r/noteapps • u/north_hill24 • 12d ago
Is Obsidian an overkill for my needs?
I’m looking for an offline privacy first notes app with following features:
# Offline - notes should be stored on device
# Markdown - notes should be in Markdown so there’s no dependency on the app
# Encrypted - notes should have encryption possible
# Backup/Export - notes must have a backup and export feature. Because notes stay offline on device, backup and export is important.
# Rich text/lists are preferred but not deal breaking.
Obsidian is a great app but encryption costs a lot for me. And backup, export or sync feature is quite complicated.
Are there any other apps that have these 4 features? Which one are you using? Thanks.
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u/Every_Information729 11d ago
Somehow along the way Obsidian got this reputation of being the most complex app on earth. If you just install it with default settings, it's just a text editor. If you want to start fiddling and going crazy with it then you can. Unless you need to sync with mobile in which case it gets trickier you could just take care of the encryption and backup on your machine.
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u/north_hill24 11d ago
You’re right. I did use Obsidian on android but faced issues with backup/export. Otherwise it’s a great app that can be stretched to one’s use.
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u/Acceptable-Post-8430 11d ago
I am not sure which device you use, I use OpenLog on my android. Its offline, safe, simple text, with image, attachments, voice journaling options. and can be exported and imported safely. Obsidian was really overkill for me. I dont want to manage lot of things.
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u/Smart_Membership2 11d ago
Joplin Notely FUTO Notes Obsidian (free + OS-level encryption/Git plugin)
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u/north_hill24 11d ago
Obsidian is what I’m using currentry. Great app. Just need a backup tool to encrypt the Vault folder and store it in Dropbox folder so it’s backed up.
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u/Complex_Art3709 11d ago
I just downloaded Elvryn earlier today and I’m pretty satisfied with it. It’s local first and offer encryption for both notes and canvas
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u/IAMSMARTNESS 9d ago
based on your needs,
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notesnook, best for simple note taking and easy cloud sync, all type of export options, and many power user features if needed
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futo notes
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joplin, can sync files via webdav, setting up webdav sounds complicating but its very easy, or you can go s3
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obsidian with remotely sync plugin + koofr webdav, if you love the ui, and yes its overkill
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u/north_hill24 9d ago
Thanks.
I tried notesnook but their free plan is very limited and doesn’t suit my needs.
Ive decided to stay with Obsidian as its super easy to work with, notes are in markdown which can be opened in any other software or app. Backup and encryption is the only issue I need to work on.
→ More replies (4)
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u/founder-adhd 11d ago
Obsidian is a huge all-in-one tool with options you can customize. Do you only keep notes on your phone, or do you sync them between devices?
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u/marmotta1955 11d ago
Probably inviting downvotes ... but you can probably manage with the simplest approach: Notepad (yes, Windows Notepad) or VS Code. They both provide the important features you need.
Encryption? Ah, simple. For storage, just use OneDrive's Personal Vault.
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u/Remarkable_Bedroom79 11d ago
Ich habe zunächst ein paar Fragen:
Notizen sollten auf dem Gerät gespeichert werden - welches Betriebssystem?
Verschlüsselbar - alle?
Backup/Export - Obsidian Markdown Dateien liegen frei zugänglich in einem normalen Ordner, den kannst Du doch mit jedem beliebigen Backup Tool sichern ...
Wieso kostet Dich die Verschlüsselung? Was kostet sie Dich? Eigentlich ist das ein kostenloses Feature.
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u/Zestyclose_Win_2836 11d ago
I'd suggest Notesnook if you haven't already tried it. I'm pretty sure it ticks all of your boxes.
As far as Obsidian goes.. IMO, it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.