productivity
writing
Notion vs Obsidian
A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose.
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining notes, docs, databases, and AI writing assistance
8.3Excellent
Obsidian
Private, local-first knowledge base using markdown files and bidirectional links
7.5Very Good
Our Verdict
We recommend Notion
Notion edges ahead with stronger scores in key areas.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| API Access | ||
| Plugins / Extensions | ||
| Image Generation | ||
| Code Execution | ||
| File Upload | ||
| Web Search | ||
| Max Context Window | 32K tokens | N/A |
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Unlimited pages, basic AI, limited blocks | Free Free for personal use, all core features |
| Plus | $12 Unlimited blocks, file uploads, version history | $50 One-time license for business use |
| Business | $18 Advanced permissions, SAML SSO, bulk PDF export | $10 End-to-end encrypted cloud sync add-on |
| Enterprise | Free Custom pricing, advanced security, dedicated support | $16 Publish notes as a public website add-on |
Score Breakdown
| Dimension | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Features | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Value for Money | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Support | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Overall | 8.3 | 7.5 |
Pros & Cons
Notion
Pros
- +Extremely flexible workspace that replaces multiple tools
- +Powerful database views: tables, kanban, calendar, gallery
- +Built-in AI for writing, summarizing, and brainstorming
- +Strong free tier for individuals and small teams
Cons
- −Steep learning curve for new users
- −Performance can lag with very large databases
- −Mobile app experience is inferior to desktop
Obsidian
Pros
- +Completely free for personal use with no feature limitations
- +All notes stored locally as plain markdown files
- +Massive plugin ecosystem with 1000+ community plugins
- +Bidirectional linking and graph view for knowledge mapping
Cons
- −Steep learning curve to unlock full potential
- −No built-in AI — requires plugins for AI features
- −Sync and publish features cost extra