Big news for note-takers! Obsidian, the popular knowledge management tool known for its flexibility and power, has just announced that its Commercial license is now optional. This means anyone can use Obsidian for work, completely free of charge.

Previously, companies with two or more employees using Obsidian for work purposes were required to purchase Commercial licenses.

This change simplifies the licensing structure and aligns with Obsidian’s core principle: “we believe that everyone should have the tools to think clearly and organize ideas effectively.”

What’s Changing?

Absolutely nothing, except the licensing. Obsidian remains the same powerful, privacy-focused tool it always has been.

No accounts are required, there are no ads or tracking, and your data remains entirely under your control, stored locally in plain text Markdown files.

All features are available for free, without any limitations.

Why the Change?

The Obsidian team recognized that the Commercial license terms were confusing and created unnecessary complexity.

This move towards a simpler, more accessible model reflects their commitment to making Obsidian available to everyone.

Trusted by Thousands of Organizations

Over 10,000 organizations, including large enterprises like Amazon and Google, already use Obsidian.

Its focus on local data storage and privacy makes it a popular choice for teams working in high-security environments, such as government, cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance.

Support Obsidian and Get Featured

While the Commercial license is no longer required, organizations can still purchase licenses to support Obsidian’s development.

Those purchasing 25 or more licenses will be featured on the new Obsidian Enterprise page, gaining visibility and demonstrating their commitment to the platform.

This is similar to the Catalyst license that allows individuals to support Obsidian.

Optional Add-on Services

Obsidian also offers optional paid add-on services like Sync and Publish, which contribute to its 100% user-supported model.

The team plans to introduce more team-focused services in the future, all of which will remain optional.