specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Obsidian
providerId: obsidian
created: '2026-05-08'
# Provenance stamped 2026-08-11: this artifact was written by the API Evangelist
# bulk sweep dated 2026-05-08, not harvested from the provider. See roadmap#35.
method: generated
modified: '2026-05-08'
reconciled: true
tags:
- Productivity
- Knowledge Management
- Markdown
- Notes
- Local-First
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: FOCUS-aligned FinOps profile for Obsidian. The core Obsidian app is free for
  personal use; commercial use is covered by an optional per-user annual license. Two
  managed add-ons (Sync, Publish) and a one-time Catalyst license are sold separately.
  There is no per-API or metered usage cost.
sources:
- https://obsidian.md/pricing
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Dynalist Inc. (Obsidian)
serviceCategory: Productivity
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription (Add-Ons) + One-Time Licenses
  billingFrequency: Annual or Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Obsidian
  ServiceCategory: Productivity
  ProviderName: Obsidian
  PublisherName: Dynalist Inc.
  InvoiceIssuerName: Dynalist Inc.
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
meters:
- name: commercial_license_seats
  description: Per-user commercial-use license at $50/user/year.
  unit: seat
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - organization
- name: sync_seats
  description: Obsidian Sync per-user subscription ($4/user/mo annual, $5/user/mo monthly).
  unit: seat
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
- name: publish_sites
  description: Obsidian Publish per-site subscription ($8/site/mo annual, $10/site/mo monthly).
  unit: site
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
- name: catalyst_licenses
  description: One-time Catalyst supporter license at $25.
  unit: license
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track Sync seats, Publish sites, and Commercial licenses centrally; consolidate
    Obsidian-related receipts in your AP/expense system.
- name: Allocation
  description: Allocate Commercial license cost to the employees and teams holding it; Sync
    and Publish to specific users/sites.
- name: Optimization
  description: Use annual billing for Sync/Publish where committed; reclaim Sync seats from
    inactive users; consolidate multiple personal Sync subscriptions if shifting to a single
    org-managed plan.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign an owner for organization-wide Obsidian licensing and review annually.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com