Obsidian stores your notes as ordinary Markdown files in a folder on your own disk, then layers linking, backlinks, graph views and a large plugin ecosystem on top. Free for personal use, with no lock-in — your notes remain readable in any text editor.
Why choose Obsidian?
Obsidian stores your notes as ordinary Markdown files in a folder on your own disk, then layers linking, backlinks, graph views and a large plugin ecosystem on top. Free for personal use, with no lock-in — your notes remain readable in any text editor.
Obsidian is free to download and use, though the source code is not published. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and it comes from Obsidian rather than from a repackager — this page sends you to obsidian.md, the publisher's own site, so what you install is the authentic signed build.
Worth comparing before you commit: Obsidian vs LibreOffice, Obsidian vs Apache OpenOffice, Obsidian vs ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors.
Obsidian features
- Plain Markdown files stored locally
- Bidirectional links and graph view
- Large community plugin ecosystem
- Free for personal use
How to download and install Obsidian on Windows
- Use the official source. The download button on this page opens obsidian.md, the publisher's own site — that is the safe route. If you would rather we double-check the current link first, ask and we email it. Either way, never take a obsidian download from a mirror or a "download manager" portal, which is where bundled adware comes from.
- Pick the build for your system. Obsidian runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. On Windows take the 64-bit package unless you are on an old 32-bit installation.
- Run the installer and accept the defaults. Obsidian ships no bundled extra software with it, so there is nothing to untick.
- Open it once before you need it. Confirming it launches and sees your files or hardware takes a minute now and saves a problem later.
- Keep it updated. Update from inside the program or from obsidian.md — update prompts arriving by email or pop-up are not from the publisher.
Downloading Obsidian in India
Obsidian is the same software worldwide — there is no separate India build, no regional licence and nothing extra to pay. A obsidian download in India gets the identical package everyone else receives, straight from obsidian.md.
We link only to that official source, so a obsidian setup download India from this page cannot arrive wrapped in a third-party installer. That matters more than download speed: the adware people blame on "free software" almost always comes from a mirror site, never from the publisher.
Is Obsidian really free?
Free. Free to download and use. Source code is not public. You can download and use it without paying, and without creating an account with us.
How to download Obsidian safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for obsidian.md — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic, digitally signed build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Obsidian. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Obsidian
Other free office & productivity software worth comparing before you decide:
LibreOffice
The leading free office suite — a genuine Microsoft Office alternative.
View details
Apache OpenOffice
The original open-source office suite.
View details
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
The office suite with the closest Microsoft Office compatibility.
View details
WPS Office
Polished, lightweight office suite with a strong mobile version.
View detailsSee all Obsidian alternatives compared →
Compare Obsidian head-to-head
- Obsidian vs LibreOffice
- Obsidian vs Apache OpenOffice
- Obsidian vs ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
- Obsidian vs WPS Office
Frequently asked questions
Is the Obsidian download free?
Yes, Obsidian is free to download and use. The source code is not published, but there is no charge and no trial expiry.
Is Obsidian safe to download?
It is, provided it comes from obsidian.md — Obsidian's own site, which is where the link we send you points. We host no installer of our own and never repackage software. Nearly every "free software gave me a virus" story traces back to a third-party download portal rather than the publisher.
Which platforms does Obsidian run on?
Obsidian runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. Take the build that matches your operating system; on Windows that means the 64-bit package unless you are running an old 32-bit installation.
Do I need an account to download Obsidian?
Not with us — FreeSoftwareX has no accounts, no paywall and no download gate. Ask for the link and we email it to you. Obsidian may ask you to register on their own site, which is their choice rather than ours.
What are the best free alternatives to Obsidian?
The closest free office & productivity options are LibreOffice, Apache OpenOffice, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors. Each is listed here with its own licence, platforms and features so you can compare them properly rather than guessing.
Tell us what went wrong — a person reads every message and replies. Corrections to this page are treated as priority fixes.
People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
Obsidian is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from obsidian.md.