Notesnook vs Obsidian
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Notesnook and Obsidian are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Notesnook — Private, end-to-end encrypted note-taking alternative to Evernote.
Choose Obsidian if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Local-first Markdown knowledge base.
Notesnook vs Obsidian: side by side
| Dimension | Notesnook | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4.99/user/mo | Free – $4/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Privacy Conscious Users, Individuals | Researchers, Writers, Power Users |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android | Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
Notesnook key facts
- Vendor
- Streetwriters
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4.99/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Privacy Conscious Users, Individuals
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Pakistan
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 Notesnook 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 Notesnook or Obsidian cheaper?
Notesnook is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $4.99/user/mo. Notesnook starts at free – $4.99/user/mo; Obsidian starts at free – $4/mo.
Can Notesnook 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.