MarginNote vs Obsidian
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Reading, annotation, and study notes combined for deep learning.
The verdict
Both MarginNote and Obsidian are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
MarginNote — Reading, annotation, and study notes combined for deep learning.
Choose Obsidian if you'd rather have a free plan to start on, broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Local-first Markdown knowledge base.
MarginNote vs Obsidian: side by side
| Dimension | MarginNote | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $99.99/user once | Free – $4/mo |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | One-time | Freemium |
| Best for | Students, Researchers | Researchers, Writers, Power Users |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, AndroidWinner |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
MarginNote key facts
- Vendor
- MarginNote
- Pricing
- One-time — Free – $99.99/user once
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Mac, Ios
- Best for
- Students, Researchers
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- China
Obsidian key facts
- Vendor
- Obsidian
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Researchers, Writers, Power Users
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Remote
Frequently asked questions
Is MarginNote better than Obsidian?
Neither is universally better — Obsidian edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is MarginNote or Obsidian cheaper?
MarginNote is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $99.99/user once. MarginNote starts at free – $99.99/user once; Obsidian starts at free – $4/mo.
Can MarginNote replace Obsidian?
Yes for most teams — both are note taking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.