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Alternatives

Best Obsidian alternatives in 2026

Obsidian is local-first Markdown notes with links between notes. These 11 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.

11 alternatives From best note-taking apps How we rank Share

Ranked alternatives

  1. Notion

    Also runs on Web. The strongest hosted workspace here, with pages, databases and team sharing in one place. Notes live on Notion's servers, and paid plans charge per member, unlike the local tools above.

    Best for Team workspaces with notes, databases and tasks

    WebmacOSWindowsiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades

    90.5of 100
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  2. Microsoft OneNote

    Also runs on Web. A free notebook that runs on Windows, Apple devices, Android and the web, with pen and drawing support. Its canvas pages suit sketches more than plain typed notes.

    Best for Free mixed-media notebooks across Windows and Apple

    WindowsmacOSiOS, iPadOSAndroidWebFree

    88.5of 100
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  3. Joplin

    Is open source. The open-source choice here, AGPL-licensed, covering desktop, mobile and terminal with end-to-end encrypted sync. Its interface is plainer than the commercial apps, and sharing runs through Joplin Cloud.

    Best for Open-source notes with end-to-end encrypted sync

    WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSCommand lineFree and open sourceOpen source

    87.0of 100
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  4. Apple Notes

    Free and built into Apple devices, with iCloud sync, scanning and audio transcription. It runs only on Apple platforms and has fewer organizing tools than Obsidian or Logseq.

    Best for Quick notes across Apple devices with iCloud

    macOSiOS, iPadOSFree

    85.5of 100
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  5. Logseq

    Is open source. An open-source outliner for linked notes and a daily journal, released under AGPL-3.0. Its README marks the database version and mobile app as beta or alpha, so Obsidian and Joplin are steadier for daily notes.

    Best for Linked outlines and daily journals on the desktop

    WindowsmacOSLinuxFree and open sourceOpen source

    84.0of 100
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  6. Bear

    A focused Markdown editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, with tags and inline sketches. The free tier stays local, and iCloud sync needs PRO, unlike Apple Notes where iCloud is part of the built-in app.

    Best for Markdown writing on Mac, iPhone and iPad

    macOSiOS, iPadOSFree plan, paid upgrades

    82.5of 100
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  7. Notesnook

    Is open source; also runs on Web. Open-source notes with end-to-end encryption and unlimited notes on the free plan, under GPL-3.0. It is built for private notes, while Notion and OneNote cover shared team workspaces.

    Best for Private encrypted notes with open-source code

    WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWebFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source

    81.5of 100
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  8. Evernote

    Also runs on Web. Clipping, document scanning and search are strong, and the apps cover most platforms. The free plan is capped at 50 notes and one synced device, which limits it more than the free options here.

    Best for Clipping and scanning in a notebook app

    iOSAndroidWebWindowsmacOSFree plan, paid upgrades

    80.5of 100
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  9. Google Keep

    Also runs on Web. Fast capture of notes, lists and voice memos, free with a Google Account. It organizes with labels rather than folders and is built for short notes, so it ranks below the apps with deeper organization.

    Best for Quick notes, lists and reminders on any device

    WebAndroidiOS, iPadOSFree

    79.0of 100
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  10. Simplenote

    Also runs on Web. A minimal note app from Automattic whose apps, backups, sync and sharing are free. Its focus is quick notes, so Obsidian and Joplin suit long research projects better.

    Best for Quick notes that sync across phones and computers

    iOSAndroidmacOSWindowsLinuxWebFree

    77.5of 100
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  11. RemNote

    Also runs on Web. An outliner that turns notes into flashcards with spaced repetition, with PDF annotation and an exam scheduler. The free plan limits annotated documents and images, so heavy students use the paid tiers; plain note apps are simpler.

    Best for Students who study from their own notes

    WebiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades

    76.0of 100
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Open-source alternatives to Obsidian

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About Obsidian alternatives

What is the best alternative to Obsidian?
On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Notion, followed by Microsoft OneNote. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
Is there a free alternative to Obsidian?
Yes. Free options include Notion, Microsoft OneNote, Joplin.

Before you switch

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