Evernote is a cloud-based note-taking service with broad device support and web clipping, while Obsidian is a local-first markdown editor focused on building interconnected knowledge bases. Evernote suits casual users needing accessibility across devices; Obsidian appeals to power users wanting complete data ownership and advanced linking.
Evernote vs Obsidian — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Specialized note-taking and digital clipping platform with industry-leading OCR technology.
Local-first markdown editor with bidirectional linking, plugins, and complete data ownership.
Data Storage Model. File Format. Monthly Cost (Standard Plan). Web Clipper. Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features. Offline Functionality. Mobile App Quality
Choose Evernote if you need seamless multi-device synchronization, a polished mobile experience, and built-in web clipping for quick note capture. Choose Obsidian if you prioritize data ownership, want to build a structured knowledge system with linking, prefer open standards (markdown), and don't mind paying for sync via Obsidian Sync ($8/month) or using free alternatives.
Evernote: $11.99 | Obsidian: $0–$10/month (optional sync subscription)
Evernote: 40 GB/month upload | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 10+ (article, simplified, bookmark, screenshot, full page) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 50+ basic templates | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Up to 5 users per note | Obsidian: Limited to manual sharing; no native multi-user editing
Evernote: Full offline access across all devices | Obsidian: 100% fully functional offline
Evernote: Full article capture with formatting preservation | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: No - premium only | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Basic - manual export only | Obsidian: N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Evernote: No - notebooks and tags only | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 0 - No Zapier support | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 5 (intuitive interface) | Obsidian: N/A
Annual Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Evernote: 5 platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web) | Obsidian: 5 (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
Evernote: 2 notebooks max | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Yes (included in paid plans) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Yes (shared notebooks) | Obsidian: No native support
Evernote: Limited (WYSIWYG primary) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 5 (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 100MB per note | Obsidian: Unlimited (device storage dependent)
Evernote: 60MB per month | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 2,000+ integrations | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: No (limited, requires tools) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: All platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 225+ million registered users (as of 2024) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Full offline mode with complete sync | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Standard encryption (Evernote manages keys) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Basic sharing, no real-time co-editing | Obsidian: Minimal (plugin-dependent)
Evernote: Full-featured with selective sync and formatting preservation | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: No; proprietary codebase | Obsidian: No (free but proprietary)
Evernote: 3 (List, Tag, Saved Search) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: 0.5 weeks (intuitive) | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: Reliable background sync with full offline queue | Obsidian: N/A
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (sync $8-10/mo optional)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Complete (100%)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Basic (via plugins only)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: No (plugin-based only)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1000+ (community plugins)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: ~2.5M (estimated)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via plugins only
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Limited (HTTP API beta)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Bootstrapped (private)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (not designed for teams)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Full (100% offline functionality)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 9 (advanced graph visualization)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 5-15 (markdown basics)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 7 (Obsidian Mobile, good)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Markdown + Attachments (fully portable)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 3+ million active users
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Local Markdown files
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Plain Markdown
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Native Markdown (always portable)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: No (single-player by default)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Obsidian Sync ($4/mo) or iCloud/Dropbox
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Outliner plugin
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes (via links)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes — link graph
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Dataview plugin
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes (community + core)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Spaced Repetition plugin
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1,500+ community plugins
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via plugins (Copilot, Smart Connections)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Obsidian Sync $4/mo
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: N/A (no team plan)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (with optional $50 Sync)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 50+ official + 100+ community
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Standard markdown (high portability)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 70% feature parity (plugins limited on mobile)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (Sync $8/month optional)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0-96/year (depending on add-ons)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1,000+ plugins
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Standard Markdown (.md files)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 5M+ downloads on mobile alone
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Built-in graph with plugin enhancements
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0/month (free tier)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0/year (or $120 with Obsidian Sync)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Local device or user-chosen cloud storage
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: iOS and Android available (limited features on free tier)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Unlimited (fully free tier)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (free core) or $120/year (with Sync)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: ~1.5 million (2024 estimate)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 6 (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Complete local ownership; markdown files on your device
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (free) or $49 one-time
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $49 one-time lifetime
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1-2 (shared vault via third-party)
Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Partial (Dataview plugin, limited querying)
How to choose between Evernote and Obsidian
Evernote vs Obsidian — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Evernote vs Obsidian. Contains 119 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Evernote vs Obsidian.
Can I export my notes from Evernote to Obsidian?
Yes. Evernote exports notes as .enex files, which can be converted to markdown using tools like Yarle or Evernote Web Clipper exports. Obsidian can then import these markdown files directly into your vault. The process preserves most formatting, though images and complex layouts may require manual adjustment.
Is Obsidian truly free, or do I eventually have to pay?
Obsidian's desktop app and core features are permanently free and open-source. However, if you want to sync notes across devices, you'll need either Obsidian Sync ($8/month) or a third-party solution like Syncthing (free but requires setup). The free tier has no time limits or feature restrictions.
Which is better for web clipping and saving articles?
Evernote wins decisively—its built-in web clipper (browser extension) captures articles with full formatting and metadata in one click. Obsidian requires manual copy-paste, Markdown export tools, or third-party plugins. For frequent researchers and students, Evernote's web clipper is a major advantage.
Can I use Obsidian on my phone without paying for Sync?
On iOS, Obsidian is fully functional but you'll need to use iCloud, Dropbox, or another cloud service to sync files manually. On Android, the official app is limited; most users use Obsidian Sync or third-party tools like Syncthing. Evernote's mobile apps are far more seamless out of the box.
Which app is better for building a personal knowledge base?
Obsidian is purpose-built for this with bidirectional linking, graph visualization, and tag hierarchies that automatically reveal knowledge connections. Evernote is designed for quick capture and organization by notebooks/tags but lacks the relationship-mapping features that make knowledge graphs powerful. Obsidian is the clear winner for long-term knowledge management.
How to Choose Between Evernote and Obsidian
Data Storage Model: Evernote has Cloud-based (Evernote servers), while Obsidian has Local-first (your device).
File Format: Evernote has Proprietary .enex format, while Obsidian has Plain markdown (.md files).
Monthly Cost (Standard Plan): Evernote has $11.99/month, while Obsidian has $0 (free tier available).
Web Clipper: Evernote has Built-in, full-featured, while Obsidian has Third-party plugins required.
Consider: Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features
Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features: Evernote has Basic related notes, while Obsidian has Advanced bidirectional linking.
Offline Functionality: Evernote has Limited (premium feature), while Obsidian has Full offline support.
Mobile App Quality: Evernote has Full-featured iOS/Android, while Obsidian has Limited (iOS Obsidian exists; Android via Sync).