Notion vs Obsidian: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Notion and Obsidian? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Choose Notion if you want:
- Extremely flexible and customizable
- Great for both personal and team use
- Excellent template gallery
Choose Obsidian if you want:
- Your data stays on your device
- Incredible plugin ecosystem
- Beautiful graph visualization
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9.2/10 | 9/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $8/mo |
| Category | Note-Taking Apps | Note-Taking Apps |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2016 | 2020 |
Key Features
Notion Features
- Block-based editor
- Databases & tables
- Templates
- Team collaboration
- API & integrations
- Web clipper
- Offline mode
- AI assistant
Obsidian Features
- Markdown files
- Bidirectional links
- Graph view
- Plugin ecosystem
- Custom themes
- Local-first storage
- Canvas
- Daily notes
Pros & Cons
Notion
Pros
- + Extremely flexible and customizable
- + Great for both personal and team use
- + Excellent template gallery
- + Strong API ecosystem
- + Generous free tier
Cons
- - Can be overwhelming for beginners
- - Mobile app could be faster
- - Offline mode has limitations
- - Learning curve for advanced features
Obsidian
Pros
- + Your data stays on your device
- + Incredible plugin ecosystem
- + Beautiful graph visualization
- + Highly customizable
- + One-time payment for sync
Cons
- - Steeper learning curve
- - Sync requires paid add-on
- - No built-in collaboration
- - Can be complex for simple notes
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Notion and Obsidian are excellent note-taking apps tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Notion if: You value extremely flexible and customizable and great for both personal and team use.
It's best for freelancers and teams.
Choose Obsidian if: You prioritize your data stays on your device and incredible plugin ecosystem.
It's ideal for developers and researchers.
Notion vs Obsidian FAQ
It depends on your needs. Notion (9.2/10) excels at extremely flexible and customizable, while Obsidian (9/10) is known for your data stays on your device. Notion has the higher overall rating.
Both Notion and Obsidian offer free tiers. Notion's paid plan starts at $10/mo, while Obsidian starts at $8/mo.
Yes, many users combine Notion and Obsidian in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Notion handles your block-based editor while Obsidian manages markdown files.
Notion offers: Block-based editor, Databases & tables, Templates. Obsidian provides: Markdown files, Bidirectional links, Graph view. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Notion has a steeper learning curve. Obsidian has a steeper learning curve. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Notion is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Obsidian supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Notion is designed with teams in mind. Obsidian is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Obsidian's strengths (Your data stays on your device, Incredible plugin ecosystem) address pain points you have with Notion. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Obsidian with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs free tier), Focus (Note-Taking Apps vs Note-Taking Apps), Platforms (5 vs 5 platforms).
Notion users love: Extremely flexible and customizable, Great for both personal and team use. Common complaints: Can be overwhelming for beginners. Obsidian users appreciate: Your data stays on your device, Incredible plugin ecosystem. Common issues: Steeper learning curve.