SoftNexi

Windows · Office & Productivity

Obsidian for Windows

Local-first Markdown note-taking app that stores notes as plain-text files and links them into a personal knowledge graph.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Obsidian is a note-taking app built around plain Markdown files stored locally in a folder called a vault, rather than in a proprietary database or a mandatory cloud service. Notes can link to each other with double-bracket syntax, and Obsidian visualizes those links as a graph, which makes it popular for building an interconnected personal knowledge base rather than a flat list of notes.

It suits people who want full control over their notes as ordinary text files — writers, researchers, developers, and anyone practicing methods like Zettelkasten or 'second brain' note-taking — and who are comfortable with a steeper initial setup than a simple notepad app. Because vaults are just folders of Markdown files, they can be backed up, version-controlled with Git, or synced with any file-syncing tool you already use.

Compared with OneNote, Obsidian favors plain-text portability and extensibility over free-form visual layout: there's no drawing canvas or embedded audio by default, but a large community plugin ecosystem adds capabilities like task management, calendars, and diagramming. Obsidian's core app is free for personal use; official sync and publishing services are separate paid add-ons.

The learning curve is real — new users often need time to understand vaults, linking, and the plugin system — but for anyone who wants notes that remain readable and editable outside of Obsidian itself, that trade-off is usually worth it.

Key features

  • Notes stored as plain Markdown files in a local folder (vault)
  • Bidirectional linking between notes with a visual graph view
  • Large community plugin ecosystem for tasks, calendars, and diagrams
  • Works fully offline with no account required for local vaults
  • Optional paid Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish services
  • Customizable themes and hotkeys for personalizing the writing environment

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Internet
Not required for local vaults; needed only for optional Obsidian Sync or Publish

How to install Obsidian

  1. 1. Download the installer

    Get the Windows installer from obsidian.md/download.

  2. 2. Run setup

    Approve the UAC prompt and follow the installer; no account is required.

  3. 3. Create or open a vault

    On first launch, choose Create new vault to start a folder of Markdown notes, or Open folder as vault to use existing Markdown files.

  4. 4. Enable community plugins (optional)

    In Settings > Community plugins, turn on community plugins if you want to browse and install add-ons beyond the built-in core plugins.

How to use it

  1. 1. Link notes together

    Type [[ followed by a note title to create a link; Obsidian will create the note if it doesn't exist yet.

  2. 2. Explore the graph view

    Open the Graph View to see how your notes connect, which can help surface related ideas you'd forgotten about.

  3. 3. Back up your vault

    Since a vault is just a folder, back it up or sync it with any file backup tool, cloud drive, or Git repository you already use.

  4. 4. Add plugins carefully

    Browse community plugins from Settings, but only enable ones you understand, since third-party plugins run with broad access to your vault.

Safety and privacy

  • Download only from obsidian.md to ensure you get the official build.
  • Because Obsidian is closed source, we rely on the developer's own security documentation rather than independent code audits.
Bundled software
The official installer does not bundle third-party offers.
Privacy
The core app works entirely offline with local vaults and no account requirement; enabling Obsidian Sync or Publish sends data to Obsidian's paid cloud services, which is opt-in.

Known risks

  • Third-party community plugins vary in quality and maintenance; only install plugins from the official community plugin browser and review their permissions.

What's new

    Pros and cons

    Pros

    • Notes stored as plain, portable Markdown files you fully control
    • Powerful bidirectional linking and graph visualization
    • Free for personal use with no mandatory account
    • Extensive community plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Steeper learning curve than a simple notepad app
    • No built-in free-form drawing canvas like OneNote
    • Official sync and publishing features are paid add-ons
    • Quality of third-party plugins varies since they're community-maintained

    Verdict

    Obsidian is the strongest option for people who want their notes stored as durable, portable Markdown files with powerful linking, and who don't mind a bit of setup time. Users who want a simpler, more visual note app with zero configuration may prefer OneNote.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Obsidian free?

    The core app is free for personal use; Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish are separate paid services, and commercial use requires a commercial license.

    Where are Obsidian notes stored?

    Notes are stored as plain Markdown files in a local folder called a vault, which you can back up or sync with any tool you choose.

    Does Obsidian require an account?

    No, using a local vault requires no account; an account is only needed for optional paid Sync or Publish services.

    Does Obsidian run on Windows 11?

    Yes, Obsidian supports Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit).