Can I self-host obsidian?
Yes, you can absolutely self-host Obsidian for data synchronization and access, primarily using community plugins like Self-hosted LiveSync (with CouchDB/S3/R2) or Remotely Save (S3/MinIO), or even SyncThing for peer-to-peer syncing, offering free alternatives to Obsidian Sync by giving you full control over your notes' location and privacy. These methods involve setting up a server (like Docker or a Raspberry Pi) and configuring plugins to connect your devices, with options for web access via containers like Quartz or direct sync.Can you self host an Obsidian server?
Our self-hosted Obsidian sync setup has three main parts: CouchDB, Docker, and Pinggy, tied together by the LiveSync plugin. CouchDB powers real-time replication, making it ideal for syncing notes. Everything runs in Docker containers, so the setup works the same on Windows, macOS, and Linux.Does Obsidian run locally?
Obsidian stores notes locally on your device so you always have access to them, even offline. To access your notes on multiple devices you need to set up a sync method. This guide covers common sync methods, including tips to avoid data loss and ensure a smooth experience.Can I run Obsidian offline?
Obsidian is designed to work even without an internet connection. When you're flying or in a remote location, you still have access to your files.Is Obsidian free for personal use?
Obsidian is free for both personal and commercial use; they offer paid premium services (Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish), an optional commercial license, and the Catalyst license, which grants users access to beta versions of Obsidian. A community forum and Discord server are hosted by the developers.Selfhost OBSIDIAN Notes + SYNCTHING to sync across devices | Self-Hosted Lab Series
Is there a better alternative to Obsidian?
There's no single "better" app than Obsidian; it depends on your needs, with top alternatives like Notion (all-in-one, databases), Logseq (outliner, open-source), Anytype (local-first, privacy), Tana (structured notes, productivity), Capacities (simpler, less tinkering), Joplin (open-source, privacy), and Roam Research (networked thought) offering different strengths for knowledge management, focus, or collaboration. Obsidian excels at deep linking, local Markdown files, and customization, but alternatives shine if you want less complexity or specific features like AI, databases, or simple outliners.Can I publish my Obsidian?
Obsidian Publish is a cloud-based hosting service that lets you publish your notes as a wiki, knowledge base, documentation, or digital garden. If you're reading this on help.obsidian.md, you're already looking at a site that uses Obsidian Publish!What are the downsides of Obsidian?
- Persistent reliability issues, such as corrupted notes and app crashes. - Extensive permissions required to access and manage all files on a phone, seen as a security risk. - Some users experience a learning curve, especially those with basic programming skills.Is Obsidian 100% free?
Obsidian is free for everyone to use. We offer optional paid licenses to support our development and provide additional benefits.Is Obsidian better than Evernote?
Evernote is easier for quick, multimedia-rich notes with strong search (OCR) and collaboration, using traditional notebooks/tags, ideal for general users. Obsidian excels at building interconnected knowledge bases (a "second brain") with powerful markdown, bidirectional linking, a visual graph view, and deep customization via plugins, perfect for researchers, writers, and privacy-focused users who prefer local-first data.Is Obsidian just a Markdown editor?
Obsidian is both a Markdown editor and a knowledge base app. Used in the most basic way, you can edit and preview Markdown files.Why is Obsidian so popular?
Obsidian stands out from apps like Notion and Craft primarily due to its offline capabilities and local storage features. While all these apps offer unique functionalities, Obsidian's focus on markdown formatting and user control makes it a distinctive choice for many users.Is Obsidian truly private?
Obsidian stores notes privately on your device, so you can access them quickly, even offline. No one else can read them, not even us. Your mind is unique.Can you actually forge Obsidian?
(also sorry that this did not go into the discord, please feel free to delete) Obsidian's an extremely cool material and makes for immaculately sharp, although brittle, knives. As it is volcanic glass, you do not forge it, and a blacksmith would know that it is not a type of metal.What is the self host alternative to discord?
For self-hosted Discord alternatives, top choices include Revolt.chat for a familiar Discord feel, Matrix (with clients like Element/Cinny) for federation and robust privacy, Rocket.Chat and Mattermost for Slack-like team communication, and Mumble or Jitsi for high-quality voice/video. Other options like Spacebar (a direct Discord reimplementation) and Zulip also offer great self-hosting potential, focusing on different user experiences and features.Is there a free alternative to Obsidian?
So, if you're looking to find an application that suits your needs better than Obsidian, we've got you covered. Here are some of the top alternatives you might consider: NotePlan, Evernote, OneNote, Notion, Roam Research, Joplin, Google Keep, Simplenote, Dropbox Paper, and Bear.Does Amazon use Obsidian?
Some of the largest organizations in the world, including Amazon and Google, have thousands of employees using Obsidian every day.Can Obsidian handle large files?
The amount of data you can store using Obsidian Sync depends on your subscription plan. On the Sync Plus plan you can purchase additional storage up to 100 GB via your account dashboard.Why is obsidian so hard?
The high viscosity inhibits the diffusion of atoms through the lava, which inhibits the first step (nucleation) in the formation of mineral crystals. Together with rapid cooling, this results in a natural glass forming from the lava. Obsidian is hard, brittle, and amorphous; it therefore fractures with sharp edges.Is Markdown still relevant?
What do designers and devs love more than a clever shortcut or a clean UI? A tool that's simple, versatile, and gets out of your way. Markdown fits the bill. Born more than 20 years ago, it's still going strong in 2025—clean, readable, and ridiculously flexible.How long can obsidian last?
Obsidian does not last forever. It is metastable: it changes very slowly. Over time, the glass becomes fine-grained crystals. So, no unaltered obsidian is older than Cretaceous age.Can Obsidian send emails?
This n8n template makes it possible to send emails directly from your Obsidian notes. It leverages the power of the Obsidian Post Webhook plugin, allowing seamless integration between your notes and the email workflow.Who is Obsidian owned by?
Obsidian Entertainment, the video game developer known for RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, is owned by Microsoft, as it was acquired in 2018 and is now part of Xbox Game Studios. While owned by Microsoft, Obsidian continues to operate as a relatively independent studio, focusing on its signature story-driven games.Is Obsidian GDPR compliant?
By default, Obsidian Publish does not collect visitor data, store cookies, or process personal information. However you can implement analytics or log other user data by customizing your site. As the site owner, you are responsible for complying with GDPR and privacy regulations in your region.
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