Obsidian keeps your notes as plain-text Markdown files on disk, which means anyone with access to your computer can read them. NotePrivate gives you the same local-first, own-your-data philosophy, but every note is encrypted at rest with a key only you hold.
macOS and Windows · You hold the keys · Import from Markdown, Apple Notes, Evernote, Standard Notes and more
The same local-first, own-your-notes idea, but encrypted on disk rather than plain text.
| Capability | NotePrivate | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Local-first, own your data | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted on your own disk | Yes | NoPlain-text files |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | PartialPaid Sync only |
| Per-note password | Yes | No |
| Works fully offline | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in encryption, no setup | Yes | No |
| Plugin ecosystem and graph view | No | Yes |
| Free for personal use | No$59/year | Yes |
Competitor details are a general reading and change over time; verify on the vendor's site.
Obsidian's notes sit on disk as readable Markdown. NotePrivate encrypts your whole vault so a lost or stolen machine does not expose your notes.
Getting encryption in Obsidian means plugins or paid Sync. NotePrivate is encrypted out of the box, with per-note passwords and Touch ID on Mac.
Like Obsidian, your notes are yours and work offline. Unlike Obsidian, export is one click and nothing is stored in the clear.
If you live in Obsidian's plugins and graph view, it is hard to beat. If you want private notes that are encrypted by default, choose NotePrivate.
Your local Obsidian files are plain-text Markdown on disk. Obsidian's paid Sync encrypts data in transit and at rest on their servers, but the files on your computer stay readable. NotePrivate encrypts the vault on your device.
Yes. NotePrivate imports Markdown files and keeps your folder structure.
Yes. Your vault lives on your machine and works fully offline; the difference is that it is encrypted at rest.
Private by design, rich enough to be your only notes app, and yours to keep forever.
NotePrivate is not on sale yet. Leave your email and we will write to you the day it opens.
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