Obsidian

by Obsidian · Notes & study

FreeWindowsMacLinux

Markdown notes app with linked notes, kept as files on your device.

Official download from obsidian.md (opens in a new tab)

Opens obsidian.md, Obsidian's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files in a local folder. Backlinks, a graph view and community plugins turn it into a personal knowledge base. It is free for personal and commercial use; Sync and Publish are optional paid add-ons.

Key features

  • Local Markdown files
  • Backlinks and graph view
  • Thousands of community plugins
  • Canvas for visual notes

Best for

  • Personal knowledge bases
  • Students taking lecture notes
  • Writers organising research

Included in starter kits

Install

How to install Obsidian

  1. 1Open the official Obsidian download page on obsidian.md.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac, Linux; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Windows · winget

    winget install --id Obsidian.Obsidian -e --source winget

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask obsidian

  • Linux · Flatpak (Flathub)

    flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidian

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download Obsidian safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on obsidian.md. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

Obsidian alternatives

Other notes & study apps, closest platform match first.

All notes

FAQ

Obsidian questions

Where can I download Obsidian safely?

Download Obsidian only from Obsidian's official site at obsidian.md. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is Obsidian free?

Yes. Obsidian is free to download and use, though it is not open source.

Does Obsidian work on Windows, Mac and Linux?

Obsidian is available for Windows, Mac, Linux. Check Obsidian's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install Obsidian from the command line?

Yes, with winget on Windows (winget install --id Obsidian.Obsidian -e); Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask obsidian); Flatpak on Linux (flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidian). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to Obsidian?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full notes & study list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.