Joplin vs Obsidian

Joplin is an open-source note app with local Markdown files but lacks Obsidian’s graph and plugin ecosystem.

JoplinOpen-source note-taking with sync and encryption

ObsidianPrivate Markdown notes stored as local files

Which to pick

Pick Joplin if you want…

Encrypted, syncable notes
Open-source encrypted notes
Open-source code (laurent22/joplin on GitHub)
Integrations with Windows, macOS or Linux (on Joplin's list, not Obsidian's)

Pick Obsidian if you want…

Local-first markdown knowledge base
Integrations with Markdown, Obsidian Sync or Obsidian Publish (on Obsidian's list, not Joplin's)

Side by side

What it is: Joplin:Joplin is an open-source note-taking app with sync, encryption and collaboration features.; Obsidian:Obsidian is a free, local-first Markdown note-taking app that lets you build a personal knowledge base.
Best for: Joplin:Encrypted, syncable notes; Obsidian:Local-first markdown knowledge base
Who it’s for: Joplin:Individuals and teams needing secure, cross-device notes.; Obsidian:Individuals and teams who want private, offline-first note taking and knowledge management.
Pricing: Joplin:Freemium; Obsidian:Freemium
Plans: Joplin:Basic 2.99€ per month · Pro 5.99€ per month · Pro 100 GB 9.99€ per month · Teams 7.99€ per month; Obsidian:Sync $4USD per user, per month, billed an · Sync $5USD per user, per month, billed mo · Publish $8USD per site, per month, billed an · Publish $10USD per site, per month, billed mo · Catalyst $25USD one-time
Open source: Joplin:Yes, 56,630 GitHub stars; Obsidian:—
Works with: Joplin:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Dropbox, OneDrive, Joplin Cloud; Obsidian:Markdown, Obsidian Sync, Obsidian Publish

Joplin features

Multimedia notes. Add images, videos, PDFs, audio and math expressions to notes.
Web clipper. Save web pages or screenshots as notes via Chrome/Firefox extensions.
End-to-End Encryption. All notes are encrypted so only you can read them.
Cross-platform sync. Sync notes across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS via cloud services.
Collaboration. Share notebooks, publish notes online and work together in real time.
Plugins & themes. Extend functionality with plugins, custom themes and scripts.

Obsidian features

Local Markdown files. Notes are stored as plain-text Markdown files on your device, giving you full ownership.
Bidirectional linking. Create links between notes to build a personal wiki and see connections in a graph view.
Canvas workspace. An infinite canvas for brainstorming, diagramming and visual research.
Extensible plugins. Thousands of community plugins and an open API let you customize the app to fit any workflow.
Obsidian Sync. End-to-end encrypted sync across devices with version history and selective file sync.
Obsidian Publish. Turn a vault into a fast, SEO-friendly public website or digital garden with custom themes.
Collaboration. Shared vaults let multiple users edit notes together while keeping data private.

Joplin vs Obsidian FAQ

Is Joplin or Obsidian free?+

Joplin has a free plan and paid plans. Obsidian has a free plan and paid plans.

Is Joplin or Obsidian open source?+

Joplin is open source (laurent22/joplin on GitHub). DevHunt has no public source repository on record for Obsidian.

Do Joplin and Obsidian integrate with the same tools?+

Their integration lists don't overlap: Joplin lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and 6 more; Obsidian lists Markdown, Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish.

On DevHunt

Joplin

Listed by DevHunt

Joplin on DevHunt →Joplin alternatives

Obsidian