Obsidian is a widely popular knowledge management tool known for its powerful bidirectional linking, customizable interface, and local file support. It helps users build a personalized knowledge base, particularly for those who need to organize and interlink large amounts of information. Its Markdown-based note-taking and document management system make it especially appealing for individuals and professionals who prefer control over their data and workflow.

However, despite Obsidian's powerful features, it isn't the ideal solution for everyone. Some users may seek alternatives with different functionality, user interfaces, or workflows. Whether you're looking for something more intuitive, collaborative, or lightweight, there are several excellent tools available that cater to a variety of needs.

In this article, we will explore 10 of the best Obsidian alternatives to consider in 2025, helping you find the tool that best fits your personal workflow and requirements.

List of the Best Obsidian Alternatives

Noteey

Noteey is a local-first knowledge management tool that helps users organize their notes and ideas. It lets you record content in cards in a simple, linear format and supports basic markdown. Unlike Obsidian, which focuses on markdown files and graph views, Noteey also includes a whiteboard feature to visually organize knowledge. You can manage local files and annotate PDFs and videos, making it easy to handle various types of content.

Noteey is a great choice for users who want to store their data locally and prefer a clean, simple way to organize information. While it doesn’t offer Obsidian’s advanced linking and graph features, it stands out with its ability to visualize and annotate content.

Here are some key features in Nottey:

Visual Organization

Noteey makes it easy to organize notes in a visual way. The infinite canvas lets you place text, images, PDFs, and videos wherever you want. You can move things around and arrange them to see how different ideas connect. This is great for users who like to work visually and need a flexible space to organize their thoughts.

Local File Integration

Noteey seamlessly integrates with local files, allowing you to store and access them directly within the app. This ensures your data stays secure and private, perfect for users who prefer offline storage. With everything in one place, you won’t need to switch between different tools or apps, making file management simpler and more efficient.

Complete Whiteboard Functionality

Although Obsidian offers a basic whiteboard feature for organizing notes and files, Noteey provides a more flexible approach with its customizable infinite canvas. This canvas allows you to organize and arrange your ideas in a non-linear way, giving you more freedom than the simple file arrangement options in Obsidian.

Highlighting Functionality

In Noteey, you can highlight content in PDFs and videos, enhancing your learning and review process. PDF highlights support both text and area highlights, allowing you to mark specific sections or regions within the document. For videos, highlights are linked to precise time stamps, making it easy to reference key moments.

Pricing

• Free, one-time payment of $99

Notion

Notion is a flexible productivity tool that combines note-taking, task management, and databases in one platform. Unlike Obsidian, which focuses on markdown and local storage, Notion is cloud-based and offers real-time collaboration. Users can create pages, databases, calendars, and kanban boards, making it ideal for team projects and organizing workflows.

Compared to Obsidian, Notion is better for those who need a visual interface and collaboration features. However, it may not be as suitable for people who prefer a text-based or offline note-taking system. While Obsidian works well for personal knowledge management, Notion is great for people who want an easy-to-use tool that can handle many different tasks.

Pros

• Notion has an easy drag-and-drop interface for creating content.
• It supports real-time collaboration for team projects.
• Workflows are customizable with templates and different views.
• Notion combines notes, tasks, wikis, and databases in one tool.

Cons

• Notion requires internet access for editing.
• Performance can slow with large databases.
• Markdown features are limited compared to Obsidian.
• Advanced features like databases and formulas can be hard to learn.

Pricing

• Free, $10/month for Plus, $15/month for Business

Logseq

Logseq is a flexible outliner-based note-taking tool that allows users to organize their thoughts and knowledge in a hierarchical, structured way. Unlike Obsidian’s graph-based linking system, Logseq organizes information using bullet points, outlines, and simple markdown files, making it ideal for those who prefer a more linear, structured approach. While Obsidian relies on local storage, Logseq offers both local and cloud syncing options, giving users control over their data. Its unique outliner format is perfect for managing knowledge, task lists, and journals, with strong support for backlinks and bidirectional linking.

Compared to Obsidian, Logseq provides a more minimalist, focused interface that emphasizes structure and organization. However, it may lack the visual appeal and customization options that Obsidian offers through plugins and themes. Logseq is a great choice for users who prefer a simple, text-based system with an emphasis on outlines, but may not be ideal for those looking for a more graphical or highly customizable environment.

Pros

• Logseq uses an intuitive outliner format for easy organization.
• It supports bidirectional linking and backlinks for better knowledge management.
• The tool is both cloud-syncable and offline-friendly.
• Logseq is great for task management and journaling.

Cons

• The outliner interface can be too rigid for some users.
• Logseq’s customization options are limited compared to Obsidian.
• It lacks advanced visual features like Obsidian's graph view.
• New users may find the learning curve steep when using advanced features.

Pricing

• Free

Evernote

Evernote is a popular note-taking app known for its cloud-based platform, enabling easy synchronization across devices. It supports rich text formatting, image embedding, and file attachments, making it ideal for organizing various content types. While its search and organizational tools are strong, it lacks the advanced linking features and local-first approach of Obsidian, making it better for general note-taking rather than personal knowledge management.

Compared to Obsidian, Evernote is more accessible for casual users, especially those who need quick and easy organization with multimedia support. However, it lacks the deep customization options and offline capabilities that Obsidian offers for more complex, long-term knowledge management systems.

Pros

• Evernote offers a user-friendly interface for quick note-taking and organization.
• It supports multimedia content like images, PDFs, and voice memos.
• Powerful search functionality helps users easily find content across notes.
• The cloud-based syncing makes it accessible on multiple devices.

Cons

• Evernote lacks advanced markdown and linking features found in Obsidian.
• It relies heavily on cloud syncing, requiring an internet connection for access.
• The free version has limited features, with storage restrictions.
• Not as customizable or extensible as Obsidian, with fewer plugin options.

Pricing

• Free, $10.83/month

Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application that focuses on simplicity and flexibility. It provides a clean interface for writing notes, organizing them into notebooks, and syncing across devices. Joplin supports markdowns for note formatting, file attachments, and task management, making it a versatile tool for everyday note-taking.

Unlike Obsidian, which is built around local markdown files and graph-based links, Joplin is a more straightforward solution, offering end-to-end encryption for added privacy. It’s ideal for users who value an open-source, privacy-focused tool. However, its lack of advanced features like Obsidian's graph view and customization options may make it less appealing for users seeking a more complex personal knowledge management system.

Pros

• Joplin is open-source, giving users control over their data.
• It supports markdown and file attachments, allowing versatile note creation.
• End-to-end encryption ensures privacy for sensitive data.
• It offers offline-first functionality with device synchronization.

Cons

• Lacks the advanced graph view and linking features found in Obsidian.
• Not as customizable as Obsidian, with fewer plugin options.
• Syncing across multiple devices can sometimes be inconsistent or tricky to set up.

Pricing

• Free, paid sync service from $4.99/month

Google Keep

Google Keep is a simple, cloud-based note-taking app designed for quick note capture and organization. It integrates well with Google services like Drive and Docs, making it ideal for users in the Google ecosystem. However, it lacks the advanced organizational features and linking capabilities of Obsidian, focusing more on ease and speed.

For users who prioritize speed and ease of use over complex features, Google Keep is an excellent tool for quickly jotting down thoughts, to-dos, and reminders. Its simplicity makes it ideal for casual note-taking, but it may not be the best choice for those looking for a more sophisticated system for managing and linking large amounts of information.

Pros

• Google Keep allows fast and easy note creation, including voice memos and images.
• It integrates seamlessly with other Google services like Drive and Docs.
• Notes can be organized with labels and color coding for quick access.

Cons

• Google Keep lacks advanced features like linking and graph views found in Obsidian.
• The organization system is simple and may not suit users with complex needs.
• Limited customization options and no support for markdown.
• It doesn’t offer offline functionality as reliably as some other tools.

Pricing

Free

Roam Research

Roam Research is a powerful tool designed for networked thought and knowledge management. Unlike Obsidian, which organizes notes primarily through local markdown files, Roam focuses on bidirectional linking and non-linear note-taking. It allows users to create a web of interconnected notes, where ideas and concepts are easily linked and explored through its unique graph-based structure. Roam is especially suited for those who want to build a knowledge base that grows organically over time, encouraging a more interconnected and dynamic approach to note-taking.

Roam Research is perfect for individuals who prefer a flexible, non-linear way of organizing thoughts and ideas. It offers a unique experience with its focus on bidirectional links, but may not appeal to users looking for a traditional, more structured note-taking method or a fully offline solution.

Pros

• Roam allows seamless bidirectional linking for building interconnected notes.
• It supports dynamic, non-linear note-taking that encourages creative thinking.
• The graph view provides an intuitive way to visualize relationships between notes.

Cons

• The user interface can feel overwhelming for new users due to its unique structure.
• Roam is cloud-based, requiring an internet connection to access and edit notes.
• It lacks extensive customization options compared to other tools like Obsidian.
• The subscription-based pricing may be prohibitive for some users.

Pricing

• $15/month or $165/year

Onenote

OneNote is a feature-rich note-taking application that integrates well within the Microsoft ecosystem. Unlike Obsidian, which focuses on markdown-based local notes and linking, OneNote provides a more traditional, notebook-style structure for organizing information. It supports rich text formatting, multimedia embedding, and real-time collaboration, making it ideal for both personal and team use. OneNote also allows users to sync across multiple devices via the cloud, ensuring easy access to notes from anywhere.

For users who prefer a structured, notebook-based approach to note-taking, OneNote is a solid choice. Its integration with Microsoft Office makes it especially appealing to those already using Microsoft tools, but it lacks the advanced markdown support and the deep linking and graph capabilities that Obsidian provides.

Pros

• It supports rich text formatting, images, audio, and files for multimedia notes.
• The app syncs across all devices using cloud storage.
• Real-time collaboration is supported, making it great for team projects.

Cons

• Its organizational structure can be limiting for users with complex knowledge management needs.
• Some features are only available through the desktop app, not the web version.
• The interface may feel cluttered for users who prefer a minimalist approach.

Pricing

• Free, $69.99/year for Microsoft 365 subscription

Heptabase

Heptabase is a visual note-taking tool that helps users organize and explore their ideas through a card-based structure. While Obsidian focuses on text-based links and local files, Heptabase allows users to create and connect visual cards, making it easier to map out and understand the relationships between different concepts. This approach enhances brainstorming and idea development.

For users who thrive in visual environments, Heptabase is an excellent option, offering a more intuitive way to build knowledge through mind maps and visual connections. However, its lack of deep markdown support and emphasis on visual organization might not suit users who prefer a more text-centric or offline-first system like Obsidian.

Pros

• Heptabase uses a card-based, visual interface for better idea mapping.
• The visual structure promotes better understanding and exploration of relationships between ideas.
• Heptabase offers an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.

Cons

• Heptabase lacks robust markdown features compared to tools like Obsidian.
• The visual approach can be overwhelming for users who prefer simplicity.
• The tool’s offline capabilities are not as strong as other note-taking app

Pricing

• $11.99/month or $8.99/month with annual plan

Milanote

Milanote is a visual-oriented note-taking tool tailored for creatives to organize their ideas, projects, and sources of inspiration. Unlike Obsidian’s markdown-based system, Milanote emphasizes a freeform, drag-and-drop interface where users can create mood boards, flowcharts, and visual notes. It’s particularly useful for organizing brainstorming sessions, creative projects, and multi-media content. Milanote also offers real-time collaboration and cloud syncing for teams working on creative projects.

For creatives or users who need a flexible, visual way to organize ideas, Milanote offers a unique experience that sets it apart from more traditional note-taking tools. However, it may not be suitable for those looking for a more structured, text-based knowledge management system like Obsidian.

Pros

• Milanote offers a highly visual, freeform interface ideal for creative projects.
• It supports multimedia content, including images, videos, and links.
• The tool offers real-time collaboration and cloud syncing for teams.
• Milanote’s drag-and-drop functionality makes organizing ideas easy and intuitive.

Cons

• Milanote lacks advanced markdown and text-based organization features.
• Its visual structure may not be ideal for users with text-heavy or linear note-taking needs.
• The free version has limited features, with restrictions on the number of notes.

Pricing

• Free, $12.5/month or $9.99/month with annual plan