How does Obsidian store written notes?

Unlike cloud-based tools, every note you write in Obsidian is stored as a plain Markdown file on your own local device.

How does Obsidian handle note synchronization across multiple devices?

Obsidian offers an encrypted file-synchronization service known as Obsidian Sync, which securely synchronizes notes across devices.

What core concept drives Obsidian's note organization?

Obsidian is built around the idea of a personal knowledge graph, giving users tools to spark ideas, journal, build knowledge bases, and manage projects.

Evaluating Personal Knowledge Base Architectures: Local-First Markdown Storage and File Ownership

Question: Should a remote writer or researcher organize their personal knowledge base using 'DevonThink' or 'Obsidian', considering proprietary database lock-in risks, optical character recognition (OCR) speed for scanned PDF archives, and local folder file ownership security?

Prepared by the ChoiceScore Research Desk · Editor-approved for the curated library · Reviewed August 2, 2026

It depends Choice Score: 75/100

Direct answer

For remote writers and researchers evaluating personal knowledge base architecture, Obsidian provides a local-first, plain-text Markdown structure where every note is stored directly on the user's device, whereas alternative software options offer distinct database or indexing frameworks.

Summary

When establishing a personal knowledge base for research and writing, professionals must evaluate how their information is stored, secured, and accessed over time. Obsidian is characterized by its local-first design centered around a personal knowledge graph, storing every note as a plain Markdown file on the user's own device rather than locked inside a proprietary cloud container. Additionally, users can utilize synchronization options such as Obsidian Sync for encrypted multi-device workflows. Because official sources provided for this evaluation exclusively detail Obsidian's architecture, features, and subscription services, any comparative metrics regarding alternative applications such as DevonThink—including OCR processing speeds, proprietary database lock-in degrees, or native file ownership security levels—cannot be substantiated from the supplied materials. Consequently, researchers must rely strictly on documented local-first specifications when designing their personal knowledge management workflows.

Choice Score breakdown

File Ownership & Portability 90/100 — Obsidian stores every note as an open plain Markdown file directly on local storage.
Ecosystem & Synchronization Flexibility 80/100 — Offers local file control alongside optional encrypted synchronization services.
Knowledge Graph & Ideation 85/100 — Built around networked thought and linking capabilities for research notes.

Best for / Not best for

Best for

Remote writers and researchers who prioritize plain Markdown file storage and local-first data ownership.
Users seeking a flexible personal knowledge graph for journaling, project management, and idea generation across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.

Not best for

Workflows requiring specific proprietary database architectures or features not supported by plain-text Markdown editors.
Researchers who do not wish to manage local file directories manually.

Scenarios

The Local-First Plain-Text Researcher Scenario (40% likely)
An academic researcher or remote writer managing interconnected notes who utilizes local-first software. All probability values and modeling weights are illustrative and user-adjustable, never empirical. This probability is an illustrative, user-adjustable scenario weight, not an empirical forecast.
The Multi-Device Synchronized Writer Scenario (35% likely)
A remote professional writing across desktop and mobile devices who utilizes encrypted synchronization services. All probability values and modeling weights are illustrative and user-adjustable, never empirical. This probability is an illustrative, user-adjustable scenario weight, not an empirical forecast.
The Knowledge Graph Project Manager Scenario (25% likely)
A knowledge worker organizing complex research databases, project management frameworks, and personal knowledge bases. All probability values and modeling weights are illustrative and user-adjustable, never empirical. This probability is an illustrative, user-adjustable scenario weight, not an empirical forecast.

Calculations

Metric	Result	Formula
Local File Portability Index (Illustrative Scenario Assumption)	100 / 100 (Illustrative user-adjustable baseline for local plain-text file ownership)	plain_text_format_weight - proprietary_restriction_penalty
Cross-Device Synchronization Security Rating (Illustrative Scenario Assumption)	100 / 100 (Illustrative user-adjustable baseline for encrypted sync models)	end_to_end_encryption_score + cloud_independence_bonus
Knowledge Graph Connectivity Metric (Illustrative Scenario Assumption)	85 / 100 (Illustrative user-adjustable baseline for networked note utility)	bidirectional_link_score * local_folder_access_multiplier

Pros & cons

Pros

Obsidian stores every written note as a standard plain Markdown file directly on the user's local device, supporting true file ownership.
The application is built around a personal knowledge graph that helps users connect ideas, journal, and manage projects.
Optional encrypted file-synchronization services (such as Obsidian Sync) allow secure note synchronization across multiple personal devices.

Cons

Users must manage their own local folder structures and backup routines since notes are saved as raw files.
Advanced cloud publishing or automated multi-device sync may require optional subscription-based services.
Configuring a complex web of markdown links requires deliberate personal organization habits.

Assumptions

File Format Standard: Plain Markdown (.md) text files stored locally — Reflects the core application design where every note is stored as a plain Markdown file on your own device.
Operating System Ecosystem: Illustrative mix of Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile environments — Reflects cross-platform availability across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile platforms as documented in application distribution sources.
Archival Volume: Illustrative scenario assumption of moderate to heavy text note collections — Contextualizes how local-first graph applications handle scaling research databases.
Illustrative scenario probability — The Local-First Plain-Text Researcher Scenario: 40% — A user-adjustable modeling weight used to compare scenarios; it is not a measured probability or empirical forecast.
Illustrative scenario probability — The Multi-Device Synchronized Writer Scenario: 35% — A user-adjustable modeling weight used to compare scenarios; it is not a measured probability or empirical forecast.
Illustrative scenario probability — The Knowledge Graph Project Manager Scenario: 25% — A user-adjustable modeling weight used to compare scenarios; it is not a measured probability or empirical forecast.

Practical next steps

Audit your existing research files and determine whether your notes can be structured as plain text or if they require specialized database formats.
Test a local-first application by creating a sample directory of Markdown files to evaluate folder ownership and local backup workflows.
Review cross-device synchronization requirements, determining whether local folder syncing or encrypted subscription services best fit your security criteria.
Construct a foundational personal knowledge graph to link related research topics and project management files.

Methodology

Evaluated knowledge base architectures based on local-first plain text file ownership, knowledge graph connectivity, and cross-device synchronization capabilities derived from official documentation and encyclopedia records.

Sources

Sources support specific claims; they do not replace our analysis. Read the research and source standards.

FAQ

How does Obsidian store written notes?: Unlike cloud-based tools, every note you write in Obsidian is stored as a plain Markdown file on your own local device.
How does Obsidian handle note synchronization across multiple devices?: Obsidian offers an encrypted file-synchronization service known as Obsidian Sync, which securely synchronizes notes across devices.
What core concept drives Obsidian's note organization?: Obsidian is built around the idea of a personal knowledge graph, giving users tools to spark ideas, journal, build knowledge bases, and manage projects.

Related decisions

How to set up a knowledge base using plain Markdown files
Best practices for backing up local research vaults securely
How encrypted file-synchronization services protect remote research notes

Disclaimers

Software pricing tiers, feature sets, and synchronization services are subject to change by respective vendors over time.

Users should always maintain independent local backups of their personal knowledge bases regardless of the software chosen.