Smart Connections
Obsidian plugin that uses local embeddings to show notes related to the one you're writing, with no API key needed.
AI ProductivityFreeverified Listed on Free plan
Is Smart Connections free?
Yes, Smart Connections has a free plan. What you get: Core plugin with local embeddings and no API key. To get it: install Smart Connections from Obsidian Community Plugins; then enable it; then open one real note and open the Connections view. Watch out: pro features need a paid plan. Verified on smartconnections.app.
Free plan at a glance
- Includes
- Core plugin with local embeddings and no API key
Core is free and runs local embeddings inside your vault; the pages state no usage limit. Cloud embedding or chat providers are optional and separate.
- Duration
- Free forever
How to get it free
Self-host- Install Smart Connections from Obsidian Community Plugins
- Enable it
- Open one real note and open the Connections view
Good to know
- Pro features need a paid plan
- Initial indexing runs locally in your vault
smartconnections.app, Checked Source
Overview
Smart Connections is an Obsidian plugin that shows related notes and passages beside the note you're working on, matched by meaning rather than exact words. Core uses local embeddings by default with no API key and works on mobile; Pro adds inline connections, semantic graphs and ranking controls.
Free vs paid
| Free | Smart Connections Pro All-access | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $30/mo |
| Includes |
| Plan details |
Key features
- Connections view that lists related notes beside the current note
- Footer connections at the end of a note, also on mobile
- Local embeddings by default, with no API key required
- Smart Lookup to start from a question instead of a note
- Exclude folders and files from indexing
Best for
- People
- Obsidian users with large vaults, Researchers and writers who reuse earlier notes in new drafts, People who bring their notes into AI tasks
Limitations
- Inline connections, Smart Graph and ranking controls need Pro
- Chat with your notes is in the separate Smart Chat plugin
- It is source-available under the Smart Plugins License, not open source
FAQ
- Is Smart Connections free?
- Yes. Smart Connections has a free plan: Core plugin with local embeddings and no API key. We last checked smartconnections.app's pricing page on 2026-11-12.
- What does the Smart Connections free plan include?
- Core plugin with local embeddings and no API key. Source: https://smartconnections.app/pro-plugins/ (checked 2026-11-12).
- How do I get Smart Connections for free?
- Steps: Install Smart Connections from Obsidian Community Plugins; Enable it; Open one real note and open the Connections view. Start at https://smartconnections.app/ (checked 2026-10-28).
- Do I need an account to use Smart Connections for free?
- Not for the free option: the free route is to self-host Smart Connections (Install Smart Connections from Obsidian Community Plugins). Checked 2026-10-28.
- What's the catch with Smart Connections's free plan?
- Pro features need a paid plan. Initial indexing runs locally in your vault. Checked 2026-10-28.
- How much does Smart Connections cost after the free plan?
- The cheapest paid plan is the Smart Connections Pro All-access plan, at $30 a month, billed monthly. We checked smartconnections.app's pricing page on 2026-10-28.Source: smartconnections.app/pro-plugins
- What are free alternatives to Smart Connections?
- ClickUp, Craft and Fellow all have free plans. We checked their free offers on 2026-11-12.
- Do I need an API key?
- Not for Core. It can surface related notes with the default local semantic retrieval path without an API key; keys only matter if you enable provider-backed workflows.Source: smartconnections.app/smart-connections/faq
- Does Smart Connections Pro have a free trial or a student discount?
- The current offer is a 14-day All-access trial with no charge on the first day. For students, the Pro offer provides a manual student-discount review: start the trial and reply to the welcome email.Source: smartconnections.app/pro/faq
- Is Smart Connections open source?
- Not in the OSI sense. The maker says it is source-available under the Smart Plugins License, and that Core remains free.Source: smartconnections.app/smart-connections/faq
Free alternatives
ClickUp
Project management with ClickUp Brain AI across tasks and docs.
Free forever, Free Forever $0
Craft
Docs and notes with built-in AI assistant.
Free forever, Free plan with limited AI
Fellow
AI meeting assistant with agendas and notes.
Free forever, Limited AI recordings
Tana
Agentic meeting platform: agents take notes and update your context graph during meetings.
Free forever, Unlimited meetings, 30 days history, approx. 50 AI queries
Miro
AI-powered visual workspace for teams.
Free forever, 3 editable boards and 10 AI credits a month
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Sources
- Free offer
- Verified on smartconnections.app/smart-connections/faq
…Connections Core is free for Obsidian. You can install Smart Connections for…
Added by our team. We check that a free option exists and record the date; signing up is between you and Smart Connections, so read their privacy policy and terms first.
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