Joplin vs Obsidian: which note-taking app is right for you?
Joplin and Obsidian are two of the most popular Markdown note-taking apps, and both are free to download. They look similar at first glance but follow different philosophies: Joplin is an open-source notebook with built-in sync and encryption, while Obsidian is a freeware knowledge-base tool built around plain files on your disk and an enormous plugin ecosystem.
The two contenders
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Free
Open-source notes and to-dos organised in notebooks, with sync to several cloud services and optional end-to-end encryption.
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Free
A free (not open-source) Markdown editor that turns a folder of files into a linked knowledge base with backlinks and a graph view.
At a glance
| Joplin | Obsidian | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | Open source | Freeware (closed source) |
| Storage | Internal database; export to Markdown at any time | Plain Markdown files in a folder (the "vault") |
| Built-in sync | Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3 or a local folder | Paid Obsidian Sync add-on, or your own file sync |
| Encryption | Optional end-to-end encryption of synced data | End-to-end encrypted with Obsidian Sync |
| Linking | Links between notes | Backlinks, unlinked mentions, graph view, canvas |
| Extensions | Plugins | Very large community plugin and theme catalogue |
| Mobile apps | Android and iOS | Android and iOS |
How they store your notes
Obsidian simply reads and writes Markdown files in a folder you choose. You can open the same notes in any other editor, back them up with ordinary tools and sync them with whatever file service you already use. Joplin keeps notes in its own database and handles sync itself; you can export everything to Markdown whenever you like, but day to day you work through the app.
Sync, privacy and cost
Joplin’s sync is part of the free app: point it at Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, a WebDAV server or a folder, and switch on end-to-end encryption if you want the provider to see only scrambled data. Obsidian is free to use, but its own sync service is a paid add-on; many people instead sync the vault folder with a cloud drive or Git. If you prefer not to pay for anything and want encryption built in, Joplin is the simpler path.
Our verdict
Pick Joplin if you want an open-source app with dependable, encrypted sync and a web clipper, organised in classic notebooks. Pick Obsidian if you want to build a web of linked ideas, care about owning plain files and enjoy customising your tools with plugins. Still undecided? Compare both with Trilium Notes and QOwnNotes in our note-taking apps guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian open source?
No. Obsidian is free to download and use, but its source code is not public. Joplin is open source.
Can I move my notes from Joplin to Obsidian?
Yes. Export your notebooks from Joplin as Markdown and open the resulting folder as an Obsidian vault. Check attachments and internal links after the move.
Which one works better offline?
Both work fully offline. Joplin syncs when a connection is available; Obsidian edits local files and needs no connection at all.
Do I have to pay for sync?
Not with Joplin, which syncs to services you already have. With Obsidian you can pay for Obsidian Sync or sync the vault folder yourself with another tool.
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