Obsidian for students comes with a discount on the paid services Sync and Publish. According to the provider, the Obsidian app itself is free and usable without restrictions. This guide shows which prices the provider states in US dollars, how the 40 percent discount works and what happens after your studies.
Short answer: According to the provider, the Obsidian app is free and usable without restrictions. Students get 40 percent off Sync and Publish. The provider states prices only in US dollars, for Sync about 4 USD per user and month with annual billing. The proof requirements are on a separate help page. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
The key points at a glance
- According to the provider, the app is free, requires no sign-up and has no restrictions.
- The student discount is 40 percent on Sync and Publish.
- The provider states prices only in US dollars. A euro conversion depends on the exchange rate.
- The page does not list the commercial licence as discounted. It costs 50 USD per user and year, according to the page.
- A separate help page of the provider sets out the proof requirements.
Is Obsidian free for students?
According to the provider’s website, the app itself is free and usable without restrictions, and no sign-up is needed. Only the add-on services Sync and Publish cost money. For private use, the page names no restrictions. If you only want to manage notes on your own device, the app is all you need.
Offer at a glance
| Service | Regular price | Student price | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian app | Free, without restrictions according to the provider | Free | Unlimited according to the page | No sign-up required |
| Sync (synchronisation) | 4 USD per user and month with annual billing, 5 USD with monthly billing | 40 percent off | Monthly or annual billing | Proof via separate help page |
| Publish (publication) | 8 USD per site and month with annual billing, 10 USD with monthly billing | 40 percent off | Monthly or annual billing | Proof via separate help page |
Source: the provider’s pricing page, last updated October 2026. All prices in US dollars, not converted.
How much does Sync cost with the student discount?
The provider states 4 US dollars per user and month for Sync with annual billing, and 5 US dollars with monthly billing. Assumption: you pay for Sync annually and receive the 40 percent discount. Then 4 USD minus 40 percent gives 2.40 USD per month. This calculation is not a price stated by the provider, but an example based on the stated figures, without conversion into euros.
Does the discount also apply to Publish and the commercial licence?
According to the page, the discount applies to Sync and Publish. For Publish, the provider charges per website, not per user, at 8 USD per month with annual billing. The commercial licence, which the provider recommends for professional use within an organisation, costs 50 USD per user and year according to the page. The page names no student discount for this licence, so check this before you buy.
Who should use Obsidian at university?
Obsidian suits people who work with notes that they keep on their own device and want to link together. The app is usable without a subscription. You only need Sync if you want to keep notes in step across several devices. Publish is only needed if you want to publish notes as a website. If you prefer a cloud tool with team features, see the comparison in Notion for Students: Offer, Price and Use During Your Studies.
For term papers and theses, your university decides the form of submission. Whether notes in a knowledge base are allowed is not a question of price. Record your sources so that you can cite them later.
How to activate the offer
- Download the free app from obsidian.md and check whether it meets your needs.
- For Sync or Publish, open the pricing page at obsidian.md/pricing and choose a plan.
- Read the note on the student discount and the separate help page on proof before you pay.
- Have your proof ready if the provider asks for it. The page does not list the exact documents.
What happens after your studies?
The app stays free to use after your studies, and the page names no restriction for it. The discount, however, is tied to status as a student, lecturer or employee of a non-profit organisation. The page names no transition period. If you still need Sync or Publish after your studies, plan for the regular price and read the provider’s terms before you switch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Obsidian app really without restrictions?
According to the provider’s website, the app has no restrictions and requires no sign-up. For professional use, the provider recommends a commercial licence but does not require it. If you use the app at work, read the section on the licence.
Why does the provider quote prices in dollars?
The pricing page only lists US dollars and does not explain why no euro prices are given. Convert the amount at the current exchange rate. The provider states no rate, so every euro figure in this guide is a calculation, not a stated price.
Does the discount also apply to lecturers?
According to the page, it does, as well as to employees of non-profit organisations. Which proof applies is stated on the provider’s help page.
Can I combine the discount with other offers?
The provider writes that it offers no other discounts or promotions. A combination with other offers is therefore not provided for.
What to do now
- Install the app before you pay, and check whether you need Sync or Publish at all.
- Convert the price into euros at the current rate and compare monthly with annual billing.
- Read the help page on proof before you apply for the student discount.
- Before your studies end, take a look at the prices, so that no subscription becomes more expensive without you noticing.
Related guides
- Student Discounts on Software and Apps 2026: Overview
- Notion for Students: Offer, Price and Use During Your Studies
- Reference Tools for Studies: Zotero, Citavi, Overleaf and Obsidian
- When student status ends: subscriptions, licences and deadlines
Sources: Obsidian, pricing page (last updated October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
