Obsidian Review 2025: The Best Local Note-Taking App for a Second Brain

Obsidian is a modern note-taking app designed for working with Markdown-formatted text. Launched in 2020, it quickly gained popularity among those building a so-called "second brain"-a personal knowledge management system. Unlike cloud-based services, Obsidian stores your data locally on your device, making it one of the most private note-taking solutions in 2025.

Main Features

• Free plan: Full basic access without restrictions
• Paid plans: Starting at $5/month (adds sync and extra features)
• Platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
• Highlights:
  • Notes stored in Markdown format
  • "Graph view" for visualizing note connections
  • Fully offline functionality
  • Plugin and theme support for customization

Advantages

• Complete control over your notes-everything is stored locally
• Ability to build complex knowledge systems ("second brain")
• Flexible customization through plugins and themes
• Works offline without an internet connection
• Free access to all core features

Drawbacks

• Steep learning curve-can be challenging for beginners
• Paid subscription required for device sync
• Less convenient for quick notes and to-do lists

Who Is Obsidian For?

• Users looking to build a personal knowledge base
• Anyone working with large volumes of text and notes
• People who want full control of their data without the cloud
• Productivity enthusiasts using "second brain" methodologies

Conclusion

Obsidian is the top choice for advanced users who want flexibility and full control over their notes. In 2025, it remains one of the most powerful knowledge management tools-especially if you want to organize a "second brain" and keep your notes stored locally.

See the full ranking: Top 7 Note-Taking Apps for 2025