Reflect
Fast, encrypted networked notes with AI built in.
Web AppNote-TakingWeb, iOSPaid but Affordable
4.5Visit
Desktop App
Obsidian
Local-first markdown notes with a powerful link graph.
Day 43 since launch · Launched 25 August 2026
Made by Shushant LakhyaniKnow about Shushant Lakhyani hereGet all my visual guides hereSee what I can build for youAI+Tech+No-Code+Online Business Mini GuidesJoin the newsletter
Made by Shushant LakhyaniKnow about Shushant Lakhyani hereGet all my visual guides hereSee what I can build for youAI+Tech+No-Code+Online Business Mini GuidesJoin the newsletterBuilt with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
Screenshot or bookmark this page so you find it later, then share it with your network.
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian stores plain markdown files on your own machine and turns them into a connected knowledge graph. A deep plugin ecosystem lets you build anything from a simple journal to a full personal knowledge management system that will outlive any single app.
Pros
- Your notes stay yours as plain files
- Works fully offline
- Endlessly extensible
Cons
- Sync costs extra
- Plugin tinkering can eat time
Who should use Obsidian
Long-term thinkers who want durable, private notes.
Who may not need it
Teams that need real-time collaborative documents.
Compare Obsidian
Side-by-side comparisons and lists that include Obsidian.
Obsidian alternatives
Similar resources to Obsidian, picked from the directory.
Glyph
A private desktop workspace for notes, documents and ideas, with Markdown and built-in AI.
Desktop AppNote-TakingmacOSFree
4.3Visit
Bear
Fast, elegant markdown notes for Apple devices.
iOS AppNote-TakingiOS, macOSFreemium
4.6Visit
Logseq
A privacy-first, open-source knowledge base that works on local files.
Desktop AppNote-TakingmacOS, WindowsFree
4.6Visit
hypernovum
Agent Ops for your second brain — a 3D IDE for Obsidian built on Three.js.
Desktop AppNote-TakingmacOS, WindowsFree
4.3Visit
claude-obsidian
Self-organizing AI second brain for Obsidian and Claude Code — drop any source and Claude reads, links and files it.
AI ToolNote-TakingmacOS, WindowsFree
4.8Visit
Free alternatives to Obsidian
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Anytype
The local-first, privacy-focused alternative to Notion.
Desktop AppNote-TakingmacOS, WindowsFree
4.4Visit
Obsidian Second Brain
Persistent memory for Claude Code and six other CLI agents, stored as plain markdown in your Obsidian vault.
AI ToolPersonal Knowledge ManagementmacOS, WindowsFree
4.7Visit
Dataview
A data index and query language over the Markdown files in your Obsidian vault.
OtherNote-TakingCross-PlatformFree
4.5Visit
Kanban for Obsidian
Create Markdown-backed Kanban boards in Obsidian.
OtherNote-TakingCross-PlatformFree
4.5Visit
Kipi System
Your AI brain, externalized — remembers everything you do and becomes any role you need.
FrameworkAI ProductivitymacOS, WindowsFree
4.5Visit
Obsidian Web Clipper
Save any page straight into your notes.
Browser ExtensionResearchChrome, FirefoxFree
4.4Visit
Featured on Best Productivity Resources
Made Obsidian? Add this free badge to your website or README. It links to this page.
<a href="https://bestproductivityresources.com/resources/obsidian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://bestproductivityresources.com/badges/featured-light.svg" alt="Featured on Best Productivity Resources" width="250" height="54" /></a>