Notion vs Obsidian: which should you choose to organise 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 organise your notes and structure your ideas? Among the behemoths in the sector, 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 takes a closer look at 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?

Overview of Notion

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 centralise various features in one place.

• What does it do? Notion allows users to organise their information in a flexible way, 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 self-employed person wanting to organise 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 main features

• Customisable databases: Notion offers the ability to create bespoke databases to organise and structure information according to your specific needs.
• Kanban boards: For visual task management, Notion offers Kanban-style boards, making it easy to track ongoing projects.
• Integrated calendars: Plan your events and deadlines directly in the application thanks to synchronised calendars.
• Multiple integrations: Notion integrates with various external tools, enriching its features and adapting to your digital ecosystem.
• Real-time collaboration: Work simultaneously with your colleagues, share pages and databases, and track changes in real time.

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Advantages and disadvantages of Notion

✅ Advantages

• Exceptional versatility: Notion centralises a multitude of tools into a single platform, reducing the need for multiple applications.
• Extensive customisation: The application allows in-depth customisation, adapting to the specific workflows of each user.
• Intuitive interface: Its clean design and ease of use make for a pleasant user experience.

⚠️ Disadvantages

• Learning curve: The wealth of functionality 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 not performing as well as 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 for organising their work and projects.

What is Obsidian?

Overview of Obsidian

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, this 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 customisation offered by Obsidian. Although precise figures on its user base are not publicly available, its active community and numerous extensions are testament to its growing popularity.

Obsidian's main features

• Bidirectional links: Each note can be linked to another, creating a network of interconnected ideas.
• Graphical visualisation: Obsidian provides a visual representation of the connections between notes, making it easy to navigate and discover relationships between concepts.
• Customisation via plugins: A vast library of plugins allows you to extend Obsidian's functionality, whether it's task management, calendar integration or 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 notes to be formatted simply and effectively.

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Advantages and disadvantages of Obsidian

✅ Advantages

• Total data control: Local storage ensures maximum confidentiality, ideal for those who prioritise the security of their information.
• Flexibility and customisation: Thanks to plugins and themes, users can adapt Obsidian to their specific needs, creating a bespoke working environment.
• Visualisation of connections: The graphical visualisation 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 time to get used to its features.
• 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 synchronisation: While local storage is an advantage, syncing across multiple devices requires a paid subscription to Obsidian Sync.

👉 All in all, Obsidian is a powerful tool for those looking for a highly customisable, 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 organising ideas.

• Notion takes a collaborative, modular approach,
• Obsidian favours a more personal and local knowledge management approach.

Here is 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 factor in choosing 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 comparison of the offerings to give you a better understanding of what each tool has to offer.

Prices as at March 2025.

Notion vs Obsidian: which interface is more intuitive?

The user interface determines how pleasant and easy a tool is to use. Notion has a structured, visual approach , ideal for those who like to organise their content in a fluid way. Obsidian, on the other hand, favours a minimalist, customisable 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 customisable, but Markdown-based, which can slow down the learning curve for beginners.

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

When should you choose Notion or Obsidian?

As you've probably already realised, the choice between Notion and Obsidian depends on your specific needs in terms of organisation, collaboration and knowledge management. 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 centralise the management of their projects. 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 optimises their workflow.

Creating a website or sales page

Notion can be used to quickly create a website or sales page without advanced technical skills. With tools such as Super.so or Popsy.co, it's possible to transform a Notion workspace into a personalised website, respecting 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 looking to structure their personal knowledge. Researchers and writers can create a network of interconnected knowledge, making it easier to navigate between different theories or ideas.

For example, a researcher can develop a library of concepts in Obsidian, keeping research notes meticulously organised 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's possible to create a database of interconnected recipes and automatically generate shopping lists based on the ingredients required.

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Have you made your choice 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 made for you. Its all-in-one approach and numerous integrations make it a great ally for teams and professionals juggling multiple projects.
• Prefer a private, ultra-flexible and customisable note-taking space? → Obsidian is a no-brainer. Its two-way linking system and local storage appeal to those who want total control over their data and made-to-measure organisation.

👉 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!