How to Build Your Own Obsidian
Replace Obsidian with a custom build. Sharpen your thinking
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 24 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 24 features
Plugin(5 features)
Calendar view of your daily notes by Liam Cain
Advanced queries for the data-obsessed by Michael Brenan
Markdown-backed kanban boards by Matthew Meyers
Work with your lists by Viacheslav Slinko
Track tasks across your entire vault by Martin Schenck and Clare Macrae
Publishing(4 features)
Obsidian Publish sites are fast, mobile-friendly, and optimized for SEO with no configuration required
Turn your notes into an online wiki, knowledge base, documentation, or digital garden
Control the look and feel of your site with themes, custom domains, and password protection
Publish your notes instantly from the Obsidian app and make it easy for readers to explore your web of ideas
Privacy & Security(2 features)
Apps do not collect telemetry data and never sell user data
Obsidian stores notes privately on your device, accessible offline with no one else able to read them
Synchronization(2 features)
Decide which files and preferences you want to sync to which devices
Access your notes on any device with end-to-end encryption and secure synchronization
Visualization(2 features)
An infinite space to research, brainstorm, diagram, and lay out ideas in a limitless playground for the mind
Visualize relationships between notes and find hidden patterns in your thinking through an interactive graph
Collaboration(1 features)
Work with your team on shared files without compromising private data
Customization(1 features)
Thousands of plugins and themes available with open API to tailor Obsidian to personal workflow
Data Ownership(1 features)
Uses open file formats so you're never locked in and own your data for the long term
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Obsidian
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 24 features at very easy complexity.