Notion vs Obsidian 2026: Which Note-Taking App is Better?
Choosing between Notion and Obsidian is one of the biggest decisions in the productivity space. Both are excellent, but they serve different purposes.
Quick Answer:
- Choose Notion for collaboration, databases, and all-in-one workspace
- Choose Obsidian for personal knowledge management and local-first notes
At a Glance
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Type | All-in-one workspace | Note-taking/PKM |
| Storage | Cloud | Local files |
| Collaboration | ✅ Excellent | Limited |
| Offline | Limited | ✅ Full |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Medium |
What is Notion?
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, databases, wikis, and project management. Think of it as a digital Swiss Army knife.
Best Features
- Databases — Flexible tables, boards, calendars
- Templates — Thousands of pre-built templates
- Collaboration — Real-time editing with teams
- Integrations — Connects to 100+ apps
- Web clipper — Save content from anywhere
Limitations
- Requires internet for full functionality
- Can feel slow with large workspaces
- Your data lives on Notion’s servers
- AI features require paid plan
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app that stores everything as local Markdown files. It’s beloved by writers, researchers, and anyone building a “second brain.”
Best Features
- Local storage — Your files, your control
- Backlinks — Connect notes with [[links]]
- Graph view — Visualize knowledge connections
- Plugins — 1000+ community plugins
- Markdown — Future-proof format
- Offline — Works without internet
Limitations
- No real-time collaboration (without paid Sync)
- Steeper learning curve
- Mobile apps less polished
- Requires manual backup
Feature Comparison
Note-Taking
| Aspect | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Rich text | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good |
| Markdown | ✅ Supported | ✅ Native |
| Blocks | ✅ Drag & drop | ❌ No |
| Templates | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Via plugins |
| Speed | Slower | ✅ Fast |
Winner: Tie — Notion for ease, Obsidian for speed.
Organization
| Aspect | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Folders | ✅ Pages/subpages | ✅ Folder structure |
| Tags | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Databases | ✅ Powerful | Via plugins |
| Backlinks | ✅ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Graph view | ❌ No | ✅ Built-in |
Winner: Depends — Notion for databases, Obsidian for linking.
Collaboration
| Aspect | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time editing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Comments | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Sharing | ✅ Easy | Requires publish |
| Team workspaces | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Guest access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Winner: Notion — Clear winner for teams.
Privacy & Ownership
| Aspect | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Data location | Cloud | ✅ Local |
| Offline access | Limited | ✅ Full |
| Export | ✅ Markdown/CSV | ✅ Already local |
| Encryption | Server-side | ✅ Optional E2E |
| Ownership | Notion’s servers | ✅ Your files |
Winner: Obsidian — Your data stays yours.
Pricing
Notion Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited pages, 10 guests |
| Plus | $10/mo | Unlimited file uploads, 100 guests |
| Business | $18/mo | Team features, SAML SSO |
| Enterprise | Custom | Advanced security, support |
Obsidian Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $0 | Core app, plugins |
| Sync | $8/mo | Cross-device sync |
| Publish | $8/mo | Public website |
| Commercial | $50/user/year | Business use |
Verdict: Both are free for personal use. Obsidian Sync + Publish = $16/mo vs Notion Plus at $10/mo.
Use Cases
Choose Notion For:
- Team wikis — Shared documentation
- Project management — Kanban boards, timelines
- Databases — CRM, inventory, tracking
- Non-technical users — Easier learning curve
- Collaboration — Real-time teamwork
Choose Obsidian For:
- Personal knowledge base — Second brain
- Writers — Distraction-free writing
- Researchers — Academic notes, linking
- Privacy-focused — Local-first storage
- Power users — Plugin customization
Can You Use Both?
Yes! Many users use:
- Notion for team projects and databases
- Obsidian for personal notes and learning
They serve different purposes and can complement each other.
Migration Tips
Notion → Obsidian
- Export from Notion as Markdown
- Import into Obsidian vault
- Fix links manually (or use converter plugin)
- Rebuild database views
Obsidian → Notion
- Copy Markdown files
- Paste into Notion (preserves formatting)
- Recreate folder structure as pages
- Add database views as needed
Our Verdict
| Need | Choose |
|---|---|
| Team collaboration | Notion |
| Personal knowledge management | Obsidian |
| Databases and tables | Notion |
| Privacy and ownership | Obsidian |
| Easiest to start | Notion |
| Most customizable | Obsidian |
| Offline work | Obsidian |
| All-in-one workspace | Notion |
The Bottom Line
Notion is better for teams and people who want everything in one place.
Obsidian is better for individuals who value privacy, speed, and deep linking.
Try both—they’re free. You’ll know which fits your brain within a week.
Last updated: January 2026