Linux · Office
Obsidian
Obsidian is a markdown‑based knowledge‑base app that stores notes as plain‑text files in a local folder.
- License
- LicenseRef-proprietary=https://obsidian…
- Latest version
- 1.14.4 (October 5, 2026)
- Developer
- Obsidian
- Installs
- 72,244 (Flathub, 30 days)
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian grew out of a community of note‑takers who wanted a desktop‑first, markdown‑centric tool. It has been maintained for several years and is now at version 1.14.4, showing a mature code base and regular updates via Flatpak. The app works on a local folder of plain‑text files, so your data stays under your control and you can back it up with any method you prefer.
The program targets power users, researchers, and anyone who likes to link ideas together. Its graph view visualises connections between notes, making it feel like a personal wiki. Compared with Notion on Windows, Obsidian feels more like a developer‑oriented editor: there are no built‑in cloud sync or templates unless you add them, but the flexibility of plugins and markdown gives you full control.
On Linux the experience is essentially the same as on Windows, except you install it from Flathub and manage updates through Flatpak. GPU acceleration can be turned off if needed, and automatic updates are handled by Flatpak rather than the app itself. The optional Catalyst license and paid sync/publish services are available if you need them, but the core editor remains free for personal and commercial use.
Best for: Users who want a local, markdown‑driven note system with powerful linking and visualisation.
Key features of Obsidian
- Local plain‑text markdown storage
- Bidirectional linking and graph view
- Support for CommonMark, GFM, LaTeX, mermaid, footnotes
- Tagging system and embedded file previews
- Community plugin ecosystem (20+ official plugins)
- Built‑in demo vault and extensive documentation
- Optional Catalyst license for insider builds
- Flatpak distribution with easy install
Pros
- Data stays in plain files you can version‑control
- Highly extensible via plugins
- Fast graph navigation of linked notes
- Free for all use cases
Cons
- Proprietary license, no source code
- Sync and publishing require paid services
- No native Linux package manager support beyond Flatpak
Windows programs Obsidian replaces
How to install Obsidian on Linux
flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidiansudo pacman -S obsidianTips for Windows users
Your Notion pages will need to be exported as markdown or HTML before importing into Obsidian; the app reads any folder of .md files, so you can simply drop the exported files into a vault. Keyboard shortcuts are similar (Ctrl+N for new note, Ctrl+P for quick switch), but Obsidian relies on markdown syntax for formatting, so you’ll use # for headings, []() for links, and tags with #. Disable automatic updates in the app settings and let Flatpak handle them.
Recent releases
- 1.14.4 —
- 1.13.7 —
- 1.13.6 —
- 1.13.4 —
Obsidian: frequently asked questions
How do I install Obsidian on Linux?
Use Flathub: flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidian. The Flatpak will handle dependencies.
Can I sync my vault across devices on Linux?
Obsidian offers a paid Sync service; otherwise you can use any cloud folder (e.g., Nextcloud) or a git repository to sync the markdown files.
Is there a way to use community plugins on the Flatpak version?
Yes, the Flatpak includes the plugin system; you may need to grant file system access via Flatseal for plugins that require external tools.
Does Obsidian run without GPU acceleration?
Set OBSIDIAN_DISABLE_GPU=1 in Flatseal or your environment to disable GPU rendering if you encounter issues.
Updated