Notion is a cloud-based all-in-one workspace with databases and collaboration features, while Obsidian is a local-first markdown editor focused on linking and ownership of your data. Notion excels for teams and complex databases; Obsidian prioritizes speed, privacy, and knowledge linking for individual users.
Notion vs Obsidian — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Notion if you need advanced database management, real-time team collaboration, and an all-in-one workspace for projects, CRMs, and documentation. Choose Obsidian if you prioritize privacy, speed, own your data, prefer markdown-based writing, and primarily work solo or asynchronously with a focus on knowledge linking and personal note systems.
All-in-one workspace for notes, databases, wikis, and team collaboration
Local-first markdown editor with bidirectional linking, plugins, and complete data ownership.
Structured comparison data for Notion vs Obsidian with 362 attributes.
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Starting Price per User/Month (Annual Billing)
Base Monthly Cost Per User (Annual Billing)
Notion vs Obsidian — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Notion vs Obsidian.
Can I use Obsidian for team collaboration?
Obsidian is primarily designed for individual use. While you can technically share a vault via Dropbox or iCloud, this creates sync conflicts with multiple simultaneous editors. For true team collaboration, Notion is the clear choice with real-time editing, comments, and permissions. Obsidian supports asynchronous sharing via exported notes but lacks collaborative features.
Which is better for managing a CRM or project database?
Notion is purpose-built for this use case with relational databases, filtering, sorting, templates, and rollup calculations. You can create complex project tracking with status tracking, assigned owners, and deadline views. Obsidian lacks native database functionality; while the Dataview plugin enables basic querying, it cannot handle the relational complexity needed for CRM management.
Is my data safe and private in both tools?
Obsidian is superior for privacy: your files remain entirely on your device (or encrypted on your chosen cloud service). You own and control all data. Notion stores your data on their servers, and while encrypted in transit, it's subject to Notion's privacy policy and potential data requests. For sensitive information or privacy compliance (HIPAA, GDPR), Obsidian is the safer choice.
What's the total cost difference over 3 years?
For a single user over 3 years: Notion costs $360 (at $10/month for Plus plan), while Obsidian is either free or $49 one-time. That's a $311 savings with Obsidian. However, if your team grows, Notion's cost scales with value for collaboration, while Obsidian remains $49 but with limited team features.
Can I switch from one to the other later?
Switching from Notion to Obsidian is moderately difficult: you can export markdown notes from Notion, but databases convert to flat tables, and formatting is partially lost. Switching from Obsidian to Notion is easier—markdown exports to Notion with good formatting preservation. Notion's lock-in is higher due to relational database complexity not easily replicated elsewhere.