Manage Obsidian

How to cancel obsidian sync and publish: your complete UK guide

Why you might want to cancel obsidian

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking application that works brilliantly for many users, but your needs change. You may have started with enthusiasm only to discover the sync service doesn't fit your workflow, or you've found cheaper alternatives for publishing. Perhaps your subscription is no longer delivering value, or you've consolidated your digital tools. Whatever your reason, cancelling Obsidian's paid services should be straightforward and transparent. At Stopee, we help you navigate this process with clarity and confidence.

When cancellation makes sense

You might choose to cancel if you realise the free version meets your needs entirely. Many users forget they're paying for Obsidian Sync when they sync notes manually or use cloud folders instead. Others subscribe to Obsidian Publish only to discover their published site doesn't attract the engagement they expected, making the £16 monthly cost unjustifiable. If you're paying for a feature you no longer use, cancellation frees up your budget for services you actually rely on.

Your subscription status matters

Before you proceed, identify which Obsidian services you're actually paying for. The core Obsidian application is permanently free and requires no cancellation. Only if you've signed up for Obsidian Sync (the synchronisation service) or Obsidian Publish (the website publishing tool) do you have active subscriptions to cancel. Check your email for recent invoices or log into your Obsidian account to confirm which paid services are active.

Understanding obsidian's pricing and what you're paying for

Obsidian's pricing structure differs significantly from most software subscriptions because the core product is completely free. This section breaks down exactly what you're paying for and what cancellation actually means.

Obsidian sync pricing and value

Obsidian Sync costs £8 per month or £80 per year if you pay annually. This service synchronises your notes across multiple devices with end-to-end encryption, meaning even Obsidian cannot read your notes. You get 10GB of storage, version history for up to 30 days, and the ability to sync across unlimited devices. For many users, this is genuinely valuable. For others, local syncing via cloud folders (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) achieves the same result at no additional cost.

Obsidian publish pricing and value

Obsidian Publish costs £16 per month or £160 per year. This allows you to publish your notes as a public website directly from the application. The service includes hosting, automatic updates whenever you edit notes, and basic customisation. However, many users discover they don't publish regularly enough to justify the cost, or they find free alternatives like GitHub Pages or Netlify offer comparable functionality.

Your consumer rights when cancelling obsidian

Under UK consumer law, you have specific rights when cancelling digital services. Understanding these rights empowers you to cancel confidently and pursue refunds if appropriate.

The consumer contracts regulations and your cancellation window

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 gives you a 14-day cancellation window for distance contracts (including digital services purchased online). This period starts from the date you sign up for Obsidian Sync or Obsidian Publish. If you cancel within 14 days, you're entitled to a full refund, even if you've already used the service. This is a critical protection that many users overlook. Pro tip: if you're unhappy immediately after purchase, contact Obsidian support within this window before attempting self-service cancellation.

Beyond the 14-day window

After 14 days, you lose the statutory right to cancel and receive a refund under distance selling rules. However, you can still cancel your subscription at any point. If you cancel a monthly subscription, your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle. For annual plans, your access continues until your renewal date. Obsidian does not typically offer refunds for annual subscriptions once the 14-day window has passed, though you can request one if you believe the service is defective.

Your rights under the consumer rights act 2015

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that digital services are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If Obsidian Sync fails to sync reliably or Obsidian Publish doesn't allow you to publish your notes as promised, these services are not fit for purpose. In such cases, you can request a refund or remedy regardless of how long you've been subscribed. Stopee recommends documenting any issues before contacting Obsidian support, including screenshots and details of when problems occur.

How to cancel obsidian sync and publish

Cancelling your Obsidian paid services takes just a few minutes when you follow the correct steps. The process depends on whether you're cancelling from the desktop app, the mobile app, or your web account.

Cancelling obsidian sync

1. Visit the Obsidian account website at account.obsidian.md and log in with your email and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and reset it before proceeding.
2. Navigate to the "Sync" section in your account dashboard.
   • You'll see your current subscription plan (monthly or annual) and your renewal date clearly displayed.
3. Locate the button labeled "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription" and click it.
   • Obsidian may ask you to confirm your cancellation. Select the option to proceed.
4. Verify the cancellation confirmation message appears on screen.
   • Screenshot this confirmation for your records.
5. Check your email within minutes for a cancellation confirmation from Obsidian.
   • Save this email as proof of cancellation.
6. Your Obsidian Sync access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, after which it terminates automatically.
   • You'll still be able to use the free Obsidian app on all your devices.

Cancelling obsidian publish

1. Log into your Obsidian account at account.obsidian.md using your credentials.
   • Ensure you're using the email address associated with your Obsidian account.
2. Find the "Publish" section in your account settings.
   • You'll see all published sites linked to your account, along with your renewal date.
3. Click "Manage subscription" or the settings icon next to your Publish plan.
   • A dropdown menu appears with subscription options.
4. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm when prompted.
   • Obsidian will ask you to confirm this action once more.
5. Wait for the on-screen confirmation and the email receipt.
   • Your published sites remain accessible until your current billing cycle ends.
6. After cancellation, your Publish sites will unpublish automatically on your renewal date.
   • Download a backup of your site content before cancellation if you need it later.

If you cannot cancel online

Warning: Obsidian's website account portal is the standard cancellation method, and it works reliably. However, if you encounter technical issues, contact Obsidian support directly. You can reach them via the support form on obsidian.md or email support@obsidian.md with your subscription details. Provide your account email, the service you're cancelling (Sync or Publish), and your billing date. Support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours. Always request written confirmation of your cancellation request via email to create an audit trail.

Refunds and what happens after you cancel

Understanding refund eligibility and what occurs after cancellation prevents surprises and ensures you retain access to what you need.

Refund eligibility within 14 days

If you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase, you're entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Contact Obsidian support within this window and explain you're exercising your statutory right to cancel. Obsidian should process your refund within 14 days of your request. The refund will credit your original payment method. Pro tip: keep records of your purchase confirmation email and your cancellation request email to support any refund claim if disputes arise.

Refunds after 14 days

Once the 14-day window closes, Obsidian's standard policy does not offer refunds for cancellations. You can cancel at any time, but you lose the right to a refund for services already provided. However, if you cancel mid-month or mid-year, you do not receive a pro-rata refund. Your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. If this feels unfair, Stopee encourages you to contact Obsidian support directly and request a refund based on non-use or service defects. Many companies will accommodate reasonable requests even outside their standard policy.

What you keep after cancellation

Cancelling Obsidian Sync or Publish does not delete your notes or published sites immediately. Your notes remain stored locally on your devices as plain text files that you can access with any text editor. Your published sites remain live until your final billing cycle ends, typically 30 days after cancellation. After that date, your sites go offline automatically. Download a backup of your published content before cancellation if you need to preserve it. Your Obsidian vault (your collection of notes) is yours forever because Obsidian stores notes locally, not in the cloud.

What you lose after cancellation

Once Obsidian Sync is cancelled, your notes no longer sync across devices automatically. You'll need to use cloud folders or manual methods to keep notes updated across phones, tablets, and computers. Obsidian Publish cancellation means your published websites go offline and your notes are no longer published publicly. Version history stored in Obsidian's servers is also lost. The free Obsidian app remains fully functional, so you can continue using Obsidian as a local note-taking tool indefinitely at no cost.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling obsidian

Cancelling a subscription should be simple, but small oversights can lead to continued charges or lost access to important features. Here are the pitfalls Stopee sees most often.

Mistake 1: confusing free features with paid subscriptions

The most common error is believing you must cancel Obsidian itself. The core application is free and permanent. Only Sync and Publish subscriptions require cancellation. If you're not paying for either of these services, there's nothing to cancel. Simply uninstalling the app or stopping use is sufficient. Check your bank statements or Obsidian's account portal to confirm which services, if any, you're actually paying for before taking action.

Mistake 2: cancelling via the app instead of the web account

Obsidian's desktop and mobile apps do not include a built-in cancellation feature. If you look for a cancel button in the app settings, you won't find it. This confuses many users into thinking they can't cancel. The only way to cancel is through the Obsidian account website at account.obsidian.md. Bookmark this page now for future reference. Cancellations initiated elsewhere (emails to random addresses, social media messages, support requests without account details) may not be processed.

Mistake 3: assuming instant access termination

After you click cancel, your subscription does not end immediately. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you subscribed on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you can use the service until the 15th of next month. This is standard industry practice and provides a grace period for changing your mind. If you need access to end faster, contact Obsidian support and request expedited termination, though they may not grant this request outside their standard refund window.

Mistake 4: not documenting your cancellation

Obsidian's cancellation system is reliable, but technical issues or administrative errors can occur. Always screenshot your cancellation confirmation on screen and save the confirmation email you receive. Store these files securely (cloud backup, email folder, local folder) for at least 12 months. If Obsidian incorrectly charges you after cancellation, these records prove you took action and support any dispute or refund claim. Pro tip: create a spreadsheet tracking all your subscriptions, cancellation dates, and confirmation numbers for easy reference.

After cancellation: what to do next

Cancelling a service can feel like loss, but it's actually a chance to reassess your digital toolkit and ensure every pound you spend delivers genuine value. Here's how to move forward confidently.

Securing your data before you lose sync access

If you're cancelling Obsidian Sync, your notes remain on your local device but no longer sync to other devices. Before your Sync access ends, export or back up any notes you need on other devices. Obsidian allows you to export notes as Markdown files or PDFs. Manually copy critical notes to cloud folders like Google Drive or OneDrive, or use a third-party sync tool like Synology, Nextcloud, or standard cloud folder solutions. This ensures continuity and prevents losing access to important information.

Transitioning away from obsidian publish

If you're cancelling Publish, your sites go offline after your billing cycle ends. Before that happens, download your published site's content, export your notes as HTML or Markdown, and explore alternative publishing platforms. Free options include GitHub Pages, Netlify, or Blogger. Paid alternatives like Webflow, Ghost, or Substack may cost less or offer better features than Obsidian Publish. Having a transition plan ensures your published content doesn't disappear without a trace.

Deciding whether to keep the free app

You can continue using Obsidian's free application indefinitely. Many users do this successfully, using cloud folders for sync instead of Obsidian Sync. If you've decided Obsidian isn't right for you at all, uninstall it and delete your vault files. Your notes are stored as plain text Markdown files, so if you ever want to reimport them into Obsidian or another app later, they'll import seamlessly. There's no lock-in, no data hostage situation. You maintain complete control.

When to dispute a charge if obsidian keeps billing you

If Obsidian continues charging you after cancellation, you have consumer protections. These steps ensure you recover money that shouldn't have been taken.

Check if the charge is legitimate

Your first step is confirming the charge is actually unauthorised. Log into your Obsidian account and verify your subscription status. If it shows "cancelled," but you've been charged, the charge is a billing error on Obsidian's part. If your subscription shows "active," you may not have completed the cancellation correctly. Return to the account portal, log in again, and repeat the cancellation steps. Sometimes browser cache issues prevent the cancellation from processing properly.

Contact obsidian support with evidence

Email support@obsidian.md with your account email, the charge date, the amount, and your cancellation confirmation (screenshot or email confirmation). Explain that you cancelled on [date] and were charged on [date]. Request an immediate refund. Obsidian support is responsive and typically resolves billing errors within 48 hours. Keep copies of all correspondence for your records.

Escalate to your bank or card issuer

If Obsidian doesn't respond within 7 days or refuses to refund a charge after cancellation, contact your bank directly. Ask them to dispute the charge as unauthorised or as a service not provided. Your bank has a legal obligation to investigate and can issue a chargeback if Obsidian cannot prove the charge was authorised. Provide your bank with your cancellation evidence. This process typically resolves within 30 days.

Reporting to the financial conduct authority

If you're experiencing repeated billing issues that your bank cannot resolve, you can file a complaint with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK's financial regulator. You can also escalate to Citizens Advice Consumer Service, which can pursue cases on your behalf. These agencies have power to sanction companies and force refunds in cases of systematic abuse. Stopee recommends this only after you've exhausted direct contact and bank chargebacks.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect yourself from continued charges or unexpected issues.

Comparing obsidian with alternatives

If you're cancelling Obsidian, you may want to explore other note-taking solutions. This table compares Obsidian with popular alternatives to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Contact information for obsidian support and escalation

If you encounter issues during cancellation or need to dispute a charge, use these official Obsidian channels. Be aware that Obsidian does not publish a physical mailing address, which is standard for digital services. All support is handled via web form and email.

Obsidian support channels

Visit the Obsidian support portal at https://obsidian.md/support to submit a help ticket. Select your issue category, provide your account email and subscription details, and describe your problem. For cancellation-specific requests, mention you're exercising your statutory right to cancel or requesting a refund within 14 days. Email support@obsidian.md directly if you prefer. Include your account email, the service you're cancelling, and any relevant order numbers. Obsidian's support team typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Obsidian account management

Log into your account at account.obsidian.md to manage all subscription details, update payment methods, or initiate cancellations. This portal is the official channel for self-service account management. If you cannot access your account, click "Forgot password" and reset it using the email address associated with your subscription.

Escalation if obsidian doesn't respond

If Obsidian doesn't respond to support requests within 7 days, or if they refuse a refund you believe you're entitled to, escalate your complaint to Citizens Advice Consumer Service (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk). You can also file a complaint with the Financial Conduct Authority if the issue involves unauthorised billing. For refunds related to defective digital services, reference the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in your correspondence. Stopee recommends documenting every communication and keeping records for at least 12 months.

Final thoughts: you're in control

Cancelling Obsidian Sync or Publish is a straightforward process when you follow the correct steps and understand your consumer rights. Whether you're moving to a different tool, reassessing your digital spending, or simply no longer need the service, you have clear pathways to cancel, claim refunds if eligible, and protect yourself from continued charges. Your notes remain yours forever because Obsidian stores them locally as plain text files. No vendor lock-in, no data hostage situations. You maintain complete control.

At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer need and recover refunds they were entitled to. We understand that cancelling services should be simple, transparent, and empowering. If you encounter any issues cancelling Obsidian, or if you're unsure about your consumer rights, visit Stopee's comprehensive cancellation guides and dispute resources. Our mission is to make subscription cancellation as friction-free as actually using the service. Your digital toolkit should serve you, not the reverse. Cancel with confidence, knowing you've taken the right steps to protect your time and your money.