Open-source alternatives to Obsidian

Obsidian by Dynalist Inc. in the Docs & collaboration category. These are the open alternatives we recommend looking at.

Obsidian is free, including for commercial use, but not open source (see freeware.json).

AppFlowy

Notion-like workspace for notes, databases and tasks.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)not verified

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

Deployment: Desktop, Docker

Joplin

Note-taking app with sync and encryption for desktop and mobile.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)Open core

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 56.6k
Deployment: Desktop

SiYuan

Local-first, privacy-focused knowledge base with block editing, Markdown and optional self-hosting.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 46.6k
Deployment: Desktop

Logseq

Local-first note app for knowledge management with journals, linked notes and outliner editing.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 45.1k
Deployment: Desktop

Trilium Notes

App for a personal knowledge base with hierarchical notes, links and scripting.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 38.2k
Deployment: Docker
Login/SSO: OIDC

Notesnook

End-to-end encrypted note-taking app, in the style of Evernote.

GPL-3.0Strong copyleft

SaaS: YesClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 14.7k
Deployment: Desktop

Zettlr

Markdown editor for writing and academic work, with reference management and export.

GPL-3.0Strong copyleft

SaaS: YesClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 13.6k
Deployment: Desktop

Anytype

Local-first app for notes, documents and databases with end-to-end encryption and sync between devices.

LicenseRef-Any-Source-Available-1.0Source-available (not OSI)

SaaS: NoClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 8.9k
Deployment: Desktop

Standard Notes

End-to-end encrypted notes and files on all platforms.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)

SaaS: Yes, with conditionsClosed product: No

GitHub stars: 6.6k
Deployment: Desktop

Silverbullet

Markdown knowledge base that runs in the browser and can be extended with Lua scripts.

MITPermissive

SaaS: YesClosed product: Yes

GitHub stars: 6.2k
Deployment: Docker

This is guidance, not legal advice (inte juridisk rådgivning). Check with a lawyer before deciding.

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