Obsidian

Frequently Asked Questions about Obsidian

Who are Obsidian?

Obsidian is a note-taking and personal knowledge management application developed by Dynalist. It focuses on helping users create a network of linked thoughts, enabling a unique approach to note-taking and organisation through a markdown-based system.

What are Obsidians products?

Obsidian primarily offers a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, along with mobile applications for iOS and Android. The core product is the note-taking software that allows users to create, organise, and connect notes using markdown formatting.

What services do Obsidian offer?

Obsidian provides a software platform for personal knowledge management. The application includes features for linking notes, graph view visualisation, customisation options, and plugin support for extended functionality. They also offer a community forum for support and collaboration.

What type of companies do Obsidians products suit?

Obsidians products are suitable for individuals, freelancers, students, researchers, and professionals in various industries who require an efficient way to manage personal knowledge, research, or project documentation.

How much does Obsidians product cost?

Obsidian is free to use for personal use. However, they offer a paid subscription for Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish, which provide additional features such as synchronisation across devices and the ability to publish notes online.

Does Obsidian offer a free trial?

Obsidian does not offer a traditional free trial for its paid features, as the core application is free for personal use. Users can explore the basic functionalities before deciding to purchase premium services.

What discounts does Obsidian offer on their products?

Obsidian does not typically offer discounts on their products. Pricing for premium features such as Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish is fixed, with occasional promotions announced on their official website or community forum.

Are there any hidden fees or additional costs with Obsidian?

There are no hidden fees associated with the use of Obsidian. Users can utilise the basic features of the application free of charge, whilst premium features come at a clearly stated cost.

Who uses Obsidians products?

Obsidian is used by a diverse range of individuals, including students, academics, writers, content creators, and professionals across various fields who wish to enhance their note-taking and organisational capabilities.

What are the main features of Obsidians products/services?

Main features of Obsidian include bidirectional linking of notes, a graph view for visualising connections, markdown support, customisation options through themes and plugins, and offline access to notes.

How does Obsidian compare to its competitors?

Obsidian is distinctive due to its focus on local storage and privacy, allowing users to keep their notes on their own devices. Compared to competitors like Notion or Evernote, it offers more flexibility in terms of linking notes and customisation, although it may have a steeper learning curve for new users.

Is Obsidians platform easy to use?

Obsidians platform has a user-friendly interface, but the extensive features and capabilities may require some time for new users to fully understand. The availability of tutorials and community resources can assist users in navigating the platform.

How easy is it to set up Obsidians product or service?

Setting up Obsidian is straightforward. Users can download the application, install it, and start creating notes immediately. The process is designed to be intuitive, with various resources available for guidance.

Is Obsidian reliable?

Obsidian is generally considered reliable, with regular updates and a strong user community providing feedback and support. The application is designed for offline use, ensuring that notes are accessible without an internet connection.

Does Obsidian offer customer support?

Obsidian offers community support through its forums and Discord channel. While there is no dedicated customer service team, the active user community provides assistance and shares solutions to common issues.

How secure is Obsidian’s platform?

Obsidian prioritises user privacy and security by allowing users to store their notes locally on their devices. For those using Obsidian Sync, data is encrypted during transmission. Users retain full control over their data.

Does Obsidian integrate with other tools or platforms?

Obsidian supports integration with various third-party plugins, allowing users to extend functionality and connect with other tools. However, direct integrations may be limited compared to more mainstream applications.

Can I use Obsidian on mobile devices?

Yes, Obsidian offers mobile applications for both iOS and Android, enabling users to access and edit their notes on the go, synchronised with their desktop application if using Obsidian Sync.

What do users say about Obsidian?

Users generally praise Obsidian for its powerful linking and markdown capabilities, flexibility, and customisation options. Some users note the learning curve and complexity as potential drawbacks, particularly for those new to knowledge management systems.

What are the pros and cons of Obsidian?

Pros: Powerful linking capabilities, local storage for privacy, extensive customisation options, strong community support.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, limited direct integrations, reliance on user-generated plugins for extended functionalities.

How can I purchase Obsidian’s services?

Users can purchase Obsidians premium services directly through the Obsidian website. Payment options are available for features like Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish.

What is the cancellation or refund policy for Obsidian?

Obsidian does not have a formal cancellation policy for subscriptions, as the services are subscription-based. Users are encouraged to review the terms of service on the website for specific details regarding refunds or cancellations.

What are the common use cases for Obsidian?

Common use cases for Obsidian include academic research, project management, personal journaling, content creation, and maintaining a knowledge base for various topics of interest.

Why choose Obsidian over other options?

Obsidian is preferred by users who value privacy, local storage, and the ability to create complex interconnections between notes. Its customisation options and community-driven approach also appeal to those looking for a tailored note-taking experience.

How easy is it to set up Obsidian?

Setting up Obsidian is user-friendly, requiring only a download and installation process. Users can quickly begin creating notes and exploring features, with additional resources available for deeper functionality.

Does Obsidian offer training or tutorials?

Obsidian does not provide formal training but has a wealth of community-generated tutorials, videos, and documentation available on their website and forums to help users learn the platform.

What languages does Obsidian support?

Obsidian primarily supports English, but the community has contributed translations and language packs for several other languages. Users can find these resources within the community forums.

What problems does Obsidian solve?

Obsidian addresses issues related to note organisation, knowledge retention, and personal productivity by enabling users to create interconnected notes that enhance understanding and retrieval of information.

Is Obsidian worth the investment?

For users seeking a robust and customisable note-taking solution that prioritises privacy and local storage, Obsidian is generally considered a worthwhile investment, particularly for those who engage in extensive writing or research.