Obsidian vs Zettlr: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to make an informed decision
Obsidian
Obsidian is a free note-taking app that connects your ideas using links, creating a personal knowledge network on your device.
Zettlr
Zettlr is a free open-source Markdown editor designed for researchers, writers, and journalists who need powerful writing tools.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a free note-taking app that connects your ideas using links, creating a personal knowledge network on your device.
Zettlr
Zettlr is a free open-source Markdown editor designed for researchers, writers, and journalists who need powerful writing tools.
Obsidian
Stores notes locally on your device with full privacy
Links notes together to build knowledge networks
Visual graph shows connections between ideas
Canvas for unlimited brainstorming space
Thousands of free community plugins available
Works offline without internet connection
Plain text files you own forever
Mobile apps for phones and tablets
Supports basic text formatting
Free to use with optional paid services
Zettlr
Free and open-source Markdown editor
Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Zettelkasten note-linking system
Zotero and reference manager integration
Export to PDF, Word, HTML formats
Multiple document tabs and split view
Writing statistics and goal tracking
Pomodoro timer built-in
Graph view for note connections
Distraction-free writing mode
Local file storage only
Obsidian
Obsidian is completely free for personal use with all core features included. You get unlimited notes, full plugin access, and complete control over your data at no cost.
For users who want to sync notes across devices, Obsidian Sync offers two plans. The Standard plan costs $4 per month when paid yearly (or $5 monthly) and includes one synced vault with 1GB storage. The Plus plan costs $8 per month yearly (or $10 monthly) with 10GB storage and unlimited vaults.
Obsidian Publish lets you share notes on the web for $8 per month yearly (or $10 monthly) per site, with custom themes and no technical knowledge needed.
The optional Commercial License costs $50 per user yearly for business use, though it became optional in 2025. For one-time supporters, the Catalyst license at $25 gives early access to beta versions and community perks.
Zettlr
Zettlr is completely free to use with no hidden costs or subscription plans. As an open-source project, it is supported by the community through voluntary donations rather than paid licenses.
There are no premium tiers, paid features, or upgrade costs. Every feature is available to all users immediately after installation. This includes all the advanced capabilities like citation management, export options, and the Zettelkasten features.
The project is maintained by volunteers and funded through donations from users who find value in the software. If you want to support development, you can make a voluntary donation through their website, but this is entirely optional. The full application remains free forever for personal, academic, and commercial use under the open-source license.