Joplin
Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
56.9k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source alternatives to Obsidian
Obsidian is free to use, but its source code is closed. If you want linked notes with backlinks in software you can inspect, fork or self-host, these are the closest open-source options. Foam and Zettlr work directly with plain Markdown files on your disk; SilverBullet is a Markdown knowledge base you run on your own server.
Category: Notes & knowledge bases · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin Active Mixed or custom | Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. | Mixed or custom | 56.9k | Oct 28, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| SiYuan Active AGPL-3.0 | An open-source, privacy-first, self-hosted knowledge workspace where humans and AI agents work together. | AGPL-3.0 | 47.0k | Oct 29, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| Logseq Active AGPL-3.0 | A privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration. | AGPL-3.0 | 45.4k | Oct 25, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
| Trilium Notes Active AGPL-3.0 | Build your personal knowledge base with Trilium Notes. | AGPL-3.0 | 38.6k | Oct 23, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
| Foam Active Mixed or custom | A personal knowledge base inside VS Code: linked Markdown notes, backlinks and a graph view. | Mixed or custom | 17.5k | Oct 28, 2026 | Editor extension | Not confirmed |
| Zettlr Active GPL-3.0 | A Markdown editor for notes and long-form writing, with citations, linked notes and export to many formats. | GPL-3.0 | 13.8k | Oct 25, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
| SilverBullet Active MIT | A self-hosted, browser-based Markdown knowledge base that you can extend with Lua scripts. | MIT | 6.4k | Oct 12, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
Are they still maintained?
7 of 7 Obsidian alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Joplin: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- SiYuan: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Logseq: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Trilium Notes: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Foam: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Zettlr: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- SilverBullet: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from Obsidian costs
Obsidian: current plans and prices are on Obsidian's pricing page.
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
| SiYuan | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
| Logseq | Desktop app | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| Trilium Notes | Your server | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
| Foam | Editor extension | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| Zettlr | Desktop app | $0 (GPL-3.0) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| SilverBullet | Your server | $0 (MIT) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
Self-hosting basics: Trilium Notes and SilverBullet need a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Don't want to run a server? Joplin and SiYuan offer a hosted plan run by the project itself. Prices change, so check each project's site.
Nothing to host: Joplin, SiYuan, Logseq, Foam and Zettlr run on your own computer.
License check: Joplin and Foam do not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using them in a business.
The options in more detail
SiYuan
An open-source, privacy-first, self-hosted knowledge workspace where humans and AI agents work together.
47.0k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Logseq
A privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration.
45.4k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Trilium Notes
Build your personal knowledge base with Trilium Notes.
38.6k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Foam
A personal knowledge base inside VS Code: linked Markdown notes, backlinks and a graph view.
17.5k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Zettlr
A Markdown editor for notes and long-form writing, with citations, linked notes and export to many formats.
13.8k GitHub stars · GPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
SilverBullet
A self-hosted, browser-based Markdown knowledge base that you can extend with Lua scripts.
6.4k GitHub stars · MIT · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Obsidian alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Obsidian?
It depends on how you use Obsidian. Of the 7 options here, Joplin is the most followed on GitHub (56.9k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Oct 28, 2026. If you want an app on your own computer, look at Joplin, SiYuan, Logseq, Foam and Zettlr. If you need something your whole team can log into, look at Trilium Notes and SilverBullet.
Is there a self-hosted Obsidian alternative?
Yes. Trilium Notes and SilverBullet run on a server you control, so your data stays with you. Joplin and SiYuan are desktop apps that can also sync through a server you host yourself. If you'd rather not run a server, Joplin and SiYuan also offer a hosted plan from the people who make them.
Is there a free alternative to Obsidian?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. Joplin, SiYuan, Logseq, Foam and Zettlr install on your own device, so they cost nothing to run. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of Joplin and Foam before using them in a business.
Are these Obsidian alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 7 of 7 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. None are flagged as inactive or archived. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from Obsidian?
The software itself is free. Desktop and device apps (Joplin, SiYuan, Logseq, Foam and Zettlr) cost nothing to run. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. Joplin: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Foam: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
Related swaps
Know a project we missed, or maintain one listed here? Tell us. Maintainers can add a live status badge to their README.
Get new open-source swaps by email
One short email a week: newly listed projects, big releases, and projects that went quiet. No spam.