CherryTreeLinux
vs
ObsidianWindows
CherryTree as a Linux alternative to Obsidian
Updated
Our verdict
CherryTree is a decent replacement for Obsidian if you prioritize rich text formatting, local storage, and hierarchical organization over bidirectional linking and graph-based knowledge mapping. It stores notes locally and supports fast search, export, and customization, but lacks Markdown-first editing and true bidirectional links. It suits users who want a single encrypted document for notes, code snippets, and embedded media, especially if they don’t rely on link graphs or plain-text Markdown workflows. Not ideal for Obsidian users focused on networked thought or publishing.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- b'1.7.2' (November 11, 2011)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Stores all notes locally in a single file (XML or SQLite)
- Supports fast search, find/replace, and spell check
- Allows embedding images, tables, code blocks with syntax highlighting
- Offers export to PDF, HTML, and plain text
- Works offline with no forced cloud sync
What is different
- No native Markdown editing — uses rich text instead of plain text files
- No bidirectional links or graph view of note connections
- Hierarchy is tree-based, not tag- or link-driven like Obsidian
- No plugin system or community themes
- Interface is desktop-focused, not cross-platform with mobile sync
Opening your Obsidian files
CherryTree cannot directly open Obsidian's Markdown files, especially those relying on bidirectional links or YAML frontmatter. While you can import plain text or HTML from Obsidian exports, formatting and links won't carry over automatically. Exporting from Obsidian to HTML and then importing into CherryTree may preserve basic content, but structure and linking will be lost. There’s no built-in tool to convert Obsidian vaults to CherryTree format.
Switching from Obsidian to CherryTree, step by step
- Export your Obsidian notes to HTML or plain text using Obsidian or a plugin
- Open CherryTree and create a new document
- Manually import or copy-paste converted notes into nodes
- Rebuild hierarchy using CherryTree’s tree structure
- Use Find/Replace to fix links or formatting inconsistencies
Key features of CherryTree
- Hierarchical tree-structured notes
- Rich text with images, tables, and lists
- Syntax highlighting for code blocks
- Password protection for nodes
- Export to PDF, HTML, and plain text
- Import from other note apps
- Spell check and find/replace tools
- Stores data in XML or SQLite
How to install CherryTree on Linux
flatpak install flathub net.giuspen.cherrytreesudo apt install cherrytreesudo apt install cherrytreesudo pacman -S cherrytreesudo zypper install cherrytreeFrequently asked questions
Can CherryTree display a graph view like Obsidian?
No, CherryTree does not have a graph or network view of note connections. Relationships between notes must be managed manually through hyperlinks or hierarchy.
Does CherryTree support Markdown files?
No, CherryTree uses rich text formatting and stores content in XML or SQLite. It does not natively edit or save Markdown files.
Can I sync CherryTree notes across devices?
You can sync the single CherryTree file (e.g., .ctb) using any file sync tool like Syncthing or Dropbox, but there’s no built-in sync or mobile app support.
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