Notion vs Obsidian: Which Note-Taking App Is Right for You?
Published May 21, 2025 · 7 min read
If you’re trying to get your digital life together — or just keep track of the mess in your brain — you’ve probably heard of Notion and Obsidian. I’ve used both, sometimes at the same time, depending on what I’m working on. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of how they differ and which one might actually work for you.
🧠 Philosophy & Workflow
- Notion: Visual, block-based, and all-in-one. Feels like a digital workspace for people who like structure and templates.
- Obsidian: Minimal, markdown-based, and personal. Feels like a digital journal with superpowers for linking thoughts.
Notion works well if you want drag-and-drop organization and team collaboration. Obsidian is more like a second brain you build over time — and no one else touches it.
📊 Feature Comparison
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Cloud-based | Local-first (markdown files) |
| Graph View | Basic (limited) | Advanced backlink network |
| Mobile App | Great | Good but text-heavy |
| Team Collaboration | Excellent | Limited (mostly solo use) |
| Learning Curve | Low to medium | Medium to high |
💸 Pricing
- Notion: Free for personal use; team plans start at $8/month
- Obsidian: Free for personal use; optional sync/publish add-ons
Notion charges for collaboration and workspace features. Obsidian is free forever unless you want encrypted sync across devices or publish a vault online.
🙋♂️ Which One Should You Use?
Use Notion if you:
- Like things to be visual and organized
- Work in a team, or want to build a wiki, planner, or database
- Prefer a clean mobile app with widgets and reminders
Use Obsidian if you:
- Write to think, and want to connect ideas over time
- Care about privacy, speed, and owning your notes
- Don’t mind a bit of setup (themes, plugins, customization)
🧠 Final Thoughts
Both apps are excellent — they just speak to different kinds of thinkers. I use Notion for structured stuff: goals, reading lists, blog planning. I use Obsidian when I need to untangle thoughts or connect ideas I didn’t even know were related. Try both. See what sticks.
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