated | Linux, macOS, Web |
| 9 | Mochi Cards | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 10 | Papers.IM | — | Not stated | Web |
All Obsidian alternatives
2
Free
The Obsidian Google Drive Sync plugin synchronizes notes across devices using Google Drive.
3
Noteshelf
noteshelf.netSame kind of online tool
Handwriting, document annotation, diaries, and journals are among the features of Noteshelf note-taking app.
4
Same kind of online tool · free
Simplenote syncs notes across devices, with apps listed for iOS, Android, and Mac.
5
Joplin
github.com/laurent22/joplinTake notes and sync them across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS using Joplin, the privacy-focused note-taking app.
6
SilentNotes
martinstoeckli.ch/silentnotesSame kind of online tool
SilentNotes offers cross-platform note-taking, with downloads and privacy information on its site.
7
Notesnook
notesnook.comSame kind of online tool
Notesnook provides open-source note-taking with zero-knowledge encryption, a free tier, and paid plans for added storage and features.
8
MicroPad
getmicropad.comSame kind of online tool
MicroPad supports note-taking and note organization, according to its product page.
9
Mochi Cards
mochi.cardsSame kind of online tool
Mochi supports spaced-repetition flashcards and note-taking, according to its product page.
10
Papers.IM
papers.imSame kind of online tool
Papers.IM provides in-browser note-taking, with its page describing the app as restrictionless and for digital professionals.
11
Open source
A fully open source and end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.
12
QOwnNotes
qownnotes.orgQOwnNotes supports Markdown note-taking on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works with Nextcloud Notes.
13
Free
Lokus - A modern, intuitive note-taking application with powerful editing capabilities
14
Open source
VNote is a Qt-based open-source note-taking application that combines note management with editing for Markdown, Typst, plain text and code, mind maps, and PDF reading on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
15
Open source
Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for capturing notes and files, according to its repository description.
16
Open source
Xournal++ supports handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including pen input from devices such as Wacom tablets.
17
Edna
edna.arslexis.ioTake notes in Edna, which the supplied page describes as a note-taking application with added features.
18
Open source
Org-roam is a Roam-inspired note-taking project built around Org-mode, as stated in its repository description.
19
Open source
Butterfly supports handwritten note-taking, drawing, and organizing ideas in an open-source endless workspace.
No alternatives match this filter.
Obsidian comparisons
Head-to-head breakdowns for the most common switches.
vs
Obsidian vs Joplin: Linked Notes or Structured Notebooks?
Compare Obsidian and Joplin by note storage, linking, notebooks, offline use, sync costs…
Alternatives to similar tools
Notesnook24 alternativesSilentNotes17 alternativesGoogle Drive Sync13 alternativesSimplenote5 alternativesNotesnook21 alternativesLokus22 alternatives
TopicNotes & Knowledge Management · 92 sites Best-of listBest Free Note-Taking Apps for Offline Use ListingObsidian details
What is the best alternative to Obsidian?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Obsidian are Joplin, Google Drive Sync, and Noteshelf.
Is there a free alternative to Obsidian?
Yes. Google Drive Sync, Simplenote, and Lokus are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Obsidian?
Yes: Notesnook, Vnote, App, and Xournalpp.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative