Zettlr vs Self-hosted LiveSync
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Zettlr
Markdown editor for writers, researchers, and Zettelkasten users
VS
Self-hosted LiveSync
Self-hosted real-time sync backend for Obsidian vaults
| Feature | Zettlr | Self-hosted LiveSync |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,354 | ★ 11,908 |
| First released | 2017 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Notion, Obsidian | Obsidian Sync |
Why pick each one
Choose Self-hosted LiveSync if…
- Free alternative to Obsidian Sync
- Encrypted by default
Frequently asked questions
Is Zettlr or Self-hosted LiveSync better?
Zettlr is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Self-hosted LiveSync if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Zettlr and Self-hosted LiveSync free and open-source?
Yes. Zettlr is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Self-hosted LiveSync under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Zettlr and Self-hosted LiveSync with Docker?
Zettlr: check the project docs for container support. Self-hosted LiveSync: yes.