If you manage a distributed workforce, you need a knowledge base that works offline, syncs securely, and scales with headcount. Obsidian’s 2026 lineup offers three paid tiers—Sync, Teams, and Enterprise—plus the free desktop app. This guide compares features, pricing, and ideal use cases so you can select the right vault for your remote team.
Completely free for any number of users.
Small teams that already use a separate file‑sync service (e.g., Dropbox) or need a zero‑cost starter.
$8 USD per user per month (or $80 USD annually, 2‑month discount).
Freelancers or teams of ≤5 people who need secure sync without a full admin console.
$15 USD per user per month, billed annually ($162 USD per user). Volume discounts start at 50 seats (10 % off).
Mid‑size remote teams (5‑50 members) that need controlled access, audit trails, and real‑time co‑authoring.
Starts at $30 USD per user per month (billed annually). Exact price depends on seat count and required compliance add‑ons.
Large enterprises (>50 users) with strict security policies, need for SSO, and custom compliance reporting.
| Plan | Price (per user) | Sync Method | Permissions | Live Collaboration | Support SLA | Best‑for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Desktop | $0 | Manual (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) | None | No | Community forum | Very small teams or pilots |
| Sync | $8 /mo (or $80 /yr) | End‑to‑end encrypted Obsidian cloud | Owner only | No | 24‑hour email | Freelancers, ≤5 members |
| Teams | $15 /mo (annual $162) | Encrypted cloud + admin console | Granular (read/write/admin) | Yes | 24‑hour priority | Mid‑size remote teams (5‑50) |
| Enterprise | From $30 /mo | Encrypted cloud with custom regions | Full RBAC + SSO | Yes | 4‑hour priority + manager | Large orgs, compliance‑heavy |
Sync stores encrypted vault data across devices, while Publish creates a public website from your notes. Sync is for private collaboration; Publish is for sharing knowledge externally.
Yes, the free desktop app works for any number of users, but it lacks built‑in syncing, live collaboration, and admin controls needed for larger teams.
All paid tiers are billed per user per month (or annually). Teams pay for each active member, not per vault.
Yes. Sync and Teams plans get 24‑hour email response. Enterprise gets a dedicated account manager and 4‑hour response SLA.
Obsidian Sync is ISO‑27001 certified, uses end‑to‑end encryption, and supports SSO via SAML for Enterprise customers.
Choosing the right Obsidian tier depends on team size, security needs, and collaboration style. Small groups can start with the free app or Sync. Mid‑size teams benefit from Teams’ permission controls and live editing. Large enterprises should evaluate Enterprise for SSO, compliance, and dedicated support. Test the free version first, then upgrade as your remote workflow matures.