What it does
Inkidian is an iPad app for handwritten notes and PDF annotation inside an Obsidian vault. Handwritten pages are saved as .inkd files beside Markdown, while PDF ink is written into the PDF itself. The product requires an iPad with Apple Pencil and iPadOS 18 or later, plus the free Inkidian Obsidian plugin. The vendor offers a 14-day trial followed by a one-time $9.99 / €9.99 purchase and says the app has no server of its own.
Inkidian is a companion for people who already use Obsidian and want Apple Pencil handwriting without moving their vault into another note service. Its defining choice is file-level integration: handwritten pages become documented .inkd files beside Markdown, and PDF annotations remain embedded in the PDF. That makes the output more portable than a notebook locked in a proprietary cloud, although it also means the user must understand their Obsidian vault and sync setup. The vendor requires an iPad, Apple Pencil, iPadOS 18 or later, and its free Obsidian plugin. The trial is 14 days; after that, the site lists a one-time purchase of $9.99 or €9.99. Android is not currently offered. I did not test annotation round-tripping or Obsidian Sync.
Strengths
- Handwritten notes are stored as .inkd files in the selected vault and PDFs retain their annotations.
- Works alongside Obsidian through a free plugin and does not operate its own sync server.
- The vendor lists a one-time purchase rather than a subscription.
Watch out for
- Requires an iPad with Apple Pencil, iPadOS 18 or later, and an Obsidian vault.
- It is an iPad-only companion app rather than a standalone cross-platform notes system.
Best for
- Obsidian users who want handwritten pages in the same vault as Markdown
- People marking up PDFs with Apple Pencil while keeping annotations in the source file
Sources
- Inkidian – Apple Pencil notes for your Obsidian vault (Oct 25, 2026)
- Support — Inkidian (Oct 25, 2026)