If you’re looking for a free alternative, check out how to use Markdown files. Obsidian is a popular (but not open-source) program. The beautiful of .md is that it’s plain text and can be easily imported into a variety of applications, including a simple text editor like Notepad. Here’s a good overview video.
Yes, Obsidian is great. The app itself is proprietary but the files are portable plain text. I feel like that makes it pretty future proof. If it ever shuts down or enshittifies, there will be alternatives.
Sync is always paid, and optional. A commercial license and sync are separate.
They list it pretty clearly, but most people probably don’t read it. This is a bit troublesome since it’s in flathub and very easy to install. Probably routinely violated, that’s the danger of proprietary software. https://obsidian.md/license
Commercial Use Licenses are required whenever Obsidian is being used for work for a business with two or more personnel. Sole proprietorships or other one-person organizations do not require a Commercial Use License. Work for educational purposes does not require a Commercial Use License.
They say on their website that as soon as you use it for commercial projects, you need to get a paid plan. Their own sync is only availble on a paid plan iirc, so you should be fine.
I primarily use logseq but have obsidian configured to use the same directory. I then use logseq for journaling and some tag notes that have searches and links kind of built in. Then I have obsidian for wiki or KB type notes. I can then link to parts of that in logseq. I also use obsidian for a few niche situations where the plugins add value. Its not a perfect solution but it works pretty well for me. I also typically use obsidian to folder directory organize my non journal notes, bit really you could just as easily use your file browser for that.
Last I checked, Joplin does not use a folder structure that is easy to port over. Their files are all id’s instead of usable file names, so without Joplin, you won’t be finding anything.
Another option here is GitHub. I keep my markdown notes in a repo that I just clone from there to my various machines… And then I get to edit them in vim. 😂
You can have non-markdown files in your vault, but I’m not sure how readily you can search them by default; there may be plugins that support that use case though.
If you’re looking for a free alternative, check out how to use Markdown files. Obsidian is a popular (but not open-source) program. The beautiful of .md is that it’s plain text and can be easily imported into a variety of applications, including a simple text editor like Notepad. Here’s a good overview video.
Yes, Obsidian is great. The app itself is proprietary but the files are portable plain text. I feel like that makes it pretty future proof. If it ever shuts down or enshittifies, there will be alternatives.
People need to watch out for Obsidian’s license. If you use it for notes for your job there is a strong possibility you need to pay.
I’ve been pleased with Marktext for editing and Joplin for storing notes.
what? I have never heard this about them. is that possibly if you use their sync service?
Sync is always paid, and optional. A commercial license and sync are separate.
They list it pretty clearly, but most people probably don’t read it. This is a bit troublesome since it’s in flathub and very easy to install. Probably routinely violated, that’s the danger of proprietary software. https://obsidian.md/license
Non-profits are also exempted.
They say on their website that as soon as you use it for commercial projects, you need to get a paid plan. Their own sync is only availble on a paid plan iirc, so you should be fine.
Or logseq which is open source.
Or joplin. Or a meriad of other apps
deleted by creator
Its always something isnt it?
I too had issues with some stuff at first. But until I dive into org mode its the best i was getting.
(Im telling this from stumbling through many apps like tiddlywiki, obsidian, joplin, qownnotes, trilliumnotes, standardnotes, and probably more)
I primarily use logseq but have obsidian configured to use the same directory. I then use logseq for journaling and some tag notes that have searches and links kind of built in. Then I have obsidian for wiki or KB type notes. I can then link to parts of that in logseq. I also use obsidian for a few niche situations where the plugins add value. Its not a perfect solution but it works pretty well for me. I also typically use obsidian to folder directory organize my non journal notes, bit really you could just as easily use your file browser for that.
Last I checked, Joplin does not use a folder structure that is easy to port over. Their files are all id’s instead of usable file names, so without Joplin, you won’t be finding anything.
They are still plaintext .MD files though.
Joplin requires you to migrate each notebook individually so it’s fiddly if you have lots of notebooks in lots of folders.
But one you’ve done it you’re free!
Well worth the effort. I downgraded to free Evernote after the last price hike and stopped using it… Now I can delete the app entirely.
Another option here is GitHub. I keep my markdown notes in a repo that I just clone from there to my various machines… And then I get to edit them in vim. 😂
It looks great, but I’m not sure if it’s a good fit for storing and searching documents. Do you think that might work?
You can have non-markdown files in your vault, but I’m not sure how readily you can search them by default; there may be plugins that support that use case though.