# Obsidian: what it does, who it is for and alternatives > Obsidian: Private, linked notes stored on your own computer, with community AI plugins. Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/obsidian · Updated 2026-10-20 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com) Updated October 20, 2026 · By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) Private, linked notes stored on your own computer, with community AI plugins. [Productivity & tasks](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/productivity-tasks) · Free Official site: [obsidian.md](https://obsidian.md) ## What Obsidian does Obsidian saves each note as a plain Markdown file in a folder on your computer, so it works offline and you are never locked in. You link notes to each other, tag them, and see the connections in a graph view or lay ideas out on an open canvas. Optional Sync and Publish add-ons share notes across devices or turn them into a web wiki. ## Who Obsidian is for - Consultants - Project managers - Researchers and analysts - Writers and content managers ## Key features - Notes stored as plain Markdown files on your own device - Links, tags, graph view and an open Canvas for mapping ideas - Thousands of community plugins such as Calendar, Kanban, Dataview and Tasks - Sync with version history, selective sync and shared vaults for teams - Publish notes as a website or knowledge base, with custom domains and password protection ## Privacy and data Obsidian says notes stay on your device by default, Sync uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption, and lists outside security audits by Cure53 and Trail of Bits. Source: [Obsidian’s own page](https://obsidian.md/security). Before you put client data in, check your company’s AI rules and the plan’s data settings. ## Learn Obsidian free on Stepthrough - Guide: [Notion alternatives](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/alternatives/notion) ## Alternatives to Obsidian Other AI productivity tools in the directory. - [**Routine**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/routine) Free plan Tasks, calendar and notes in one app, with a Console that captures tasks in plain words, an Inbox you process to zero and an AI assistant that reads your tasks, calendars and notes to answer questions and propose changes. Works with Google, Outlook and iCloud calendars. Free plan includes the AI assistant. - [**Screenpipe**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/screenpipe) Free plan Records your screen and audio and makes the history searchable, so you or an AI assistant (via MCP) can see how a recurring task is really done before you automate it. History stays on your computer by default; cloud AI, transcription and sync send data out. Commercial use needs a paid license. - [**Notion**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/notion) Free plan Docs, wikis and projects in one workspace, with AI that writes, searches and takes meeting notes. - [**ClickUp**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/clickup) Free plan Tasks, docs, chat and goals in one app. ClickUp Brain summarizes a task or a whole project, writes your stand-up update and answers questions from your own work. - [**Asana**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/asana) Free plan Project and work management with AI that summarizes status and suggests next steps. - [**monday.com**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/monday-com) Free plan Visual boards for projects and workflows, with AI that fills columns and writes updates. [All 32 AI productivity tools](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/productivity-tasks) ## Frequently asked questions **What is Obsidian?** Private, linked notes stored on your own computer, with community AI plugins. Obsidian saves each note as a plain Markdown file in a folder on your computer, so it works offline and you are never locked in. You link notes to each other, tag them, and see the connections in a graph view or lay ideas out on an open canvas. Optional Sync and Publish add-ons share notes across devices or turn them into a web wiki. **Who is Obsidian for?** Obsidian fits consultants, project managers, researchers and analysts and writers and content managers, and other office teams with the same job to do. **Is Obsidian free?** Yes, Obsidian is free to use. Plans change often, so check the official pricing page before you commit. **What are some alternatives to Obsidian?** Other AI productivity tools include Routine, Screenpipe, Notion, ClickUp and Asana. **Is Obsidian safe for work data?** Obsidian says notes stay on your device by default, Sync uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption, and lists outside security audits by Cure53 and Trail of Bits. Check your own company’s rules, and use a business plan with training turned off for client data. ## “Listed on Stepthrough” badge Add this badge to the Obsidian website, press page or docs. It links to this page, so your visitors can see the listing. Copy the HTML ```text Listed on Stepthrough ``` Checked against Obsidian’s official site on October 20, 2026: [source 1](https://obsidian.md), [source 2](https://obsidian.md/security). Spotted something out of date? Email [rbreen@ynteractive.com](mailto:rbreen@ynteractive.com). Listings are free; [submit your AI tool](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/submit). [The full AI tools directory](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools) · [Productivity & tasks](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/productivity-tasks) · [Tool comparisons](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/compare)