Comparison
Notion vs Obsidian: which to choose
Updated
Platforms and free plans compared
Manufacturer declarations with sources. No hands-on test and no score.
Which devices do Notion and Obsidian run on, and is there a free plan?
Both makers declare a free plan, and both list iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. Obsidian also declares Linux; Notion's entry does not. A platform missing from a maker's list isn't proof the app won't run there. It just means no verified declaration to show you.
Start from the device you actually write on. If you read notes on your phone and write on a laptop, check both entries before you commit. I haven't tested either app, so every platform claim here comes from the makers, not from me.
Want a closer look before choosing? Notion — View product details.
How to narrow the choice to one app
Begin with where you write and where you read: computer, phone, or both. If you're replacing an app, read its documentation on exporting existing notes before you compare anything else. Moving years of notes is the step people regret skipping.
Being available on two devices doesn't prove that syncing between them is free. Treat those as separate questions and check each one on the official source.
Explore and compare
Product detailsObsidianView product details Buying guideNote-taking and organisation appsCompare alternatives
Notion: declared platforms and free plan
Notion's maker declares iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, plus a free plan. That declaration doesn't say which features the free plan includes. Open the source and read the requirements for your device's version before you decide.
If Linux matters to you, Notion's entry doesn't list it. That's a gap in the verified facts, not a verdict on the app.
Obsidian: declared platforms and free plan
Obsidian's maker declares iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, plus a free plan. As with Notion, the declaration doesn't establish what the free plan covers. Check the source for your device's requirements.
Linux is the one platform where the two entries differ. If you work across a desktop and a phone, confirm both before you install.
What a free plan, a trial and a subscription actually mean
These are three different things, and mixing them up costs money. Check the official price list for the limits of the plan you want. Then confirm whether payment is monthly, yearly or one-time.
A price that isn't listed stays unverified; it doesn't become zero. Listed prices apply to the selected market only, so the same app may not cost the same everywhere.
What to check before you install
Before moving important data, read the official documentation on export, sync and offline access. If those features aren't in the verified facts, this guide doesn't credit either app with them. Also check the interface language and your country's store terms.
The right pick depends on your task and your devices, not on the lowest price alone. Download from the official site or your platform's store, and confirm the plan details there before you pay.
Products and variants
Notion
- App desktop e mobile
Obsidian
- App desktop e mobile
Verified facts
- Notion · Platform Macos · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Notion · Platform Windows · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Notion · Platform Ios · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Notion · Platform Android · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Notion · Free Plan · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Platform Ios · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Platform Android · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Platform Windows · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Platform Macos · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Platform Linux · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
- Obsidian · Free Plan · App desktop e mobile
- 1 Source
Explore related coverage
Sources
- notion.comWeb page · desktop · Oct 28, 2026Opens the source in a new tab
- notion.comWeb page · mobile · Oct 28, 2026Opens the source in a new tab
- notion.comWeb page · pricing · Oct 28, 2026Opens the source in a new tab
- obsidian.mdWeb page · download · Oct 28, 2026Opens the source in a new tab
- obsidian.mdWeb page · pricing · Oct 28, 2026Opens the source in a new tab
Ask Sir Compare:Which difference actually matters for me?Explain these numbers to me
Reviews and tests
Notion Labs Notion
Reviews and tests · Notion Labs Notion
Reviews are not available yet.
Obsidian
Reviews and tests · Obsidian
Reviews are not available yet.
What changed
- Page updated

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