Cancel Obsidian: The Right Way

How to cancel Obsidian and protect your data in india

What Obsidian is and why you might cancel

Obsidian is a markdown-based note-taking and knowledge management application that stores your notes locally on your device, giving you complete ownership of your data. The core app is free and works entirely offline, but Obsidian also offers optional paid services: Obsidian Sync for cloud synchronisation across your devices, Obsidian Publish for turning your notes into a public website, and Catalyst, a one-time supporter license that grants early access to new features and a community badge.

You might decide to cancel Obsidian for several reasons-perhaps you've switched to another note-taking tool, you no longer need cloud sync, your publishing needs have changed, or you want to reduce subscription costs. Whatever your reason, Tocancel is here to walk you through the cancellation process step by step and ensure you understand your rights as an Indian consumer.

When cancellation makes sense for you

Cancellation is right for you if you no longer use Sync or Publish features, if you prefer a different tool's ecosystem, or if you want to save on subscription costs. Keep in mind that cancelling Sync does not delete your local notes-they remain safely on your device. Only the cloud synchronisation stops working after your current billing period ends. This means you lose cloud backup and cross-device sync, but your data stays secure locally.

What you should know before you cancel

Obsidian's paid services are subscription-based (Sync and Publish) or one-time purchases (Catalyst). Refunds are available within 7 days of purchase for Sync and Publish through your Obsidian web account, but Catalyst licenses and platform purchases (via App Store or Google Play) follow different refund rules. Understanding these distinctions now will save you frustration later. Tocancel recommends reviewing your billing history before you begin the cancellation process so you know exactly which services you're paying for.

Your consumer rights under indian law

As a consumer in India, you have specific legal protections under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which safeguards you against unfair contract terms, hidden charges, and non-transparent cancellation processes. Your legal position is clear: you have the right to cancel any subscription service, the right to receive clear information about refund policies before you pay, and the right to escalate complaints to the Central Consumer Protection Authority if a company refuses to honour your cancellation.

Your right to cancel and get a refund

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you have the right to cancel a subscription and request a refund if the service provider has not disclosed the cancellation process clearly or if you cancel within a reasonable period. For digital services, the 7-day refund window that Obsidian offers aligns with this framework. If Obsidian refuses to process your cancellation or withholds a refund you are entitled to, you can file a complaint with your state's Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or the Central Consumer Protection Authority.

How tocancel helps protect your interests

Tocancel documents the exact cancellation methods, refund policies, and contact details for services like Obsidian so that you have evidence of what the company promised. If a dispute arises, having clear documentation of the cancellation process strengthens your position when you file a complaint with consumer authorities. This is why Tocancel recommends taking screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and keeping all payment receipts for at least one year.

Obsidian pricing and billing in india

Obsidian charges in US dollars (USD), and your bank or payment processor converts that amount to Indian Rupees (INR) at checkout, which may include foreign transaction fees. Below is the current verified pricing for all Obsidian paid services as of 2026.

Understanding currency conversion and payment charges

Obsidian does not list INR pricing on its website. When you pay from India using a credit or debit card, your card issuer converts USD to INR using their own exchange rate, which may include a foreign transaction fee (typically 2-3 percent). Some banks offer no-cost EMI or special rates for international purchases, so check your card's benefits before you sign up. Tocancel advises reviewing your bank statement after purchase to see the exact INR amount charged, as this will be important if you need to request a refund.

How to cancel Obsidian via your web account

The easiest and fastest way to cancel any Obsidian subscription is through your Obsidian account portal online. This method gives you the most control and provides the clearest cancellation confirmation.

1. Open your web browser and go to account.obsidian.md
   • Alternatively, visit the Obsidian website and click "Sign in" in the top right corner
2. Enter your email address and password to sign in
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery email instructions sent to your inbox
3. Navigate to the Billing or Subscription section in your account dashboard
   • This is usually located on the left sidebar or in account settings
4. Locate the subscription you want to cancel (Sync or Publish)
   • You will see your current plan, the next billing date, and the amount you pay
5. Click the Cancel subscription or Manage button next to your active subscription
   • Read the cancellation summary carefully to confirm the service being cancelled
6. Confirm your cancellation by clicking Yes, cancel my subscription
   • Obsidian will display a confirmation message with your cancellation date
7. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page and save it to your device
   • Forward this screenshot to your email as backup documentation

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, after which access to Sync or Publish will stop. You will not be charged again after cancellation. Your local notes remain on your device and are not deleted when you cancel Sync.

What happens after you cancel Obsidian

After you cancel, your Obsidian experience changes gradually rather than stopping immediately. During the final billing period, you retain full access to Sync or Publish. On the day after your billing period ends, access to the cancelled service stops, but your data is never deleted by Obsidian.

Your notes and data after cancellation

If you cancel Sync, your local vault continues to work exactly as before-all your notes remain on your device and are accessible offline. The cloud synchronisation simply stops, so new notes you create will not sync to your other devices. If you cancel Publish, your published website remains online for 30 days, giving you time to download or migrate your content elsewhere. After 30 days, your published site becomes inaccessible, though Obsidian does not delete your unpublished vault files.

Reactivating Obsidian if you change your mind

You can reactivate your Obsidian subscription at any time by returning to your account page and clicking "Renew" or selecting a plan again. There is no penalty for cancelling and resubscribing later. Tocancel recommends reactivating within 12 months if you think you might return, because older vaults may lose sync history after that period.

How to request a refund from Obsidian

Obsidian offers a 7-day refund window for Sync and Publish subscriptions from the date of purchase. This means if you paid for a monthly or annual plan and cancel within 7 days, you are eligible for a full refund.

1. Check your payment date by logging into your Obsidian account and viewing your billing history
   • Go to Billing and scroll to "Transaction history" or "Payment history"
2. Verify that you are within 7 days of your purchase date
   • If you purchased on January 10th, your refund window closes on January 17th
3. Email Obsidian support at [email protected] with the subject line "Refund request for [your email address]"
   • Include your Obsidian account email, the date of purchase, the plan name (Sync or Publish), and the amount in USD
   • State clearly: "I purchased [Service Name] on [Date] and am requesting a refund under the 7-day refund policy"
4. Wait for a response from Obsidian support
   • Obsidian typically responds within 3-5 business days
   • Keep all email correspondence and screenshots as proof of your request
5. If Obsidian approves your refund, it will be processed to your original payment method within 5-7 business days
   • Your bank may take an additional 3-5 business days to credit the amount to your account

If Obsidian denies your refund request and you believe the denial is unfair, Tocancel recommends contacting your bank to dispute the charge. You can also file a complaint with your state's Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission if the company refuses to honour the published 7-day refund policy.

Refund policy for app store and google play purchases

If you purchased Obsidian Sync or Publish through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store instead of directly from Obsidian, the refund policy differs. App Store refunds are governed by Apple's policy (typically 14-15 days), and Google Play refunds are governed by Google's policy (typically 48 hours for apps, though subscriptions have longer windows). You must request refunds directly through the platform where you made the purchase, not through Obsidian. Tocancel recommends checking your device's app purchase history and contacting Apple Support or Google Play Support with your transaction ID.

Common mistakes to avoid when you cancel

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but small oversights can leave you paying longer than necessary or without proof of your cancellation. Here are the pitfalls Tocancel has seen affect real users.

Mistake 1: confusing cancellation with account deletion

Cancelling your Obsidian subscription does not delete your Obsidian account or your local vault. Your account remains active, your notes stay on your device, and you can still use the free version of Obsidian offline. Only the paid service (Sync or Publish) stops working. If you want to fully delete your account, you must request account deletion separately from Obsidian support.

Mistake 2: not taking a screenshot of your cancellation

Always screenshot your cancellation confirmation page immediately after cancelling. If Obsidian's systems malfunction or you are charged again by mistake, a screenshot is your proof of cancellation. Save this image and email it to yourself as a backup. This documentation is invaluable if you need to file a dispute with your bank or file a complaint with consumer authorities.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to your billing date

Obsidian charges you on your billing date and processes cancellations immediately. If you cancel on the same day you are charged, you will still be charged for that billing cycle. Cancel at least one day before your next billing date to avoid an unwanted charge. You can see your next billing date in your account dashboard under Billing.

Mistake 4: expecting an instant refund for non-eligible purchases

Catalyst (the one-time supporter license) does not qualify for the 7-day refund window. Only Sync and Publish subscriptions do. If you purchased Catalyst and are outside the 7-day window, you cannot request a refund. Tocancel advises checking your purchase type before you request a refund to avoid disappointment.

Comparison: Obsidian versus alternatives

If you are cancelling Obsidian because you want a different note-taking tool, Tocancel has compiled a quick comparison of popular alternatives. This table helps you understand what you gain or lose by switching.

Checklist before and after you cancel

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel Obsidian safely and retain all your important data.

How to contact Obsidian support

If you experience problems during cancellation or your cancellation is not processed correctly, Tocancel recommends contacting Obsidian support directly. While Obsidian does not maintain a physical office address in India for consumer complaints, you can reach their support team via email.

Official support contact

Email: [email protected]

Website: obsidian.md (support section available on the main website)

Community forum: forum.obsidian.md

When you contact Obsidian support, include your full name, registered email address, account email, the date of purchase, the service you subscribed to, and a clear description of your issue. Response time is typically 3-5 business days. If Obsidian fails to respond within 10 business days or denies your cancellation or refund unreasonably, you have the right to file a formal complaint with India's Central Consumer Protection Authority under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Escalation to consumer authorities in india

If Obsidian refuses to process your cancellation or withholds a refund you are entitled to, you can file a complaint with your state's Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The filing fee is minimal (₹100-500 depending on your claim amount), and the process is free to initiate. The Central Consumer Protection Authority in New Delhi also accepts complaints against companies that violate consumer rights. Tocancel recommends keeping all email correspondence, screenshots, and payment receipts before you escalate to these authorities, as they will ask for proof.

Final summary and your next steps

Cancelling Obsidian is simple when you know your rights and follow the correct process. You have the legal right to cancel your subscription at any time, the right to a refund within 7 days of purchase for Sync and Publish, and the right to escalate complaints to consumer authorities if Obsidian refuses to honour these protections. Tocancel recommends cancelling through your web account (account.obsidian.md), taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, and checking your bank statement after your final billing date to confirm no further charges occur.

Remember: your local notes are never deleted when you cancel Sync, and your published website remains online for 30 days after you cancel Publish. If you change your mind, you can reactivate your subscription at any time. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel their subscriptions safely and recover unfair charges by providing clear, step-by-step guidance and reminding them of their legal rights. Use this guide as your roadmap, keep your documentation, and cancel with confidence knowing that Indian consumer law protects you.