Best Open-Source Obsidian Alternatives (2026)
6 self-hostable, open-source projects that replace Obsidian — without paid sync and a closed-source core. Each is scored for how hard it is to self-host, with one-click deploy options where they exist.
Obsidian's app is free but its sync is a paid add-on and the core is closed-source, which sits badly with users who chose it for local-first, own-your-data reasons. People switch to get open-source code and self-hostable sync without an ongoing subscription.
Our picks at a glance
Difficulty 2/5 with Docker or manual deploy plus managed hosting, the lowest-friction option that keeps block-level linked notes.
Adds whiteboards and databases to local-first docs, the broadest feature set of the bunch.
Offers a managed/hosted sync option alongside its self-hostable server, solving Obsidian's paid-sync gripe directly.
Compare all 6 alternatives
Tap a column header to sort| Project | Deploy | Managed | License | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AFFiNE TypeScript | 51k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose | MIT | 14 days ago | Repo | |
 Joplin TypeScript | 50k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +1 | AGPL-3.0 | 8 days ago | Repo | |
 SiYuan TypeScript | 36k ★ | 2/5 Easy | Docker Manual | AGPL-3.0 | 6 days ago | Repo | |
 Logseq Clojure | 36k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Manual | AGPL-3.0 | 26 days ago | Repo | |
 Trilium Notes TypeScript | 12k ★ | 2/5 Easy | Docker Manual | AGPL-3.0 | 13 days ago | Repo | |
 Standard Notes TypeScript | 6k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose | AGPL-3.0 | 18 days ago | Repo |
What to look for: Since Obsidian users value local-first markdown and a graph of linked notes, look for replacements that keep notes in open formats and link well, then check whether sync is self-hostable rather than a paid service. Decide if you want a pure markdown outliner or a broader workspace, because that separates Logseq from something like AFFiNE.
The alternatives, reviewed
- #1
AFFiNESelf-host: ModeratePrivacy-first, local-first workspace combining docs, whiteboards, and databases
51k TypeScript MIT 14 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- Self-hosted real-time sync (AFFiNE Cloud) has historically lagged the desktop/local experience and can be fiddly to configure.
- Smaller third-party integration and plugin ecosystem than Notion.
- Mobile apps are less mature than the desktop client.
- Some advanced AI and collaboration features are gated to the paid cloud tier.
- #2
JoplinSelf-host: ModerateOpen-source note-taking app with end-to-end encrypted sync
50k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 8 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- The note editor is more basic than Notion-style block editors.
- No real-time collaborative editing; sync is eventual.
- No relational database or board views.
- Self-hosted Joplin Server setup and multi-user management is less polished than the apps.
- #3
SiYuanSelf-host: EasyPrivacy-first personal knowledge management with block-level editing
36k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 6 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- Primarily single-user; no real-time team collaboration.
- Official cloud sync and some features require a paid subscription.
- Documentation and UI are translated from Chinese and can be uneven.
- Smaller English-language community and plugin ecosystem.
- #4
LogseqSelf-host: InvolvedPrivacy-first, local-first outliner for networked notes
36k Clojure AGPL-3.0 26 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- Primarily a local desktop app; there is no official self-hosted web server, only file sync via Git/cloud storage.
- Official sync service is paid and separate from the open-source core.
- The database-backed rewrite has had a long, disruptive transition.
- Mobile apps are less polished and sync can be tricky.
- #5
Trilium NotesSelf-host: EasyHierarchical note-taking app for building personal knowledge bases
12k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 13 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- Single-user oriented; no real-time multi-user collaboration.
- UI is dense and has a steep learning curve.
- No relational database/board views like Notion.
- Original Trilium is archived; users must migrate to the community TriliumNext fork.
- #6
Standard NotesSelf-host: ModerateEnd-to-end encrypted notes app with self-hostable sync server
6k TypeScript AGPL-3.0 18 days agoHow it compares to Obsidian
- Advanced editors and features require a paid (or self-hosted Pro) subscription.
- No relational database or board views.
- No real-time collaboration.
- Minimalist by design, so power-user organization features are limited.
The verdict
If you want Obsidian's networked-notes feel as open source, Logseq (local-first outliner) and SiYuan (low-friction, block-based) are the truest matches; if your real pain point is paid sync, Joplin gives you free, self-hostable, end-to-end encrypted sync instead.
Obsidian alternatives — frequently asked questions
Is there an open-source Obsidian alternative?
Yes, several. Logseq and SiYuan are the closest in spirit, both privacy-first, local-first tools for linked notes. AFFiNE and Joplin are also fully open-source, unlike Obsidian's closed core.
Which alternative gives me free sync without Obsidian's subscription?
Joplin offers end-to-end encrypted sync with a self-hostable server (and a managed option), and SiYuan supports self-hosted/managed sync. Both remove the paid-sync barrier that pushes people away from Obsidian.
What's the most Obsidian-like for networked, local-first notes?
Logseq, a privacy-first, local-first outliner built specifically for networked notes. It keeps your notes local but has a higher setup difficulty (4/5) and is manual-deploy only.
Which is easiest to set up?
SiYuan (difficulty 2/5) and Trilium (difficulty 2/5) are the simplest. SiYuan supports Docker and offers managed hosting; Trilium is a self-hosted hierarchical note app via Docker or manual install.
Do any of these store notes in plain markdown like Obsidian?
Joplin and Logseq work with markdown, keeping your notes in portable text files. AFFiNE and SiYuan use block-based storage, which is more flexible but less directly file-compatible with an existing Obsidian vault.
I want whiteboards and databases too, not just notes. What should I pick?
AFFiNE, which combines docs, whiteboards, and databases in one local-first workspace and offers managed hosting. It's the most feature-complete option and the highest-momentum project (~51k stars) in this list.