Head-to-head comparison

Evernote vs Obsidian

Comparing Evernote and Obsidian to help you pick the right Note & Writing Apps for your needs.

Feature Evernote Obsidian
Pricing Freemium Free
Platforms Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Editorial rating ★ 3.7 / 5 ★ 4.7 / 5
Starting price $0/month $0
Community votes 18 980

Evernote Pros & Cons

  • Web clipper is mature, reliable, and one of the longest-standing implementations of that specific capability, preserving article formatting and images well
  • Long track record and broad cross-platform availability across nearly every device type
  • Powerful search, including text recognition within images and scanned documents, helps locate information across a large note archive
  • Notebook and tag organization system is simple and proven, without requiring the steeper learning curve of database-style tools
  • Free tier is quite limited compared to newer competitors like Notion or Obsidian, which generally offer more generous free usage before requiring payment
  • Pricing is on the higher end relative to feature-comparable alternatives, particularly given Evernote's narrower focus relative to broader workspace tools
  • Less suited to team collaboration and structured database-style organization than newer tools like Notion built around those use cases from the start
  • Interface and feature development pace have generally been considered slower than more actively innovating newer competitors

Obsidian Pros & Cons

  • 100% offline — no internet required, ever
  • Notes stored as plain Markdown files you own and control
  • Bidirectional linking reveals unexpected connections between ideas
  • Visual graph view maps the structure of your knowledge
  • Over 1,000 community plugins extend functionality radically
  • No native collaboration — designed for individual use
  • Steeper learning curve than cloud-based tools
  • No built-in database views (requires Dataview plugin)
  • Mobile apps are less refined than desktop
  • Plugin quality varies widely

Verdict: Evernote vs Obsidian

Evernote and Obsidian both serve the Note & Writing Apps category well, but suit different priorities. Obsidian is the more budget-friendly option, Obsidian carries the stronger editorial rating (4.7 / 5), Obsidian supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, Obsidian is currently the more widely adopted choice (980 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Evernote or Obsidian?
Obsidian is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as free, while Evernote is freemium. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
Is Evernote or Obsidian rated higher?
Obsidian has the higher editorial rating at 4.7 out of 5, compared to Evernote's 3.7 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
Which platforms do Evernote and Obsidian support?
Evernote is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Obsidian is available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Obsidian covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
Can I switch from Evernote to Obsidian (or vice versa)?
Most note & writing apps tools, including Evernote and Obsidian, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
Should I choose Evernote or Obsidian?
Evernote and Obsidian both serve the Note & Writing Apps category well, but suit different priorities. Obsidian is the more budget-friendly option, Obsidian carries the stronger editorial rating (4.7 / 5), Obsidian supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, Obsidian is currently the more widely adopted choice (980 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.