A comparison of Obsidian sync methods

A video with step-by-step instructions for setting up synchronisation will appear on the channel later

Method	Platforms	Pros	Cons
Obsidian Sync (official)	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Full integration, end-to-end encryption, ease of setup	Paid (subscription), doesn’t work with other clouds in one vault (conflicts)
GitHub (Git)	Windows, macOS, Linux (Android/iOS via third-party clients)	Free, gives version history and backups, full control	Manual sync (push/pull or plugins), needs technical setup, conflicts (you need to exclude the `.obsidian` folder)
Syncthing	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Decentralised, free, works over the local network without third-party servers	Requires one always-on device, conflicts possible with simultaneous editing, harder for beginners
Remotely Save (plugin)	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Supports many clouds (S3, WebDAV, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, etc.), encryption, auto-schedule, has mobile support	A third-party plugin, harder to set up, some clouds can change their API (e.g. Yandex.Disk stopped working), advanced features in the PRO version
iCloud / Google Drive	iCloud: iOS/macOS; Google Drive: Windows/macOS/Android	Free (within the quota), simple for users of the corresponding ecosystem	iCloud: works only on Apple devices (on Windows, duplicates and file offloading are possible); Google Drive: no official iOS support (third-party solutions required), problems with offloading files
Telegram Sync Bot (plugin)	Windows, macOS, Linux	Convenient for instant notes: you write text or voice in Telegram, everything flies into Obsidian	Works only on desktop (the plugin isn’t available on mobile), needs Obsidian actively running; not a real two-way sync; requires a Telegram account, crashes or logouts are possible (e.g. after a session restart)

1️⃣ Obsidian Sync

💻 How to set it up:

the official Obsidian Sync service requires a subscription.
link: Obsidian Sync
After getting a subscription, in the Obsidian Sync plugin settings you need to enable synchronisation for the chosen vault.

Cloud synchronisation will start working automatically between all the devices where your Obsidian account and the Sync plugin are enabled.

💻 When it’s appropriate: this is the simplest way to work seamlessly on any device (Windows/macOS/Linux and mobile).

"Out of the box" synchronisation is protected by end-to-end encryption and officially supported by the developers. It suits those who are ready to pay for convenience and security.

Reviews and experience: many users praise the simplicity and stability, noting that everything works “out of the box”.

However, there are remarks that on the first launch some settings (e.g. files from .obsidian) may not transfer fully if you don’t copy them manually.

They also note the price of the service (about 500 ₽ a month) and the need for an international card.

The official documentation warns: don't combine Obsidian Sync with other cloud drives for the same vault, to avoid conflicts.

Pitfalls: synchronisation may not capture files outside the vault itself (e.g. attachments, individual plugin settings). In such cases it’s advised to manually transfer the vault folder between devices once.

Avoid working in one vault from two places at the same time: it's better to end the session on one device before continuing on another.

2️⃣ GitHub (Git)

💻 How to set it up:

create a private repository on GitHub (or GitLab) and a .gitignore in it that excludes the .obsidian folder.
On your computer and other devices, initialise Git in your vault folder, add the remote repository and run git push to transfer the initial files.
After that you can use either Git commands in the terminal or a specialised plugin (e.g. Obsidian Git or GitHub Sync) to automatically commit and push changes.

An example command for cloning:

git clone https://<YOUR_TOKEN>@github.com/<your-login>/<repository>.git

In Obsidian, open this directory as a new vault. Then edit notes and regularly run git add . && git commit -m "msg" && git push, or set up automatic saving via the plugin.

⭐ When it’s appropriate: if you’re technically savvy and want full transparency and control, Git gives free synchronisation with version history.

It’s well suited for backups, collaboration (if others also know Git), and for those who want to keep their notes in their own repository.

Reviews and experience: users value the advantages of versioning and the ability to roll back.

At the same time, it’s noted that Git requires manual management: you can’t just “forget” about push/pull – you need to either run them yourself or set up an auto-commit on a timer.

Some find it complicated because of the console, access tokens (GitHub Personal Access Token) and confusion with permissions.

🎯 The Git plugin in Obsidian makes the work easier (there are options for auto-saving and periodic synchronisation), but with incorrect setup conflicts are possible. For example, without excluding .obsidian the plugin will stop working.

Pitfalls:

be careful with simultaneous editing on different devices – Git will create conflict copies of files.

Also, Git on its own doesn’t synchronise (it’s not a cloud service) – until you’ve run push, the changes won’t reach the other devices.

On mobile you’ll have to use third-party Git clients (e.g. Working Copy for iOS or Termux+Git on Android).

Besides, privacy is provided by GitHub itself: without encryption, the host has access to the repository data (although in a private repo it’s closed off from outsiders).

3️⃣ Syncthing

💻 How to set it up:

install the Syncthing app on all your devices (PC, laptop, smartphone).
In the Syncthing settings, create a shared folder, specify the path to your Obsidian vault and share it between devices.
On the other devices, accept the invitation and specify the same folder.
Once all the configurations are done, Syncthing will start exchanging files directly over the network (LAN or via the internet).

When it’s appropriate: Syncthing is ideal for those who want free, decentralised synchronisation without the cloud.

Once set up, notes sync almost in real time between devices (especially if they’re on the same network). It’s a good option when you don’t trust third-party services, or work on a local network without internet.

Reviews and experience:

users report that Syncthing is reliable, but requires keeping at least one device constantly on (e.g. a computer).
Conflict situations arise rarely – Syncthing saves conflict copies of files with a -conflict suffix, which lets you resolve the discrepancies yourself.

Stick to the practice:

don’t edit notes on two devices at the same time, and before working on mobile make sure Syncthing is running (Android sometimes kills background processes).

Pitfalls: the big drawback is that from time to time you need to “keep your hand on the pulse”.

If one of the devices is off or Syncthing is disabled, the changes will accumulate, but will reach the other side only on the next connection.

This means that on your phone, before you start editing, it’s worth launching Syncthing and waiting for synchronisation.

Besides, for each device you usually need to ignore the .obsidian folder or other local data, so the configurations (themes, plugins) don’t conflict – i.e. do the “non-synchronisation of settings” separately.

For continuous work on Android, it’s better to enable autostart in the Syncthing settings and disable aggressive battery optimisation.

4️⃣ Remotely Save

(https://github.com/remotely-save/remotely-save)

How to set it up:

install the Remotely Save plugin from the Obsidian community.
In the plugin settings, add your chosen cloud service (e.g. Google Drive, Amazon S3, WebDAV or Yandex.Disk) by entering the access keys/passwords.
Specify the path to the vault folder in the cloud, the synchronisation frequency (or leave it manual), and the encryption parameters (optional). Save the settings.
The plugin will upload new/changed files to the cloud and download them back.

An example setup (a YAML-like structure in the plugin interface):

providers:
  - name: YandexDisk
    username: your-login
    password: your-password
    remotePath: /ObsidianVault
autoBackup: 5  # check for changes every 5 minutes
skipFiles: ["*.png", "*.mp4"] # skip media files
encryptPassword: "secret-key"  # if encryption is needed

When it’s appropriate:

Remotely Save suits those who want to use already-existing clouds and aren’t afraid of third-party plugins.
It works on both PC and mobile devices (iOS/Android), syncing files through the chosen cloud. You can choose Google Drive, OwnCloud/WebDAV or others – all the data will be stored under your cloud account.
It’s a decent option for Android users or with mixed platforms, when there’s no official solution for iOS.

Reviews and experience: users note the flexibility: the plugin supports many clouds, can encrypt and resolve conflicts.

At the same time, there were complaints about failures with some services:

for example, a change in the Yandex.Disk API led to synchronisation via Yandex.Disk stopping working for many.

Some solve this by switching to alternative storage (Google Drive, Mail.ru Cloud).

One user advises limiting the number of simultaneous threads (sync in 1 thread) to avoid “429 Too Many Requests”.

Pitfalls: Remotely Save is an unofficial plugin, and its work depends on the stability of the cloud’s API.

With network failures or restrictions on the service’s side, a loss of synchronisation is possible.

The mobile version of the plugin in Obsidian (on iOS/Android) can drain the battery with frequent scanning. Besides, the plugin’s free mode is limited – the full capabilities (smart conflict handling, advanced providers) are available in the PRO version.

5️⃣ iCloud and Google Drive

💻 How to set it up:

iCloud:
- in macOS, enable iCloud Drive in the Apple ID settings and make sure the Obsidian folder is stored in iCloud.
- On iPhone/iPad, when creating a new vault choose “Store in iCloud”. On Windows you can install the iCloud Drive app and log in under the same Apple ID.
- Then in Obsidian, specify the iCloud/Obsidian folder as the vault.
Google Drive:
- on Windows/macOS, download and run the Google Drive app (Backup & Sync).
- Create a folder for Obsidian in it and move your vault there.
- On Android it’s enough to log into the same account. On iOS there’s no official way without third-party plugins.

When it’s appropriate:

iCloud suits you if you use only Apple devices – it’s the simplest and free option with an iPhone+Mac combo.
Google Drive is convenient if you’re on Windows/Android and want a cloud backup.
Both services are conveniently integrated with the operating systems (iCloud on Apple devices, Google Drive on Android/Windows).

Reviews and experience: many users (especially on macOS/iOS) are happy with iCloud: “notes load in seconds without extra fuss”.

The main downside

— the Windows version of iCloud can create duplicates or offload files (the “Optimize Mac Storage” option), which breaks synchronisation.

Google Drive on Android works fine, but on iOS it can’t be directly connected to Obsidian (third-party utilities are required).

Neither solution encrypts your notes by default and both depend on an internet connection.

Pitfalls: when using clouds, make sure the files are always “on this device” (the option in OneDrive/iCloud) – otherwise Obsidian may not find the offloaded files.

Mixing several clouds for one vault isn’t recommended because of conflicts. And, as written in the Obsidian documentation, these services are NOT officially supported for iOS (Google Drive) or may duplicate data (iCloud on Windows).

6️⃣ Telegram Sync Bot

How to set it up:

install the Telegram Sync plugin from the Obsidian community.
Then in Telegram, create your own bot via @BotFather and get a token.
In the plugin settings, paste this token into the “Bot Token” field.
You can add the bot to your chats (it needs to be made an admin in the relevant chats).
After setup, when you send messages or files to this bot in Telegram, the plugin will automatically create new notes (or append to the specified file) in your Obsidian.

🧠 An example of use:

you send the bot a text or voice note –> and after Obsidian saves on the PC, it appears in the folder or file you specified in the templates.

When it’s appropriate: this method comes in handy if you often want to quickly move ideas from Telegram chats or personal messages into Obsidian.

It’s convenient to use on the go: you write yourself a voice reminder to the bot, and at home you sync Obsidian and see the transcription text (the option is available for Telegram Premium subscribers). You can set up templates and folders so the notes are sorted automatically.

Reviews and experience: users note that the plugin is very convenient for “quick incoming”: you can write to the bot when an idea comes to mind (especially on the road) – and not lose it.

The plugin itself formats the text into Markdown and supports forwarding images and other files.

Among the downsides –

it all happens only on desktop: the plugin “waits” for Obsidian to be running on the PC.

If the bot breaks (e.g. Telegram throws you out of the session), note delivery pauses until a restart.

Also, a number of users complained that after a long conversation in Telegram they were unexpectedly logged out of their account, and Telegram Sync stopped working until the plugin was reloaded (this problem is related not to the plugin, but to session storage in Telegram).

Pitfalls:

Telegram Sync is a one-way channel (Telegram→Obsidian), not a full "vault sync".

On mobile you won’t get an automatic copy of your entire Obsidian vault; only what you send the bot. The plugin is NOT available on mobile platforms by the developer’s design.

It’s important to understand: if you use this method, for full synchronisation you still need one of the other methods (Sync, cloud, Git, etc.).

The advantage of Telegram Sync is the convenience of notes on the go, but you can’t rely on it as your only method.

What to choose for you specifically

Apple devices (iPhone + Mac/iPad):
- The simplest path is iCloud. It’s free and works out of the box on iOS/macOS.
- Your notes will be synced almost instantly. If you trust a subscription and want more features, you can add Obsidian Sync (it also works great on all Apple devices).
Android (and Windows/Mac):
- A good option is Remotely Save with Google Drive or WebDAV. You can set up synchronisation with Google Drive (via the official plugin) or Yandex.Disk/Mail.Disk via Remotely Save. It’s free and relatively simple.
- If you have knowledge of Git, consider GitHub, installing the Obsidian Git plugin or Working Copy on iOS, and sync via a repository — this way you get full control over your notes and their history.
Overall control and security:
- If you want maximum independence and versioning, choose Git (+ GitHub/GitLab). It’s free and doesn’t depend on Google/Apple.
- Keep your .md files in a private repo — the whole history of changes will be available to you. The only drawback is that you need to get used to the regular push/pull commands.
A persistent plugin sync:
- Obsidian Sync is the most “painless” way for cross-platform work.
- For a fixed fee you always have up-to-date notes on all your devices, plus end-to-end encryption. Again, if there are no payment issues, Obsidian Sync greatly simplifies life.
Quick notes from a chat:
- If you chat a lot in Telegram and don’t want to switch to a Notes app, use the Telegram Sync Bot.
- Just send yourself (or to a personal chat) a message to the bot – and it’s saved in Obsidian right away. Remember: it’s an addition, not a full method of syncing the whole vault.

In the end:

iCloud — for pure Apple scenarios,

Google Drive/Remotely Save — for Android+PC,

GitHub/Git — for the experienced and those demanding about privacy,

Obsidian Sync — for those ready to pay for simplicity.

And take Telegram Sync as a useful “inbox” for ideas, but don’t rely on it as your only “backup”.

Keep going?

📱 Working with your phone: what’s possible in Obsidian Mobile

⬅️ Back to home

Elton Labs

A comparison of Obsidian sync methods

1️⃣ Obsidian Sync

2️⃣ GitHub (Git)

3️⃣ Syncthing

4️⃣ Remotely Save

5️⃣ iCloud and Google Drive

6️⃣ Telegram Sync Bot

What to choose for you specifically