Obsidian vs Joplin
A side-by-side look at Obsidian (the paid SaaS) and Joplin (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Obsidian | Joplin | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Local-first markdown knowledge base (closed source, free for personal use). | Open source Evernote alternative with markdown notes and end-to-end encryption. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free for personal use; Sync $5/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | iOS, Android |
Best for
Similar markdown focus but open source and multi-platform.
Joplin strengths
- End-to-end encryption for syncable notes.
- Works with Nextcloud, Dropbox, WebDAV, and Joplin Cloud.
- Web clipper and mobile apps available.
Joplin weaknesses
- Interface can feel basic compared to Notion-style tools.
- Plugin ecosystem is smaller than Obsidian's.
- Sync conflicts occasionally need manual resolution.
What's the catch with Obsidian?
- Not open source despite being free.
- Mobile app is limited compared to desktop.
- Sync requires paid add-on or custom setup.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Obsidian: see Obsidian alternatives, or learn more about Joplin on its project page.
Recommended reading
The real monthly cost of a Notion workspace at scale
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When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
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