After using Obsidian for a few days, many newcomers run into the same practical problem: how do I keep the same notes available across several devices?
The question is straightforward. The solution isn’t.
Obsidian saves notes on your device by default. If you want the same vault available across multiple devices, you’ll need a synchronization method, such as the paid Obsidian Sync service or a compatible third-party option.
Obsidian keeps standard Markdown files on your device. Unless you set up a separate service, those files are not automatically stored on an external server.
This approach gives Obsidian some of its greatest strengths:
Complete ownership of your data
Your notes can be opened with any Markdown or text editor
You're not locked into a specific company or cloud service
Local files keep your notes in your hands. To access them across devices, though, you’ll need a way to sync them.
Obsidian provides a paid syncing service made specifically for its app: Obsidian Sync. It includes:
End-to-end encryption. Even Obsidian cannot read your notes.
Full synchronization for folders, files, attachments, and images.
Version history, which lets you restore older versions of your notes.
Selective sync, allowing you to leave out specific folders.
Obsidian Sync costs extra. A subscription does not configure everything automatically—you still need to create your account and connect each device.
Many people avoid the cost of Obsidian Sync by storing their Vault in a cloud service such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.
That approach is often free, but it can create several problems:
The main problem is delay. These services were not designed for applications that constantly read and write many small files.
Edits made on multiple devices can conflict, especially when the internet connection is unreliable.
Cloud folders may also require additional setup or third-party software before they function correctly.
Obsidian community discussions repeatedly point to the same concerns:
Obsidian does not include free, built-in syncing between devices.
You must set up and configure every syncing method yourself.
Editing files offline on multiple devices can create conflicts.
The syncing process varies across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
These points stem from Obsidian’s local-first design rather than from defects in the app. They still matter if you intend to use Obsidian on multiple devices.
Memory Chat follows a completely different approach. Synchronization is not an add-on; the app includes it from the start.
Add a note, task, or budget entry, and it saves immediately to a local database on your device—even without an internet connection.
When you reconnect, Memory Chat quietly sends the stored data to its server, then updates your other linked devices.
Log in to your Memory Chat account on every device. Syncing happens automatically—there’s no need to set up a separate cloud folder or install extra tools.
The result: Memory Chat syncs the app’s content for you, so there’s no separate cloud folder to maintain. Edits made on multiple devices while they’re offline may conflict and must be reconciled once the devices reconnect.
Synchronization alone isn't enough without proper data protection. That's why everything you add to Memory Chat—including notes, photos, and files—is fully encrypted.
Every note, image, and file is encrypted before being synchronized.
The encryption key is not held in readable form on Memory Chat’s servers. Your devices use protected key storage, with account-based recovery through services such as Google Drive or iCloud Keychain.
Your devices exchange encrypted updates, then use the correct private keys to open them. Because of that, the service can transfer changes without reading the notes themselves.
Every Memory Chat plan includes synchronization. The plans differ in how many devices you can connect:
Free Plan: Sync across up to 2 devices.
Higher Plans: Depending on your subscription, you can link 4 or 8 devices.
All plans sync your data. Pick the one with the right device limit, storage, and features for you.
How will you synchronize your notes?
Will you pay for Obsidian Sync, or rely on a third-party cloud service?
How will you manage multiple devices?
If you mostly work from one device, or prefer to tailor every part of your setup, the added steps might not bother you.
Write a note or add a task; the app handles everything else.
Your data remains on your device. Once you’re online, it syncs automatically—no complicated setup or third-party service needed.
With Obsidian, you manage your note synchronization yourself.
Memory Chat takes care of the process, leaving you free to focus on your ideas.
If you want something straightforward that works immediately, Memory Chat is probably the easier option for everyday note-taking.
