Keeping track of notes is never easy, especially in busy workplaces with dynamic teams where information is constantly changing and being updated.
In 2024, a good note-taking system is essential, not just convenient — it keeps busy people organized and productive. Obsidian and Notion are top note-taking apps for personal and business use to help you manage workflows and secure information.
This article will highlight the differences between Obsidian and Notion and help you choose the best note-taking app for your needs.
Obsidian vs. Notion in a nutshell
Obsidian's selling point is its graph view, visually linking notes for those who value interconnected thinking. Notion stands out with its community templates; a lot of premade layouts for various needs are available. Each app serves different preferences: Obsidian for customization lovers and Notion for collaboration enthusiasts.
Lark emerges as a versatile alternative. It blends note-taking with integrated collaboration tools like chat, video calls, and document sharing in one platform. Ideal for both teams and individuals, Lark streamlines productivity and teamwork.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which has the best features?
When it comes to note-taking apps, Notion and Obsidian are often recommended, as each caters to different needs and preferences. Keep reading to learn more about the best tool to organize your thoughts and projects.
Notion
Notion's most notable feature is its vast array of free and premium templates — users will find it easy to jumpstart their projects using these templates. Its block-based system allows for creating lists, tables, charts, and more, offering flexibility in organizing content.
Keep in mind that mastering Notion's features might take some time due to its depth.
Notion works on all devices, thanks to cloud hosting. You can begin a project on a computer and continue on mobile. This lets users work from anywhere, at any time. Notion also offers boards, calendars, lists, and galleries for various needs. And teams find its collaborative tools perfect.
Obsidian
Obsidian offers a minimalistic approach, focusing on the interlinking of notes to build a knowledge base. It uses Markdown for text formatting, appealing to users familiar with this syntax. Others may have a learning curve.
Unlike Notion, Obsidian stores data locally, offering a paid Sync plugin for secure note-sharing across devices.
Its standout feature, the Graph view, visualizes the connections between notes. This provides a unique way to see the relationships within your data. While Obsidian caters more to individual users, its Publish add-on allows for team collaboration.
Obsidian's availability across web, desktop, and mobile platforms ensures users can access their data wherever they go, prioritizing privacy and data ownership.
Introducing Lark
Lark is a powerful suite of tools built for collaboration and productivity. It combines chat, video conferencing, documents, and a calendar into a single app.
Lark builds from the ground up with teamwork in mind. It simplifies project management and document creation with a unified workspace. Users can create, share, and edit documents in real time with Lark, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which has the best integrations?
Obsidian and Notion approach integrations differently. However, users can enhance each platform through external connections. Here is how each works:
Notion: Native integrations
Notion works with native integrations. Users can connect with many popular apps such as Google Drive, Jira, and Slack. This direct integration facilitates a smooth workflow.
It's possible to incorporate external content without leaving the Notion environment. Additionally, Notion's marketplace is rich with choice. It allows users to customize their workspace to suit their specific needs.
Obsidian: Customizable through plugins
Obsidian takes a different route. It doesn't offer native integrations directly. Instead, it provides a selection of plugins developed by its community. This approach allows users to tailor their experience by adding only the needed features.
For those looking to create custom integrations, Obsidian supports connections through Zapier and IFTTT. This support enables users to link their notes with other services to manage their workflows.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which has the best pricing?
Pricing is important for note-taking apps. No one wants to pay premium prices if they only use it for personal use. Both Notion and Obsidian cater to all price ranges with generous free plans. Here's a detailed comparison:
Notion: Tiered pricing
The free version suits beginners but may limit those needing advanced features. Plus, Business, and Enterprise plans are priced monthly and scaled with growing needs.
Notion's flexible paid tiers cater to a broad audience. From individual users to large enterprises, Notion is a versatile choice.
Free plan: Available for personal use but comes with restrictions on analytics and page history, which might limit advanced users.
Plus plan ($8/user/month): Removes restrictions and offers unlimited file uploads as well as full access to version history and targeting power users.
Business plan ($15/user/month): Tailored for teams and includes collaborative tools, shared workspaces, and more control over permissions.
Enterprise plan: Offers advanced features for large organizations. Includes dedicated manager support and enhanced security features. Custom pricing is available depending on the organization's needs.
Most individual users will find the free tier offers plenty. Once the need for more collaboration arises, users can scale up to a paid plan. Notion offers savings for users who pay annually.
Obsidian: Flat pricing with add-ons
The free version is great for personal use, focusing on privacy and data control. With its one-time annual fee, the commercial license presents an affordable option for dedicated users.
Meanwhile, users who need special features can pay monthly for add-ons. This allows users greater control over the price they pay.
Free plan: Offers personal use with community support, making it accessible for individuals.
Commercial license ($50/year): This premium tier adds priority support, appealing to users who want more from the service.
Obsidian Sync ($8/user/month): For users needing secure cloud storage to sync their notes across devices.
Obsidian Publish ($8/site/month): Allows users to share their notes online.
Obsidian's model is cost-effective for users scaling up and balancing functionality and price.
Lark offers more generous user limits on its free tier. Businesses with up to 50 users can get started with Lark’s all-in-one solution.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which has the best customer service?
Notion doesn't offer in-house support for its free-tier users. It relies instead on a knowledge base for self-help. Paid tier users enjoy priority support.
Enterprise customers benefit from the added value of a dedicated customer success manager, ensuring that larger teams have direct access to assistance when needed.
Obsidian users lean on its community for support, especially those using the free tier. It runs a Discord server and a community forum where users can seek help and share insights.
Obsidian provides paid users the option to contact the team via email for priority support. It also maintains a knowledge base for self-service help.
For users seeking more consistent support across all tiers, Lark offers 24/7 support. Lark is an excellent option for those prioritizing accessible and reliable customer service.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which is the easiest to use?
Ease of use is one of the most important features of a note-taking app. They need to function across platforms and not create unnecessary barriers for users. Both Notion and Obsidian feature minimalistic dashboards but operate differently.
Notion: Tables, databases, and more
Notion is full of features. At first, this can overwhelm users with its breadth of functionality. Despite this, making tables, databases, and dashboards is straightforward. This allows for fast setup and personalization.
Its intuitive dashboard and the ability to craft simple and complex workspaces make it accessible to many users. Notion’s mobile app maintains the functionality of the desktop and web versions.
Manual migration to Notion is generally available for Asana users through an Importer tool, simplifying the process.
Obsidian: Markdown syntax
With its Markdown-based system, Obsidian presents a learning curve for those unfamiliar with Markdown. However, it rewards users with high customizability and a minimalistic design. Its primary focus is linking notes and visualizing connections through its graph view.
The mobile app mirrors the desktop's functionality, offering a consistent device experience. Yet, migrating to Obsidian can be challenging. Users unfamiliar with Markdown may need time to set up their workspace effectively.
Obsidian focuses on note organization. Notion excels in project management. Lark combines messaging, video calls, calendars, and document creation in one place. This makes work easier. You switch apps less, boosting productivity and teamwork.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which is the most secure and compliant?
Obsidian and Notion offer features designed to protect user data. But they approach security from different angles.
Obsidian prioritizes data privacy through local storage. This significantly reduces the risks associated with cloud storage systems. Obsidian protects data with end-to-end encryption for those opting for the Sync feature. It’s virtually inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
Additionally, Obsidian supports two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security. However, it's important to note that Obsidian cannot recover lost data, placing the responsibility for backups squarely on the user.
Notion, conversely, operates primarily in the cloud and maintains high-security standards. It offers 2FA, enhancing account security. Notion complies with major privacy and security laws, including GDPR, ensuring they handle user data responsibly.
Despite being cloud-based, there have been no known data breaches, and data within Notion's internal systems is encrypted. Notion's infrastructure is hosted on AWS, benefiting from Amazon's robust security measures.
Lark takes security and compliance to the next level. It offers comprehensive security features that meet global standards and encrypts data in transit and at rest.
Lark commits to compliance with international privacy laws. This commitment makes it a trustworthy option for businesses concerned with data protection. With Lark, users can enjoy a secure collaboration environment without compromising functionality.
Obsidian vs. Notion: What are other users saying?
Obsidian and Notion receive high praise from their users in note-taking apps, but for different reasons.
Obsidian: A second brain
Obsidian boasts a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Product Hunt. Users celebrate its ability to serve as a "second brain." Fans admire the back-linking of notes and the graph view. The graph view visually connects thoughts.
“My second brain. The back-linking of notes and the graph view of how all your notes are connected are akin to science fiction but life has been known to be stranger than fiction anyway. Obsidian, killed my 10 year+ relationship with Evernote in 30 minutes.” - David Ogundeko, Product Hunt
This user even noted that Obsidian ended their decade-long use of Evernote within just 30 minutes. However, some users find Obsidian overly complex. They suggest that it doesn't offer functionalities beyond what Microsoft Word provides.
Notion: Versatile tool
Notion has a slightly lower rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Product Hunt but still enjoys enthusiastic support. Users laud it as the "coolest productivity tool," likening it to a combination of Trello, Google Docs, and Evernote.
“An excellent solution for managing personal notes, data and other records. Also great for sharing information.” - Nick Anisimov, Product Hunt
Notion is praised for its versatility in organizing, note-taking, task tracking, and team collaboration. Despite its acclaim, Notion isn't without its criticisms. Some users express frustration over unexpected charges and slow response times from customer support.
Obsidian vs. Notion: Which is right for you?
Choosing between Obsidian and Notion depends largely on your specific needs. Obsidian is best positioned as the go-to choice for individuals. Its strength lies in creating a personal knowledge base.
The unique graph view and back-linking capabilities stand out. These features make it easier to see how ideas connect. Obsidian's local storage model also appeals to those concerned with privacy and data control.
Notion is the better option for those seeking enhanced team collaboration. Its user-friendly block-based system simplifies creating and organizing content. Notion's ability to create shared workspaces benefits project management and collaboration. Its extensive template library further streamlines workflow setup, making it adaptable to various project needs and team sizes.
However, for teams looking for an even more integrated solution, Lark is the right option for you. Lark's suite of products can meet the needs of teams of all sizes, combining:
Chat
Video conferencing
Calendar
Document collaboration
This integration facilitates communication and collaboration. The platform helps reduce the need to juggle multiple apps and tools. Lark's unified workspace makes it ideal for teams aiming for high efficiency and productivity.
Conclusion
Obsidian is for prolific note-takers who can benefit from its interconnecting and graph view. Notion works best for people looking to collaborate in its workspaces.
However, Lark is the top choice for those looking for an all-in-one solution that bridges individual note-taking and team collaboration.
Try Lark for free today and experience a unified platform designed to amplify your productivity and collaboration.
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