Local Markdown, now multiplayer
Strata offers teams live document editing, comments, tracked suggestions, publishing, and MCP. Its CLI syncs Markdown to local files; Obsidian stores Markdown directly in a local vault and offers shared vaults through paid Sync.
At a glance
Why teams pick Strata
- Real-time collaboration is built in. Every document is multiplayer by default, with presence, comments, and tracked suggestions.
- AI agents connect through a native MCP server and a built-in assistant with credits on every plan.
- Team features exist: workspaces, granular permissions, SSO, SCIM, and audit logs.
- You still get local files. The strata link CLI live-syncs a Space to plain Markdown on disk, two-way.
Where Obsidian shines
- Fully offline-first and local-only, free for personal and commercial use.
- Thousands of community plugins and extensive customization.
- Canvas whiteboarding and a graph-first personal knowledge workflow.
- End-to-end encrypted Sync and local AI models through community plugins.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Strata | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Editing and collaboration | ||
| Plain Markdown files on disk | YesLive two-way sync through the strata link CLI | YesNative storage format |
| Real-time collaboration | YesAlways-on CRDT collaboration on every document | NoShared vaults sync files; simultaneous live editing requires third-party tools |
| Comments and threads | YesAnchored threads shared by people and AI agents | NoInvisible %%comment%% syntax; plugins for the rest |
| Suggest and review changes | YesPropose, accept, or reject tracked suggestions | No |
| Version history | YesGranular history: Free 7 days, Pro 30, Enterprise 90; an older recovery snapshot is retained | YesLocal File recovery; paid Sync history: 1 month on Standard, 12 months on Plus |
| Canvas whiteboard | No | YesCore plugin with the open JSON Canvas format |
| Knowledge graph view | YesDocument graph built from links between documents | YesLocal and global graph views |
| Database views over notes | No | YesBases core plugin: tables, cards, lists, and maps |
| AI and agents | ||
| Native MCP server | YesRead, edit, search, comment, suggest, and publish over MCP with OAuth 2.1 | Not documented in cited sourcesAI integrations via community plugins; no native MCP server listed |
| Built-in AI assistant | YesAssistant with Claude models and credits on every plan | NoCommunity plugins such as Copilot and Smart Connections |
| Local AI models | No | YesLocal models via Copilot; local embeddings via Smart Connections |
| Custom and scheduled agents | YesDocument-first agents with schedules | Not documented in cited sources |
| Hybrid semantic search | YesKeyword plus semantic retrieval on all plans | PartialThrough the Smart Connections plugin |
| Sharing and teams | ||
| Granular sharing and permissions | YesPer-document and per-Space roles | NoVault access is all-or-nothing |
| Team workspaces | YesShared workspaces with folders and Spaces | PartialShared vaults through paid Sync; each collaborator needs a subscription |
| Publish to the web | YesIncluded: public links with PDF download and clone | PartialPublish: $8 per site/month billed annually, or $10 billed monthly |
| Multi-device sync included | YesCloud-native on every plan | PartialSync from $4 per user/month billed annually, or $5 billed monthly; other sync options exist |
| Security and enterprise | ||
| SAML and OIDC SSO | YesEnterprise plan | Not documented in cited sources |
| SCIM provisioning | YesEnterprise plan | Not documented in cited sources |
| Audit logs | YesIncluded from the Pro plan | Not documented in cited sources |
| SOC 2 | YesSOC 2 Type 1 | Not documented in cited sourcesThe security page lists independent audits by Cure53 and Trail of Bits |
| End-to-end encrypted sync | No | YesAES-256 end-to-end encryption in Obsidian Sync |
| Plans and pricing | ||
| Free for individuals | YesFree plan with 5 members, AI credits, and hybrid search | YesThe app is free, including commercial use |
| One plan for team collaboration | YesPro at $12 per seat per month includes collaboration, publishing, and AI | PartialSync and Publish are separate subscriptions; simultaneous live editing needs third-party tools |
Own your files and collaborate
Obsidian stores notes as local Markdown files. Strata stores collaborative Yjs state and offers two-way Markdown sync through the strata link CLI. Local files work with your editor and git, but Markdown is not a complete backup of rich formatting, comments, suggestions, or version history.
Sources
Comments, suggestions, and review built in
Obsidian Sync supports shared vaults, with a subscription for every collaborator. It does not provide simultaneous live editing or fine-grained permissions within a shared vault. Strata includes live editing, anchored comments, tracked suggestions, presence, and version history.
AI agents on the team
Obsidian community plugins such as Copilot and Smart Connections offer AI workflows and local models or embeddings. Strata provides a native MCP server for search, edits, comments, and tracked suggestions with document permissions, plus scheduled agents.
When Obsidian is the right choice
Choose Obsidian for a local, offline vault, a large plugin ecosystem, and optional encrypted Sync. Its core app is free for personal and commercial use. Choose Strata when live collaboration, review, publishing, and team governance are priorities.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Strata an Obsidian alternative for teams?
Yes. Strata combines Markdown import/export and CLI sync with live editing, comments, tracked suggestions, publishing, and team permissions. Obsidian offers local Markdown vaults and paid shared-vault sync.
Sources
- Can I keep my Markdown files on disk with Strata?
Yes. The strata link CLI live-syncs a Space to a local folder of ordinary Markdown files, two-way. Local edits merge into the shared CRDT document in real time, and web or agent edits write back to your disk.
- Does Obsidian support real-time collaboration?
Obsidian Sync supports shared vaults, but its documentation says simultaneous live editing of the same file is not supported. Every collaborator needs Sync, and shared vaults do not offer fine-grained permissions. Live editing requires third-party tools.
Sources
- Can I import my Obsidian vault into Strata?
Yes. Obsidian vaults are plain Markdown, which Strata imports natively. Upload files directly or link a folder with the strata link CLI to bring a vault into a shared Space.
- How does Strata pricing compare to Obsidian?
Obsidian's app is free. Sync starts at $4 per user/month billed annually or $5 monthly; Publish is $8 per site/month billed annually or $10 monthly. Strata offers Free for up to 5 members and Pro at $12 per seat/month or $10 with annual billing, including publishing, AI credits, and audit logs. Prices are in USD.
Sources
Also comparing options? Strata vs. Notion
Features and USD prices reflect the linked vendor documentation on the checked date. Plan, region, and plugin limitations are noted; verify current terms with each vendor. Obsidian is a trademark of Dynalist Inc. Strata is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dynalist Inc.