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Obsidian

docs.obsidian.st

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Spec score 9.2 #2 of 28 in Executable Packers

What it is

Obsidian is a note-taking app for keeping thoughts in linked notes. It saves notes as plain-text Markdown files on your device, where they remain accessible offline. Its Graph view shows relationships formed by internal links, and Canvas provides an open space to arrange notes alongside attachments and web pages. The app includes core plugins and supports community plugins, themes, and an open API for customization. The Web Clipper is available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Arc, Orion, and Vivaldi. Obsidian has a free plan at free, with no sign-up required. Optional Sync plans cost $5 a month for Sync Standard or $10 a month for Sync Plus; their storage and file-size limits differ. Publish costs $10 a month and hosts a site up to 4GB. Obsidian says Sync uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption, and its security page lists third-party audits. Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, plus extension support.

Spec sheet

What it does
Obsidian is a C-based PE packer and executable protector that encrypts Windows binary sections and adds a runtime decryption stub.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Purpose
Obsidian is a note-taking app for organizing thoughts and connecting notes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Support
Obsidian directs users to Discord for help and questions and to its forum for feature requests, bug reports, and discussions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Anti-analysis
Pro's --ultra option adds direct-syscall anti-debugging, anti-sandbox checks, and stub-integrity enforcement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Architecture support
Community Edition supplies native AMD64 and ARM64 stubs, while the documentation marks ARM64 support for Pro as unfinished.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Bring-your-own-stub
The project documents a BYOS approach in which users can modify or replace the runtime stub to avoid signature-based detection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Build requirements
The repository build instructions require a MinGW-w64 or LLVM/Clang Windows toolchain, with separate ARM64 tooling for ARM64 stubs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Canvas
Canvas provides an infinite space for laying out notes and connecting them to notes, attachments, and web pages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
CLI usage
The documented command accepts an input executable and output executable, with debug and presentation flags available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Commercial use
Obsidian is free for commercial use, while its pricing page encourages organizations using it for work to purchase an optional Commercial license.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Community encryption
Community Edition uses a custom xorshift64+ obfuscation scheme with a 64-bit key.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Company identity
The Gartner page separately identifies Obsidian Security as a private SaaS security company founded in 2017 in Newport Beach with 51–200 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Compression
Pro can optionally compress payloads with aPlib before encryption.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Custom section
Packed files receive a new .nexus PE section containing the stub, configuration, and protected payload data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Documentation depth
DeepWiki maps the packer lifecycle, runtime stubs, PE manipulation, cryptography, build system, and configuration structures to source files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Extensions
Obsidian includes team-built core plugins and supports community plugins, themes, and an open API for customization.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Import handling
The runtime stub has no normal import table and resolves Windows APIs by walking the PEB and matching CRC32 hashes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Independent architecture summary
DeepWiki describes a two-phase packer-stub model in which build-time encryption is followed by position-independent runtime decryption.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Independent cryptography detail
DeepWiki explains that each payload byte receives an index-derived subkey mixed with Golden Ratio constants and multiple shifts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Independent feature summary
DeepWiki identifies multi-architecture support, PyInstaller handling, rolling-XOR cryptography, API-hash resolution, and PE metadata sanitization as core features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Independent implementation detail
DeepWiki reports that the packer validates PE32+ inputs, selects an architecture-specific stub, generates keys with BCryptGenRandom, adds .nexus, and recalculates the checksum.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Independent PE detail
DeepWiki states that the packer may shift existing section data to make room for a new section header.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Independent terminology
DeepWiki defines PE32+ targeting as 64-bit AMD64 and ARM64 and identifies the IAT as manually resolved to reduce static detection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Integrity protection
Pro applies SPECK-CBC-MAC integrity verification, including repeated checks during execution.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Licence
The repository uses an Anti-Capitalist Software License that permits use by individuals, nonprofits, educational institutions, cooperatives, carbon-neutral organizations, and specified charitable or justice-focused groups.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: Community security
Community Edition provides obfuscation but no built-in anti-debugging or anti-sandbox defenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Limit: experimental feature
The repository calls PyInstaller spec-file support experimental and asks users to report problems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: platform scope
The project targets Windows PE32+ executables, so the documented workflow does not cover macOS, Linux, mobile binaries, or non-PE formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deepwiki.com
Limit: Pro ARM64
The official documentation says Pro is AMD64-only and lists ARM64 support as planned rather than available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Linking and graph
The Graph view visualizes relationships between notes through their internal links.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Local files
Obsidian stores notes locally as plain text Markdown files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Notable roadmap
The repository lists a commercial edition for Q4 2026 with a Rust GUI, per-page encryption keys, DRM, hardware binding, online key provisioning, and CI/CD integration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Offline use
Obsidian notes remain accessible on the device without an internet connection.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
PE transformations
Packing zeroes selected import, relocation, TLS, resource, debug, security, and load-configuration directory entries before runtime restoration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Pro encryption
Pro uses SPECK 128/128 in CTR mode with a 128-bit key, 64-bit IV, and counter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Project activity
The GitHub repository page shows 12 stars, 2 forks, and no published releases section entries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Publish
Publish hosts a wiki, knowledge base, documentation, or digital garden and includes hosting for a site up to 4GB.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
PyInstaller integration
The Community Edition can build and protect Python one-file executables through a patched PyInstaller bootloader and an encrypted appended package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Rating on Gartner Peer Insights (different product)
4.9 out of 5 from 28 ratings; the page is for Obsidian Security's SaaS security product, not this PE packer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Runtime restoration
At launch, the injected stub decrypts sections in memory, restores PE directories, resolves imports, applies relocations, and jumps to the original entry point.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Security posture
The repository describes the Community Edition stub as having no anti-debugging mechanisms, while Pro adds syscall-based anti-debugging and anti-sandbox features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sync limits
Sync Standard includes 1 GB storage and a 5 MB maximum file size; Sync Plus includes 10 GB and a 200 MB maximum file size.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Sync security
Obsidian says Sync uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption, and its security page lists third-party audits of the clients and Sync service.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Web clipper
The Web Clipper is available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, as well as Brave, Arc, Orion, and Vivaldi.Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md

Plans and prices

Community Edition Free x64 and ARM64 PE binaries · xorshift64+ obfuscation · no compression · no anti-debugging Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st
Obsidian Free Free without limits; no sign-up required No strings attached Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Sync Standard $5 a month Per user, per month, billed monthly 1 synced vault · 1 GB total storage · 5 MB maximum file size · 1 month version history Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Publish $10 a month Per site, per month, billed monthly Hosting for your site up to 4GB · Customizable theme and domain · Priority email support Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Sync Plus $10 a month Per user, per month, billed monthly 10 synced vaults · 10 GB total storage · 200 MB maximum file size · 12 month version history · Upgradable to 100 GB storage Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Catalyst $25, paid once One-time payment Early access to beta versions · Community badges · Exclusive channels Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Sync Standard $48 a year $48.00 per user per year (= $4.00 per user/month, billed annually) 1 synced vault · 1 GB total storage · 5 MB maximum file size · 1 month version history Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Commercial $50 a year Per user, per year Support development · Become a featured organization Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Publish $96 a year $96.00 per site per year (= $8.00 per site/month, billed annually) Hosting for your site up to 4GB · Customizable theme and domain · Priority email support Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Sync Plus $96 a year $96.00 per user per year (= $8.00 per user/month, billed annually) 10 synced vaults · 10 GB total storage · 200 MB maximum file size · 12 month version history · Upgradable to 100 GB storage Read 4 Oct 2026 · obsidian.md
Pro Priced on request SPECK 128/128 CTR · optional aPlib compression · integrity checks · anti-debugging and anti-sandbox · x64 only Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.obsidian.st

Every Obsidian plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Notes are plain-text Markdown files stored locally.
  • Notes remain accessible offline.
  • Graph view visualizes relationships between linked notes.
  • Canvas connects notes, attachments, and web pages.
  • Free plan requires no sign-up.

Limits

  • Sync Standard has a 5 MB maximum file size.
  • Sync Plus has a 200 MB maximum file size.
  • Publish hosting is limited to a site up to 4GB.

Who it suits

Obsidian suits people who want locally stored, offline-accessible notes with ways to link, visualize, and customize them. Its free plan may also suit those who want to start without signing up.

Obsidian in depth

Read the full write-up

Obsidian is a note-taking app built around linked notes and local Markdown files. It suits people who want an adaptable knowledge base they can access offline. Its key trade-off is clear: the core app is free, while syncing and hosting a published site cost extra.

Overview

Notes stay on your device as plain text Markdown files and remain accessible without an internet connection. That makes Obsidian a strong fit for readers who want direct access to their notes outside an online service. The free app does not include synchronization, however, so keeping a vault in sync across devices requires a paid plan.

Key features

Links, Graph, and Canvas

Internal links connect notes, and Graph view makes those connections visible. This can help readers navigate a collection built around related ideas, but offers less to someone who mainly wants a simple sequence of standalone notes. Canvas provides an infinite workspace for arranging notes and connecting them to attachments and web pages, offering a more spatial way to organize material.

Customization and capture

Team-built core plugins, community plugins, themes, and an open API let users tailor Obsidian to their workflow. That flexibility is a strength for readers willing to shape their own setup, but may be unnecessary overhead for someone who wants a fixed, minimal tool. Web Clipper works with Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Arc, Orion, and Vivaldi, extending capture beyond the app itself.

Sync and publishing

Sync Standard provides one synced vault, 1 GB total storage, a 5 MB maximum file size, and one month of version history. Sync Plus raises those limits to 10 synced vaults, 10 GB, 200 MB per file, and 12 months of version history, with storage upgradable to 100 GB. Obsidian says Sync uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption, and its security page lists third-party audits of the clients and Sync service. Publish hosts a wiki, knowledge base, documentation, or digital garden, with hosting for a site up to 4GB. These are useful paid additions, but readers who only need offline notes can avoid both subscriptions.

Support and commercial use

Obsidian directs questions and help requests to Discord; its forum is for feature requests, bug reports, and discussion. The app is free for commercial use, while organizations using it for work are encouraged to purchase an optional Commercial license. That distinction makes the core app accessible for work, but gives organizations a separate way to support development and become a featured organization.

Pricing

The Obsidian plan costs nothing, with no sign-up required and no strings attached. It is the natural choice for people who work locally or are content to manage synchronization themselves.

Sync Standard: $5 a month, per user, billed monthly. It suits an individual who needs one synced vault and can work within 1 GB of storage, 5 MB per file, and one month of version history.

Sync Plus: $10 a month, per user, billed monthly. Its 10 synced vaults, 10 GB, 200 MB file limit, and 12-month history suit users with larger or longer-running collections; storage can be upgraded to 100 GB.

Publish: $10 a month, per site, billed monthly. It includes hosting for a site up to 4GB, a customizable theme and domain, and priority email support. It fits someone who wants to publish a wiki, knowledge base, documentation, or digital garden.

Catalyst: $25, paid once, as a one-time payment. Early beta access, community badges, and exclusive channels make it a supporter option rather than a substitute for Sync or Publish.

Commercial: $50 a year, per user, billed yearly. It supports development and makes the organization a featured organization; it is optional for commercial use.

Platforms

Obsidian supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as an extension. The Web Clipper supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Arc, Orion, and Vivaldi.

Who it's for

Choose Obsidian if you want offline-accessible Markdown notes, value connections between ideas, and are willing to customize your workspace. It is less compelling if you need synchronization included in a free plan or prefer not to manage a configurable tool.

Pros and cons

Pro: Local plain text Markdown files remain accessible offline, a practical fit for readers who want their notes on-device.

Pro: Linking, Graph, and Canvas offer several ways to organize related material rather than treating notes as isolated documents.

Pro: Core and community plugins, themes, and an open API provide room to adapt the app.

Con: Sync is a paid add-on, and Standard's 1 GB storage and 5 MB file limit may be restrictive for larger collections or attachments.

Con: The app's customization options may be more than readers seeking a simple, predetermined workflow need.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of executable packers, see Executable Packers.

For a free alternative, StarForce Reader runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Virbox Protector is a paid alternative with a free trial and personal and enterprise one-time license options priced in CNY.

Sentinel EMS is a paid alternative with a free trial and API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms.

VMProtect is a paid alternative with a free trial and personal license options, including a yearly updates renewal.

UPX is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Enigma Virtual Box is free and runs on Windows.

MPRESS is free and supports macOS and Windows.

AlushPacker is a free alternative for Windows.

Verdict

Obsidian is best for people who want a locally stored, offline-capable collection of linked Markdown notes and value the freedom to customize it. Its central reason to choose is that combination of local files, linking, and flexible organization at no cost. Look elsewhere if you require synchronization in the free plan or want a simpler tool without a paid path for sync and publishing.

Verdict

Obsidian combines local Markdown notes with linking, Canvas, and plugin customization. Sync and Publish are optional paid plans with stated storage and hosting limits.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ObsidianAll alternatives →