Obsidian vs Trilium Notes
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Hierarchical open-source notes for building knowledge bases.
The verdict
Both Obsidian and Trilium Notes are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Obsidian if you want a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Local-first Markdown knowledge base.
Trilium Notes — Hierarchical open-source notes for building knowledge bases.
Obsidian vs Trilium Notes: side by side
| Dimension | Obsidian | Trilium Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Researchers, Writers, Power Users | Developers, Knowledge Hoarders |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android | Windows, Mac, Linux, Self Hosted |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.4/5 |
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
Trilium Notes key facts
- Vendor
- Trilium
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Knowledge Hoarders
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Czech Republic
Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian better than Trilium Notes?
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 Obsidian or Trilium Notes cheaper?
Obsidian is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $4/mo. Obsidian starts at free – $4/mo; Trilium Notes starts at free.
Can Obsidian replace Trilium Notes?
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.