Evernote vs Obsidian
type: Article
description: 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.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-06-15T01:40:29.586Z
date created: 2026-06-15T01:40:29.586Z
date modified: 2026-06-15T01:40:29.617Z
content reference time: 2026-06-15T01:40:29.617Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Evernote
about: Obsidian
abstract: 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.
text: Data Storage Model. File Format. Monthly Cost (Standard Plan). Web Clipper. Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features. Offline Functionality. Mobile App Quality
conclusion text: 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.
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $11.99 | Obsidian: $0–$10/month (optional sync subscription)
  value reference: Obsidian
additional property: Free Plan Monthly Note Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 1 note/month | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Maximum Storage (Premium)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 40 GB/month upload | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Web Clipper Capture Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 10+ (article, simplified, bookmark, screenshot, full page) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Available Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 50+ basic templates | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Real-time Collaboration Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Up to 5 users per note | Obsidian: Limited to manual sharing; no native multi-user editing
additional property: Database Relations & Rollups
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Not supported | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Offline Functionality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Full offline access across all devices | Obsidian: 100% fully functional offline
additional property: Monthly Upload Limit (Free)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 10 MB | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Premium Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $14.99 | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Languages Supported by OCR
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 43 languages | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Maximum Devices (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 2 devices | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Web Clipper Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Full article capture with formatting preservation | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Offline Access (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: No - premium only | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Microsoft Office Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Basic - manual export only | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: User Base Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 250+ million | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $11.99/month | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Free Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 50 MB | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Paid Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 100 GB | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Native Database Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: No - notebooks and tags only | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Web Clipper Quality Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 9 | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Third-Party Integrations (Zapier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 0 - No Zapier support | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Setup Time for New Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 5 (intuitive interface) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $119.99/year | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 5 platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web) | Obsidian: 5 (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
additional property: Free Plan Notebook Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 2 notebooks max | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Yes (included in paid plans) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Yes (shared notebooks) | Obsidian: No native support
additional property: Native Markdown Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Limited (WYSIWYG primary) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $180/year | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Number of Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 5 (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Maximum Note Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 100MB per note | Obsidian: Unlimited (device storage dependent)
additional property: Free Tier Monthly Upload Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 60MB per month | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Third-Party Integrations Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 2,000+ integrations | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Native Markdown Editor Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: No (limited, requires tools) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Offline Access Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: All platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Monthly Active Users (Estimated)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 225+ million registered users (as of 2024) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Monthly Upload Limit (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 10 GB | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Maximum Devices (Simultaneous Sync)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Unlimited | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Offline Note Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Full offline mode with complete sync | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: End-to-End Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Standard encryption (Evernote manages keys) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Team Collaboration Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Basic sharing, no real-time co-editing | Obsidian: Minimal (plugin-dependent)
additional property: Web Clipper Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: Full-featured with selective sync and formatting preservation | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Open Source
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: No; proprietary codebase | Obsidian: No (free but proprietary)
additional property: Monthly Premium Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: $11.99 | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: OCR Text Recognition Accuracy
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 95% | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Web Clipper Save Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 2-3 seconds | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Database View Types
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 3 (List, Tag, Saved Search) | Obsidian: N/A
additional property: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Evernote: 0.5 weeks (intuitive) | Obsidian: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/evernote
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/evernote
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/obsidian
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/obsidian
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/evernote-vs-obsidian
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/evernote-vs-obsidian
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/notion-vs-obsidian)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/notion-vs-obsidian
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/logseq-vs-obsidian
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/notion-vs-obsidian-vs-logseq
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/evernote-vs-notion
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/bear-vs-obsidian
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/evernote-vs-onenote
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/roam-research-vs-obsidian
teaches: How to choose between Evernote and Obsidian
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Evernote vs Obsidian — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Evernote
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Specialized note-taking and digital clipping platform with industry-leading OCR technology.
subject of: Evernote vs Obsidian

Obsidian
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Local-first markdown editor with bidirectional linking, plugins, and complete data ownership.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Obsidian
subject of: Evernote vs Obsidian
image: ImageObject
  caption: Obsidian

Evernote vs Obsidian — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Evernote vs Obsidian. Contains 119 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Plan Monthly Note Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Maximum Storage (Premium)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Web Clipper Capture Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Available Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Real-time Collaboration Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Database Relations & Rollups
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Offline Functionality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Upload Limit (Free)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Premium Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Languages Supported by OCR
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Devices (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Web Clipper Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Offline Access (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Microsoft Office Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: User Base Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Popularity
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Paid Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Native Database Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Web Clipper Quality Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations (Zapier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integrations
variable measured: Setup Time for New Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capability
variable measured: Free Plan Notebook Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Search & Recognition
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Native Markdown Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Editing
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Number of Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Maximum Note Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capacity
variable measured: Free Tier Monthly Upload Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capacity
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration Ecosystem
variable measured: Native Markdown Editor Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Offline Access Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Active Users (Estimated)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Popularity
variable measured: Monthly Upload Limit (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Maximum Devices (Simultaneous Sync)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Offline Note Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Functionality
variable measured: End-to-End Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Team Collaboration Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Web Clipper Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Open Source
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Development Model
variable measured: Monthly Premium Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: OCR Text Recognition Accuracy
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Web Clipper Save Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Database View Types
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Mobile App Offline Sync
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Mobile
variable measured: Storage Location
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Privacy
variable measured: Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Individual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Offline Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Platform Support
variable measured: Database Relation Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Functionality
variable measured: Learning Curve (Ease Score)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Native AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Integration
variable measured: Plugin Ecosystem Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Community Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Monthly Active Users
variable measured: Sync Service Cost
variable measured: Built-in Task Management
variable measured: Setup Time
variable measured: API Access
variable measured: Funding Raised
variable measured: One-Time / Lifetime Cost
variable measured: Monthly Team Subscription (5 users)
variable measured: Offline Access
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/evernote-vs-obsidian

Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Evernote vs Obsidian.
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Storage
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Popularity
has defined term: Integrations
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Capability
has defined term: Search & Recognition
has defined term: Editing
has defined term: Availability
has defined term: Capacity
has defined term: Integration Ecosystem
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Development Model
has defined term: Mobile
has defined term: Privacy
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Platform Support
has defined term: AI Integration
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Installation
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Business
has defined term: Core Feature
has defined term: Onboarding
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Lock-In Risk
has defined term: Technical
has defined term: Architecture & data
has defined term: Ownership
has defined term: Collaboration & sync
has defined term: Notes & linking
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Data Ownership
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: Data Portability
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Data Control

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Storage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: storage
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Popularity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: popularity
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integrations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integrations
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capability
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Search & Recognition
type: DefinedTerm
term code: search-&-recognition
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Editing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: editing
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Availability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: availability
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capacity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capacity
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration-ecosystem
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Development Model
type: DefinedTerm
term code: development-model
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Privacy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: privacy
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Platform Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: platform-support
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-integration
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Installation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: installation
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Business
type: DefinedTerm
term code: business
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Feature
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-feature
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Onboarding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: onboarding
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Lock-In Risk
type: DefinedTerm
term code: lock-in-risk
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Architecture & data
type: DefinedTerm
term code: architecture-&-data
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ownership
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration & sync
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration-&-sync
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Notes & linking
type: DefinedTerm
term code: notes-&-linking
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-ownership
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Portability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-portability
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-control
in defined term set: Evernote vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-06-15T01:40:29.617Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: evernote-vs-obsidian
main entity: Can I export my notes from Evernote to Obsidian?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is Obsidian truly free, or do I eventually have to pay?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which is better for web clipping and saving articles?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I use Obsidian on my phone without paying for Sync?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which app is better for building a personal knowledge base?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Evernote and Obsidian
type: HowTo
description: 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.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Data Storage Model
step: Consider: File Format
step: Consider: Monthly Cost (Standard Plan)
step: Consider: Web Clipper
step: Consider: Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features
step: Consider: Offline Functionality
step: Consider: Mobile App Quality
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: 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.

Consider: Data Storage Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Data Storage Model: Evernote has Cloud-based (Evernote servers), while Obsidian has Local-first (your device).

Consider: File Format
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: File Format: Evernote has Proprietary .enex format, while Obsidian has Plain markdown (.md files).

Consider: Monthly Cost (Standard Plan)
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Monthly Cost (Standard Plan): Evernote has $11.99/month, while Obsidian has $0 (free tier available).

Consider: Web Clipper
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Web Clipper: Evernote has Built-in, full-featured, while Obsidian has Third-party plugins required.

Consider: Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Backlink/Knowledge Graph Features: Evernote has Basic related notes, while Obsidian has Advanced bidirectional linking.

Consider: Offline Functionality
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Offline Functionality: Evernote has Limited (premium feature), while Obsidian has Full offline support.

Consider: Mobile App Quality
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Mobile App Quality: Evernote has Full-featured iOS/Android, while Obsidian has Limited (iOS Obsidian exists; Android via Sync).

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Evernote vs Obsidian
review body: 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.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Evernote vs Obsidian

Mobile App Offline Sync
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: Reliable background sync with full offline queue | Obsidian: N/A

Storage Location
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Local device

Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (sync $8-10/mo optional)

Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: ~1M+

Monthly Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (free)

Offline Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Complete (100%)

Database Relation Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Basic (via plugins only)

Learning Curve (Ease Score)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 8/10 (gentle)

Native AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: No (plugin-based only)

Plugin Ecosystem Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1000+ (community plugins)

Community Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1000+

Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: ~2.5M (estimated)

Sync Service Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $96

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 100%

Built-in Task Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via plugins only

Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 30-45

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Limited (HTTP API beta)

Funding Raised
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Bootstrapped (private)

One-Time / Lifetime Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $89

Monthly Team Subscription (5 users)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (not designed for teams)

Offline Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Full (100% offline functionality)

Bidirectional Linking Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 9 (advanced graph visualization)

Setup Time (minutes to usable state)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 5-15 (markdown basics)

Mobile App Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 7 (Obsidian Mobile, good)

Data Export / Portability
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Markdown + Attachments (fully portable)

Active User Base (approximate)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 3+ million active users

Architecture
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Local Markdown files

Note format
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Plain Markdown

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Native Markdown (always portable)

Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: No (single-player by default)

Sync
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Obsidian Sync ($4/mo) or iCloud/Dropbox

Mobile App
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes

Outliner / block linking
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Outliner plugin

Bidirectional links
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes (via links)

Graph / network view
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes — link graph

Database / table view
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Dataview plugin

Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Yes (community + core)

Kanban / tasks
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via plugins

Spaced repetition
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via Spaced Repetition plugin

Plugin Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1,500+ community plugins

AI integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Via plugins (Copilot, Smart Connections)

Price (personal)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free

Price (sync)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Obsidian Sync $4/mo

Price (team)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: N/A (no team plan)

Annual Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (with optional $50 Sync)

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 50+ official + 100+ community

Time to First Note (Setup)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 10-15 minutes

Data Format
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Standard markdown (high portability)

Mobile App Feature Completeness
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 70% feature parity (plugins limited on mobile)

Base Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Free (Sync $8/month optional)

Annual Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0-96/year (depending on add-ons)

Community Plugins Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1,000+ plugins

Storage Format
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Standard Markdown (.md files)

Users (Estimated)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 5M+ downloads on mobile alone

Graph View Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Built-in graph with plugin enhancements

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0/month (free tier)

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0/year (or $120 with Obsidian Sync)

Data Storage Location
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Local device or user-chosen cloud storage

Mobile App Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: iOS and Android available (limited features on free tier)

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Unlimited (fully free tier)

Annual Cost (Standard Use)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (free core) or $120/year (with Sync)

Estimated Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: ~1.5 million (2024 estimate)

Platforms Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 6 (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web)

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Complete local ownership; markdown files on your device

Monthly Cost (Personal)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $0 (free) or $49 one-time

Annual Cost (Personal, 5-year)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: $49 one-time lifetime

Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: <500ms

Search Speed (10,000 notes)
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 50-200ms

Maximum Team Members
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: 1-2 (shared vault via third-party)

Database Relations Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Evernote: N/A | Obsidian: Partial (Dataview plugin, limited querying)

SpeakableSpecification
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Evernote — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Obsidian — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Evernote vs Obsidian
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/evernote-vs-obsidian
object: Evernote
object: Obsidian

Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community

Sync Service Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Built-in Task Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Installation

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Funding Raised
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Business

One-Time / Lifetime Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Team Subscription (5 users)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Offline Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Bidirectional Linking Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Core Feature

Setup Time (minutes to usable state)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Onboarding

Mobile App Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Data Export / Portability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Lock-In Risk

Active User Base (approximate)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community

Architecture
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technical

Note format
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Architecture & data

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ownership

Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration & sync

Sync
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration & sync

Mobile App
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Outliner / block linking
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Bidirectional links
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Graph / network view
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Database / table view
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Kanban / tasks
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Spaced repetition
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Notes & linking

Plugin Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

AI integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Price (personal)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Price (sync)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Price (team)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Time to First Note (Setup)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Data Format
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Ownership

Mobile App Feature Completeness
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Mobile

Base Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Community Plugins Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Storage Format
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Portability

Users (Estimated)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Graph View Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Data Storage Location
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Ownership

Mobile App Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform Support

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Onboarding

Annual Cost (Standard Use)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Estimated Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Platforms Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Compatibility

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Control

Monthly Cost (Personal)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Personal, 5-year)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Search Speed (10,000 notes)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Maximum Team Members
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Database Relations Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features