The Obsidian alternative with real tasks and free sync
Obsidian is brilliant for linked Markdown notes — but tasks mean plugins, and sync means paying. mirv keeps the Markdown and [[wikilinks]] you love and adds a real task manager, boards, a calendar and a built-in AI agent, with free cross-device sync and nothing to assemble. Web, Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.
Import your Obsidian vault in a few clicks.
Who should consider an Obsidian alternative
Let's be clear: Obsidian is superb. Plain-Markdown files on your own disk, a vast plugin ecosystem, the graph view, Canvas, and total offline control make it one of the best knowledge tools ever built. If a local-file vault and deep customization are your priorities, stay — mirv doesn't try to out-plugin Obsidian.
You might want an Obsidian alternative if the setup has become the hobby: you want real tasks — due dates, boards, a calendar, reminders — without stitching together the Tasks, Dataview and Kanban plugins; you'd rather not pay for sync or maintain a self-hosted sync setup; or you want an AI agent that can actually act on your work. mirv gives you the Markdown-and-links feel with tasks and sync built in, and zero configuration to get there.
mirv vs Obsidian
A fair, factual look at where each app wins. Obsidian is strong on local-file control and plugins; mirv is strong on built-in tasks, free sync and zero setup.
| Feature | mirv | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown notes | Yes | Yes |
[[wikilinks]] between notes | Yes | Yes |
| Real task manager (dates, boards, calendar) | Built-in | Via plugins |
| Notes link to actual task objects | Yes | Text links only |
| Free cross-device sync | Yes | Paid (Obsidian Sync) |
| Zero-setup out of the box | Yes | Assemble plugins |
| Built-in AI agent that acts on your workspace | Yes | Via plugins |
| Plugin / community ecosystem | Growing | Huge |
| Local plain-Markdown files on disk | Export to .md | Yes (native) |
| Local graph view / Canvas | No | Yes |
What you gain by moving from Obsidian to mirv
Real tasks, no plugins
Due dates, priorities, Kanban boards, a calendar, reminders and recurring rules are built in — no Tasks + Dataview + Kanban stack to configure. See the task manager →
Notes that link to tasks
Your [[wikilinks]] connect notes to actual task objects with status and dates, not just to other text files. See the notes app →
Free sync everywhere
Your notes and tasks sync across web, iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows at no extra cost — no sync subscription, no self-hosting.
A built-in AI agent
Mirv, the free built-in agent, can summarize and draft notes and act on your tasks — plan, reschedule, tidy — without wiring up a plugin and an API key.
Still yours to export
Export any note to Markdown, all notes to a .zip, or the whole workspace as JSON. Local-first and no lock-in — the value you prize in Obsidian.
Import your vault
Point mirv at your Obsidian vault folder and your Markdown files come across with headings, lists, links and [[wikilinks]] intact.
How to move from Obsidian to mirv
In mirv, open Settings → Import from Obsidian and choose your vault folder. Your Markdown files import with headings, lists, links and [[wikilinks]] preserved, ready to organize into folders and labels. Then start turning the checkboxes scattered through your notes into real tasks with due dates and reminders, and link them back to the notes they came from. To see how mirv handles notes specifically, read about the free notes app, or compare it with Apple Notes on the Apple Notes alternative page.
Obsidian alternative — questions, answered
Is there an Obsidian alternative with a built-in task manager?
Yes. mirv pairs Markdown notes and [[wikilinks]] with a real task manager out of the box — due dates, priorities, Kanban boards, a calendar, reminders and recurring rules. In Obsidian, tasks come from community plugins; in mirv they're first-class objects your notes can link to.
Does mirv sync across devices for free?
Yes. mirv syncs your notes and tasks across web, iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS and Windows at no extra cost. Obsidian's official sync is a paid subscription (you can also self-host sync with third-party tools). mirv is local-first, so it works offline and syncs when you reconnect.
Can I import my Obsidian vault into mirv?
Yes. Under Settings → Import from Obsidian, choose your vault folder and mirv brings in your Markdown files, keeping headings, lists, links and [[wikilinks]]. You can then organize with folders and labels and link notes to tasks.
Where does Obsidian still win?
Honestly, plenty: your notes are plain Markdown files on your own disk, there's a huge community-plugin ecosystem, a local graph view, Canvas, and full offline-first control. If a local-file vault and deep customization are what you want, Obsidian is hard to beat. mirv trades some of that depth for an all-in-one, zero-setup workspace with real tasks and free sync.
Do I still own my notes in mirv?
Yes. Export any note to Markdown, all notes to a .zip, or your whole workspace as JSON, anytime. mirv is local-first and built around data ownership, so you're never locked in.
Ready to try an Obsidian alternative with real tasks?
Import your vault in a few clicks, keep the Markdown and [[wikilinks]] you love, and get real tasks plus free sync on every device. Free — no credit card, ever.