The best Obsidian alternative is Anytype: it keeps notes on your own devices first, works offline and syncs end-to-end encrypted, adds Notion-style databases, and the app is free (sync storage from $4 a month). Notion is the best alternative for teams and for working in a browser, with real-time co-editing (free for one person, Plus $10 per member a month billed yearly), and Microsoft OneNote is the best free alternative for handwriting and freeform notebooks.
Best Obsidian alternatives in 2026
Anytype
Local-first and offline like Obsidian, with end-to-end encrypted sync built in and Notion-style objects and databases; the app is free, sync plans from $4 a month.
Notion
Real-time co-editing, sharing and databases in any browser or app; free for one person, Plus $10 and Business $20 per member a month billed yearly.
Microsoft OneNote
Free freeform notebooks with pen, drawing and audio notes on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and the web, syncing through OneDrive's 5 GB of free storage.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best alternative to Obsidian?
Anytype for a private, offline-first app with encrypted sync and databases built in (free app, sync from $4 a month). Notion if you need to share and co-edit with a team or work in a browser. OneNote for free handwritten and freeform notebooks.
Is there a free, open-source alternative to Obsidian?
Logseq and Joplin. Logseq is a free, open-source outliner that keeps notes as local files with backlinks and daily journals. Joplin is open source, stores Markdown notes with end-to-end encrypted sync through your own cloud storage for free, or Joplin Cloud from 2.99 euros a month. Anytype's code is source-available rather than open source, and Obsidian itself is free but closed source.
Is Obsidian Sync worth paying for?
If you use Obsidian on several devices and want it to just work, yes: $4 a month billed yearly or $5 monthly, end-to-end encrypted, with version history and shared vaults. Free routes exist (iCloud on Apple devices, or Git, Syncthing or a cloud folder), but they take setup and can conflict. Anytype includes encrypted sync with 100 MB free.
Obsidian vs Notion: which should I use?
Obsidian for personal notes that open instantly, work offline and stay yours as Markdown files, with backlinks for connecting ideas. Notion for notes you share and co-edit, organize in databases, or open from any browser. Obsidian has no real-time co-editing; Notion works offline only for pages you download.
Can I move my Obsidian vault to another app?
Yes, because the vault is a folder of Markdown files. Anytype and Notion both import Markdown, and Logseq and Joplin open or import it too. Expect to fix wiki-style links, embeds, Canvas files and anything that relied on community plugins.
What is the best Obsidian alternative for iPad and handwriting?
OneNote for free pen notes that sync to Windows, Android and the web. On Apple devices only, Apple Notes handles quick pen notes for free, and Goodnotes is the specialist for handwritten notes and annotated PDFs.
Comparing every kind of notes app? Best note taking apps.
Leaving Notion instead? Best Notion alternatives.