Obsidian Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Obsidian. Based on analysis of 13 signals.
Overall score: 71/100
Issues by Category
Plugin overload and management headaches
The customizable nature leads to plugin overload. Many plugins are buggy, poorly designed, or lack updates. Users frequently troubleshoot plugin conflicts or deal with plugins that break after Obsidian releases. The plugin ecosystem can be overwhelming to navigate.
No real-time collaboration features
Obsidian is built as a personal knowledge management tool with no real-time collaboration capabilities. Unlike Notion or Google Docs, you cannot work simultaneously with others on the same note. Collaboration requires paid Obsidian Publish add-on, which only shares, not collaborates.
No native task management; databases only arrived with Bases
Obsidian still has no built-in task or project management, so users rely on community plugins like Tasks, Dataview or Kanban, creating fragmented setups. Native database-style table views arrived with the Bases core plugin (early access in 1.9.0, May 2025; available to everyone from 1.9.10, Aug 2025), but reviewers note it is still less flexible than Dataview.
No web version - desktop app required
Unlike Notion or Evernote, there is no web version of Obsidian. You must download and install the app. This limits access from shared computers, Chromebooks, or situations where you can't install software. Your notes aren't accessible from a browser.
Search and index miss new notes in large vaults
Search works for small vaults, but users with large vaults report slow search, and a recurring forum thread describes the index cache getting stuck: new notes do not appear in search, Bases or Dataview, and the 'Rebuild' button in Settings > Files and links sometimes does nothing until Obsidian is force-quit and reopened.
Plain interface lacks visual appeal
Much of the default interface is plain and doesn't have an attractive working environment. While themes exist, achieving a polished look requires theme installation and configuration. Out of the box, it looks utilitarian compared to polished apps like Notion.
Obsidian Sync restores deleted files and creates conflict copies
2026 forum bug reports describe Obsidian Sync resurrecting deleted or moved files when an offline device reconnects, repeatedly restoring deleted files (a thread with 30+ replies), and an iPhone overwriting newer data. Obsidian fixed one cause in mobile 1.12.0 (files overridden when the app closed before saving Sync state) and added a 'Create conflict file' option in 1.9.7, but reports continue.
Free sync alternatives have corruption issues
Users trying to avoid Obsidian Sync by using iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive report sync conflicts, file corruption, and duplication issues. iCloud on Windows is particularly unreliable. Self-hosted alternatives like Syncthing require technical setup.
Obsidian stuck on 'Loading cache' or slow to start on desktop
Users with big vaults or indexing-heavy plugins report startup stalling at 'Loading vault' / 'Loading cache' for minutes. Causes found in forum threads include a single plugin setting (one user went from two minutes to two seconds by turning off Frontmatter Links' 'Add to Graph'), tens of thousands of non-Markdown files, and corrupted cache folders.
Obsidian Sync costs $48-60/year just to use notes on your phone
The core app is free, but official cross-device sync starts at Sync Standard: $4/month billed annually or $5/month billed monthly. Standard covers only 1 vault, 1 GB total storage, 5 MB max file size and 1 month of version history, so users who assumed 'free' meant full multi-device use end up paying or wrestling with iCloud/Dropbox/Syncthing workarounds.
Sync Standard's 1 GB and 5 MB file cap push users to Sync Plus
Sync Standard ($4/month annual, $5 monthly) allows only 1 GB total and 5 MB per file, which PDFs, audio and image-heavy vaults hit quickly. Sync Plus doubles the price to $8/month annual or $10 monthly for 10 GB (upgradable to 100 GB), 200 MB files, 10 vaults and 12 months of history.
Steep learning curve intimidates new users
First-time users struggle to adjust to Obsidian's interface, which isn't beginner-friendly. The flexibility comes at the cost of ease of use. Many users report using Obsidian 'wrong' for months before finding a setup that works. For average users, it's way too tinkery and complicated to use power features.
Obsidian mobile app slow to open with large vaults
Forum reports describe multi-second launches on Android (about 5 seconds for a ~1,400-file media-heavy vault, 10-12 seconds in other reports) and freezes on iPhone with ~40,000-note vaults; disabling plugins saves only a few hundred milliseconds. A 2026 report also flags very slow file reading on Android 16. Large vaults remain slow on phones even with plugins disabled.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Obsidian.
Spent months setting up plugins without actually taking notes
Users get caught in the customization rabbit hole - installing plugins, tweaking themes, building complex Dataview dashboards. They realize months have passed optimizing the tool rather than using it for actual work.
Chose free sync methods that corrupted notes
Users avoid the $4/month Obsidian Sync by using iCloud or Dropbox. After experiencing sync conflicts, duplicate files, or corrupted notes, they either lose work or end up paying for Sync anyway.
Realized need for collaboration after investing heavily
Users build extensive personal knowledge bases only to realize they need to share or collaborate with others. Obsidian's lack of real-time collaboration means rebuilding in Notion or similar tools.
Mobile limitations discovered after desktop commitment
Users set up complex plugin-dependent workflows on desktop, then discover mobile doesn't support many plugins and loads slowly. The cross-device experience doesn't match expectations.
Paid for Sync Standard, then hit the 1 GB / 5 MB limits
Users subscribe to the cheapest Sync plan and later find PDFs, recordings or image attachments exceed the 5 MB file cap or 1 GB total, forcing an upgrade to Sync Plus at double the price or moving attachments out of the vault.
When Obsidian Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Obsidian fails or underperforms.
Need to collaborate with a team
Obsidian has no real-time collaboration. Sharing vaults via Git or cloud creates merge conflicts. When projects require working with others, users must switch to Notion, Confluence, or similar collaborative tools.
Want quick access from any browser
There's no web version. From a library computer, Chromebook, or work machine where you can't install software, your notes are inaccessible unless using Obsidian Publish (public-facing, not for editing).
Plugin updates break workflow
Community plugins may conflict with each other or break after Obsidian updates. Power users with complex setups spend time troubleshooting instead of working. Some plugins get abandoned.
Vault grows very large with media files
Large vaults with many attachments slow down sync, search, and startup - especially on mobile. The 10GB Sync limit may not be enough. Local storage benefits become a burden.
Vault stored in iCloud, Dropbox or a virtual drive
Vaults inside cloud-sync or encrypted virtual drives (e.g. Cryptomator) can trigger full re-indexing on every open, duplicate config files and slow mobile starts. Obsidian's own docs warn against double-syncing with Obsidian Sync plus another service.
Same note edited on two devices while offline
Obsidian Sync merges Markdown with diff-match-patch and uses 'last modified wins' for other files, so offline edits on two devices can produce merged duplicates, conflict copies or resurrected deleted files.