Notion vs Obsidian: which to choose to organize your ideas and notes like a pro?

The market for productivity tools is exploding, and with it an existential question: which software should you choose to organize your notes and structure your ideas? Among the sector's behemoths, two names keep coming up: Notion VS Obsidian. 🤜🤛

On the one hand, Obsidian, the champion of structured minds, relies on ultra-secure local storage and mind-map-style note-taking. On the other, Notion, the all-in-one tool that makes teams happy thanks to its collaborative workspace and modular databases.

So, which is the best choice for your needs? This article examines their strengths and weaknesses: features, interface, collaboration, price... In the end, you'll know exactly which one is right for you.

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What is Notion?

Notion overview

Notion is a versatile application that combines note-taking, project management and collaboration within an integrated workspace. Founded in 2013 by Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, start-up Notion Labs Inc. has won over a wide audience thanks to its flexibility and ability to centralize various features in one place.

• What does it do? Notion enables users to organize their information flexibly, using a variety of formats such as notes, relational databases, to-do lists, calendars and tables.
• Who's it for? Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to structure your projects, a member of an SME looking to improve team collaboration, or a freelancer wanting to organize your personal tasks, Notion is suitable for a multitude of profiles!
• A few figures: In September 2019, Notion announced that it had reached one million users. In April 2020, the platform was valued at $2 billion with 4 million users. 🌍

Notion's key features

• Customizable databases: Notion offers the possibility of creating customized databases to organize and structure information according to your specific needs.
• Kanban boards: For visual task management, Notion offers Kanban-style boards, making it easy to keep track of ongoing projects.
• Integrated calendars : Schedule your events and deadlines directly within the application, thanks to synchronized calendars.
• Multiple integrations: Notion integrates with various external tools, enriching its features and adapting to your digital ecosystem.
• Real-time collaboration: Work simultaneously with colleagues, share pages and databases, and track changes in real time.

Notion

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Project Management and Note-taking Software

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Advantages and disadvantages of Notion

✅ Advantages

• Exceptional versatility: Notion centralizes a multitude of tools into a single platform, reducing the need for multiple applications.
• Extensive customization: The application enables in-depth personalization, adapting to the specific workflows of each user.
• Intuitive interface: Its clean design and easy handling make for a pleasant user experience.

⚠️ Disadvantages

• Learning curve: The wealth of functions can be confusing for new users, requiring time to adapt.
• Variable performance: Some users have reported slowness, particularly with large databases.
• Limited mobile functionality: The mobile application is sometimes perceived as performing less well than the desktop version.

👉 All in all, Notion is positioned as a powerful and adaptable tool, ideal for those looking for an all-in-one solution to organize their work and projects.

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian overview

Obsidian is a personal knowledge management and note-taking application that works on locally stored Markdown files. Launched in 2020 by Shida Li and Erica Xu, the solution is aimed at users who want total control over their data, without relying on cloud storage.

Its users include researchers, writers and professionals from a variety of sectors, who appreciate the flexibility and customization offered by Obsidian. Although precise figures on its user base are not publicly available, its active community and numerous extensions testify to its growing popularity.

Obsidian's main features

• Bidirectional links: Each note can be linked to another, creating a network of interconnected ideas.
• Graphical visualization: Obsidian offers a visual representation of connections between notes, making it easy to navigate and discover relationships between concepts.
• Customization via plugins: An extensive library of plugins extends Obsidian's functionality, from task management and calendar integration to other tools tailored to users' specific needs.
• Offline operation: All notes are stored locally, guaranteeing access even without an Internet connection and enhanced confidentiality.
• Markdown support: Obsidian uses Markdown syntax, enabling simple and efficient note formatting.

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Advantages and disadvantages of Obsidian

✅ Advantages

• Total data control: Local storage ensures maximum confidentiality, ideal for those who prioritize the security of their information.
• Flexibility and customization: Thanks to plugins and themes, users can adapt Obsidian to their specific needs, creating a tailor-made working environment.
• Visualization of connections: The graphical visualization function lets you see how ideas are interconnected, offering a unique perspective on information.

⚠️ Disadvantages

• Learning curve: Obsidian can seem complex for new users, requiring a period of adaptation to fully master its functionalities.
• Lack of real-time collaboration: Unlike other tools, Obsidian does not offer native features for simultaneous collaboration, which can be a hindrance for teams.
• Paid synchronization: Although local storage is an advantage, synchronization between multiple devices requires a paid subscription to Obsidian Sync.

👉 All in all, Obsidian is a powerful tool for those looking for a highly customizable, privacy-focused note-taking solution. However, its lack of collaborative features and initial complexity may not suit all users.

Notion vs Obsidian: compare features

Notion and Obsidian each have their own vision of note-taking and idea organization.

• Notion' s approach is collaborative and modular,
• Obsidian favors a more personal, localized approach to knowledge management.

Here's a comparative table of key features to help you choose the tool that best suits your needs:

Notion vs Obsidian: compare prices

Let's move on to a key element in the choice of a tool: price. Notion and Obsidian have very different pricing models: freemium with cloud subscriptions for Notion, free with flexible paid options for Obsidian. Here's a price comparison to help you understand what each tool has to offer.

Rates as of March 2025.

Notion vs Obsidian: which interface is more intuitive?

The user interface determines how pleasant and easy a tool is to learn. Notion takes a structured, visual approach , ideal for those who like to organize their content seamlessly. Obsidian, on the other hand, favors a minimalist, customizable experience, perfect for advanced users.

If we were to rate their interfaces, it would look like this:

• Notion: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) - Intuitive, modern and well-thought-out interface, but can be complex to master at first.
• Obsidian: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.5/5) - Very customizable, but Markdown-based, which can slow learning for beginners.

Here's a comparison chart of the different aspects of their interfaces:

When to choose Notion or Obsidian?

You've probably already figured it out: the choice between Notion and Obsidian depends on your specific organization, collaboration and knowledge management needs. Here are some examples to illustrate the use cases for each tool.

Examples of Notion use cases

Team project management

Notion is ideal for teams wishing to centralize project management. Thanks to its database, calendar and Kanban board features, it enables tasks to be tracked, responsibilities to be assigned and deadlines to be met.

For example, a marketing team can

• plan a campaign,
• manage deliverables,
• track progress
• and keep collaborative files up to date

The ability to integrate other tools further optimizes their workflow.

Create a website or sales page

Notion can be used to quickly create a website or sales page without advanced technical skills. With tools like Super.so or Popsy.co, it's possible to transform a Notion workspace into a customized website, meeting SEO requirements and offering a fluid user experience.

Examples of Obsidian use cases

Personal knowledge management for researchers and writers

Obsidian is particularly well suited to users seeking to structure their personal knowledge. Researchers and writers can create a network of interconnected knowledge, making it easy to navigate between different theories or ideas.

For example, a researcher can develop a library of concepts in Obsidian, keeping research notes meticulously organized and accessible at all times, guaranteeing security and confidentiality.

Recipe management and shopping lists

Obsidian can be used for everyday purposes such as recipe management and shopping lists. Thanks to plugins such as Dataview, it is possible to create a database of interconnected recipes and automatically generate shopping lists based on the ingredients required.

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Have you decided between Notion and Obsidian?

The choice between Notion and Obsidian depends above all on your needs and the way you work.

• Are you looking for a collaborative, structured and versatile tool? → Notion is for you. Its all-in-one approach and numerous integrations make it an ally of choice for teams and professionals juggling multiple projects.
• Prefer a private, ultra-flexible and customizable note-taking space? → Obsidian is a no-brainer. Its bi-directional linking system and local storage appeal to those who want total control over their data and tailor-made organization.

👉 Need collaboration and a turnkey tool? Go to Notion.
👉 Want to build your own knowledge management system? Go for Obsidian.

In the end, it's all a question of priorities: structuring and collaboration vs. freedom and total control. The choice is yours!