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Obsidian is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. However, syncing between devices requires either the paid Obsidian Sync service ($11/month) or a third-party solution like iCloud, Dropbox, or Git. Apple Notes is Apple-only (iPhone, iPad, Mac)."},{"question":"Is Obsidian really free, or is there a catch?","answer":"Obsidian core is free forever with no ads. You only pay if you want Obsidian Sync ($11/month for encrypted cloud sync), Obsidian Publish ($10/month to publish notes as websites), or commercial licensing. Local use with manual sync (Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive) stays free."},{"question":"Can I collaborate with others in real-time on Obsidian notes?","answer":"Not natively. Obsidian is designed for individual use. Real-time collaboration requires the paid Obsidian Sync service ($11/month) or workarounds like shared Dropbox folders (with sync delays). Apple Notes has native real-time collaboration on shared notes at no cost."},{"question":"Will Apple Notes work if I switch to Android or Windows?","answer":"No. Apple Notes only works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can view notes via iCloud.com in a web browser, but there is no native Android or Windows app. Obsidian works everywhere."},{"question":"Which is better for research and long-form writing?","answer":"Obsidian is significantly better for research due to bidirectional linking, the ability to link notes together, and visualize connections in a graph. It's built for building knowledge bases. Apple Notes is better for quick capture and simple lists, not interconnected research projects."}],"relatedComparisons":[{"slug":"notion-vs-obsidian","title":"Notion vs Obsidian","category":"software"},{"slug":"apple-notes-vs-bear","title":"Bear vs Apple Notes","category":"technology"},{"slug":"logseq-vs-obsidian","title":"Obsidian vs Logseq","category":"technology"},{"slug":"notion-vs-obsidian-vs-logseq","title":"Notion vs Obsidian vs Logseq: Which Knowledge Management App Is Best in 2026?","category":"technology"},{"slug":"evernote-vs-obsidian","title":"Evernote vs Obsidian","category":"software"},{"slug":"bear-vs-obsidian","title":"Bear vs Obsidian","category":"software"},{"slug":"roam-research-vs-obsidian","title":"Roam Research vs Obsidian","category":"software"},{"slug":"obsidian-vs-confluence","title":"Obsidian vs Confluence","category":"software"},{"slug":"obsidian-vs-roam-research","title":"Obsidian vs Roam Research","category":"software"},{"slug":"notion-vs-obsidian)","title":"Notion vs Obsidian","category":"software"},{"slug":"wordpress-vs-wix","title":"WordPress vs Wix","category":"software"},{"slug":"slack-vs-microsoft-teams","title":"Slack vs Microsoft Teams","category":"software"}],"relatedBlogPosts":[{"slug":"best-streaming-services-in-2026-top-picks-for-every-budget-interest","title":"Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest","excerpt":"Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. 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