What is Obsidian
Overview
Obsidian is a note-taking and knowledge-management application that stores notes locally in Markdown files. It is designed for linking notes into a networked “vault” and supports plugins and customisation across devices.
Main features
Key capabilities include Markdown support, local‑first storage, plugin extensibility and optional paid services such as Sync and Publish. The core app is cross‑platform and emphasises data ownership and offline access.
How to cancel Obsidian
Cancel via the web (Obsidian account)
- Log into your Obsidian account on the Obsidian website.
- Go to Billing → Invoices and refunds, choose your Sync or Publish subscription, then select Cancel.
- Cancellation stops auto‑renewal and takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
Cancel via mobile stores
- iOS (App Store): Open Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions → Obsidian, then Cancel. Apple handles refunds via the Report a Problem process.
- Android (Google Play): Open Google Play Menu → Subscriptions → Obsidian - Connected Notes → Cancel. Refunds follow Google Play’s refund process.
What happens when you cancel
Access and renewal
When you cancel a paid service, your subscription will remain active until the end of the paid billing period. Auto‑renewal will be disabled and no further charges will occur after expiry.
Data and published content
Local files remain on your device; cancelling does not delete local vaults. Remote vaults, synced data or published sites may persist according to Obsidian’s retention rules and the behaviour of the platform used.
Will I get a refund?
Web purchases (Sync or Publish)
Obsidian offers a full, no‑questions‑asked refund within 7 days of a web purchase through the billing portal. After 7 days, refunds are generally not provided except in exceptional cases; contact support for disputes.
For more details see the official refund policy.
Non‑refundable items and store refunds
- Catalyst licences, Commercial licences and Obsidian Credit are non‑refundable.
- Purchases through Apple or Google follow the respective store refund processes; contact them for store refunds.
Obsidian plans and pricing
Pricing summary
Obsidian lists prices in USD. South African customers are charged in USD converted by the payment processor to ZAR at checkout.
Plan details
| Plan | Price (USD) | Period | Features |
| Sync | USD 8 / month or USD 96 / year | Monthly / Annual | End‑to‑end encrypted sync across devices |
| Publish | USD 16 / month or USD 144 / year | Monthly / Annual | Publish notes to the web |
| Catalyst (Supporter) | USD 25 one‑time | One‑time | Early access builds, supporter badge |
| Commercial License | USD 50 / user / year | Annual | Commercial use licence |
Your consumer rights in South Africa
Cooling‑off period (ECT Act)
Under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act), consumers may cancel certain digital service agreements within 7 days of concluding the agreement without reason or penalty.
When applicable, a full refund must be provided within 30 days of cancellation under the ECT Act.
Digital goods and defective services (CPA)
The Consumer Protection Act generally limits return rights for digital goods once delivered or accessed, unless the product is defective or misdescribed.
Issues with non‑performing or defective digital services may still be addressed under general consumer protection principles requiring quality and fair dealing.
Customer experiences
Positive feedback
Users commonly praise Obsidian for flexibility, local‑first storage, strong data ownership, extensive plugin support and good value for power‑users.
Negative feedback
Common complaints include a steep learning curve for Markdown and vault concepts, interface complexity (graph view), mobile usability, sync costs, and lack of real‑time collaboration.
Documentation checklist
Before you cancel
- Record your account email and subscription type (Sync/Publish/Catalyst/Commercial).
- Back up your local vault and export any data you need before service expiry.
When requesting a refund or dispute
- Keep transaction receipts, billing portal screenshots and the date of purchase.
- If purchased via Apple/Google, get the store purchase ID and use the store refund process.
Common mistakes
Assuming cancellation deletes local data
Many users expect cancellation to remove local notes. In reality, cancelling a subscription does not delete local vault files; you must remove them manually if desired.
Missing refund windows or store rules
Users sometimes miss the 7‑day web refund window or confuse store refund rules. Remember web refunds differ from App Store/Google Play refunds and non‑refundable items exist.
Comparative recap
Quick comparison
| Plan | Best for | Refundable via web? | Price (USD) |
| Sync | Users needing encrypted cross‑device sync | Yes (within 7 days for web purchases) | USD 8 / month or USD 96 / year |
| Publish | Users who publish notes to a website | Yes (within 7 days for web purchases) | USD 16 / month or USD 144 / year |
| Catalyst | Supporters wanting early access / badge | No (non‑refundable) | USD 25 one‑time |
| Commercial License | Businesses requiring commercial terms | No (non‑refundable) | USD 50 / user / year |
After cancelling
Next practical steps
- Export or back up notes and attachments from your local vaults before access changes take effect.
- Confirm cancellation in your Obsidian account billing page and keep the confirmation for records.
Helpful official links
Address
Obsidian Systems (South Africa) - Head office
Unit 5, Randridge Office Park, Ateljee Street, Randpark Ridge 2154, South Africa.
Notes on contacting support
Use your Obsidian account billing portal for cancellations and refunds. For legal or consumer rights queries in South Africa, refer to the ECT Act and the CPA summary linked above.