Obsidian vs Flatnotes
Flatnotes is a narrower, open-source alternative for people who want a self-hosted browser interface over plain Markdown, with search, tags, and wikilinks but no folder hierarchy. Choose Flatnotes for a simple, centrally hosted note collection you are prepared to operate; choose Obsidian when device-local vaults, graph exploration, encrypted cross-device sync, real-time shared vaults, or hosted publishing are central
Decision guide
The practical reasons to choose either option, based on documented capabilities.
Choose Flatnotes if
- Individuals wanting a minimal web interface for a flat collection of Markdown notes
- Self-hosters who want database-free storage and Docker deployment
- Users who organize notes through full-text search, tags, and wikilinks rather than folders or notebooks
Stay with Obsidian if
- You need a documented encrypted cross-device synchronization service with version history
- You need graph-based exploration; the supplied Flatnotes feature list documents search and wikilinks, but not a graph view
- You need real-time shared vaults or simultaneous collaborative editing by default; these are not documented for Flatnotes despite its authentication options and REST API case for browser access? Better wording needed: "a
Deployment and operations
Flatnotes is MIT-licensed and self-hostable. The repository recommends Docker and provides Docker Run and Compose configurations with a persistent /data volume. A PikaPods hosting route is also documented. No Kubernetes deployment is supplied. Operators are responsible for hosting, authentication configuration, persistent storage, upgrades, and backups; the supplied material does not document managed maintenance.
Migration considerations
Flatnotes stores notes as ordinary Markdown files and permits external file changes while it is running, which can simplify moving compatible Markdown content. However, it deliberately has no folders or notebooks, so an Obsidian vault that relies on directory structure may require flattening or a revised organization scheme. Wikilinks are supported, but the sources do not establish full Obsidian syntax, metadata, plugin, attachment, or settings compatibility.
Feature fit
What Flatnotes covers
- Markdown note editing
- Full-text note search
- Wikilinks between notes
- Local control of note files
- Light and dark themes
What’s different or missing
- No documented graph view
- No documented encrypted device sync
- No documented sync version history
- No documented real-time shared vaults
- No documented web publishing workflow
- No folder or notebook hierarchy
Project snapshot
- GitHub stars
- 3,179
- Contributors
- 16
- Language
- Vue
- Last commit
- Aug 2, 2026
- Latest release
- Oct 20, 2025
Categories: Document Collaboration, Knowledge Management, Note Taking, File Sync & Storage, Calendars & Scheduling, Task Management
Sources and editorial review9 linked sources
Public documentation supports this comparison. Automation assists collection and classification; editorial standards and corrections remain the responsibility of Kris.
A self-hosted, database-less note-taking web app that utilises a flat folder of markdown files for storage.
readme · github.comWikilink support to easily link to other notes (`[[My Other Note]]`).
readme · github.comAdvanced search functionality.
readme · github.comYour notes are just markdown files.
readme · github.comThe recommendation is to use Docker.
readme · github.comNo folders, notebooks or anything like that. Just all of your notes, backed by powerful search and tagging functionality.
verdict · github.comWikilink support to easily link to other notes (`[[My Other Note]]`).
shared feature · github.comIf you'd prefer to host flatnotes yourself then the recommendation is to use Docker.
deployment · github.comYour notes are just markdown files. There's no database, proprietary formatting, complicated folder structures or anything like that. You're free at any point to just move the files elsewhere and use another app.
migration · github.com
