The short answer
For one person across several devices, choose Obsidian Sync, iCloud or Dropbox, Syncthing, or Git based on your privacy requirements and willingness to configure the setup.
For a team editing notes at the same time, file synchronization is not enough. You need live cursors, presence, access roles, and one browser-based version. That is the OnBsidian use case.
These are two different jobs. File synchronization copies changes between devices. Collaboration coordinates edits from several people in real time and controls access. One tool does not always solve both equally well.
Obsidian sync options compared
Choose by workflow, not by the longest feature list.
| Option | Best for | Collaborative editing | Browser | Access | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Sync | Personal devices and official sync | Change synchronization | No | Basic shared access | Easy |
| Cloud folder | One person using a familiar cloud drive | No; file conflicts are possible | Usually no | Cloud-drive permissions | Medium |
| Git | Technical teams and version history | No; commit, pull, and merge | Only through extra services | Repository-level | Advanced |
| OnBsidianfor teams | A collaborative team knowledge base | Yes; live cursors and presence | Yes | 5 vault roles | Folder import |
If you work alone, only need to sync your own devices, and do not need browser access, Obsidian Sync or a local sync method may be simpler.
When OnBsidian is the right Obsidian sync option
OnBsidian fits when a vault becomes a working knowledge base rather than a personal archive. Your team keeps familiar Markdown files and wiki links while working in a modern collaborative editor.
See teammates’ cursors, selections, and changes in real time.
Members do not need to install Obsidian or configure identical sync setups.
Assign owner, administrator, editor, commenter, and viewer access.
MCP tokens grant agents controlled access to search and files.
How to move an existing Obsidian vault
- 1Open OnBsidian import
Select the entire vault folder rather than individual notes.
- 2Review detected files
Markdown, folders, attachments, and supported configuration files are imported.
- 3Create the workspace and invite teammates
Assign roles based on who should read, discuss, and edit the knowledge base.
- 4Keep a backup
Your original local folder is unchanged, and the complete vault can later be exported as a ZIP.
Common questions
Can I sync Obsidian for free?＋
Yes. A personal vault can be synced with a cloud folder, Syncthing, or Git, but setup, conflict handling, and backups remain your responsibility. Obsidian Sync is a separate paid service.
Can several people edit one Obsidian vault?＋
File sharing is possible, but regular file sync does not provide live collaborative editing. A team workspace such as OnBsidian adds live cursors, presence, and access roles.
Will wiki links and folders survive migration?＋
OnBsidian preserves Markdown files, folders, attachments, and wiki links. Folder Notes and Waypoint conventions are supported as well.
Can I return to regular Obsidian later?＋
Yes. OnBsidian exports a complete ZIP with ordinary Markdown files and attachments, so your knowledge is not locked into a proprietary format.
Sources and methodology
Official service behavior is cross-checked against Obsidian documentation for shared-vault collaboration and Obsidian Sync security. OnBsidian entries reflect implemented product features. This guide uses no paid rankings or fabricated testimonials.
OBSIDIAN FOR TEAMS