Software Alternatives & Startups

Obsidian VS ATnotes

Compare Obsidian VS ATnotes and see what are their differences

Obsidian

A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Rating
5.0 · 2 reviews
ATnotes

ATnotes is a FREEWARE which creates sticky notes on the Windows desktop.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Obsidian seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1527 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1,527 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
99% vs 1%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 55

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Obsidian
AT
ATnotes
Website obsidian.md atnotes.free.fr
Pricing —
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Obsidian 6 features
AT
ATnotes 5 features
  • Local-first
    Obsidian stores your notes locally on your device, giving you full control over your data and enhancing privacy.
  • Markdown Support
    Obsidian uses Markdown, making it easy to format text and compatible with many other text editors and tools.
  • Bidirectional Linking
    You can create bidirectional links between notes, which helps in building a knowledge graph and navigating related information more easily.
  • Customizability
    Obsidian is highly customizable with community plugins, themes, and various settings to fit different workflows.
  • Graph View
    Provides a visual graph view of your notes and their connections, aiding in understanding relationships and discovering insights.
  • Offline Access
    Since the notes are stored locally, you can access and edit them without an internet connection.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Obsidian can be complex and overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features and customizable nature.
  • Sync Limitations
    While local-first is great for privacy, it requires additional steps or third-party solutions for syncing across devices.
  • No True Real-time Collaboration
    Obsidian lacks native real-time collaboration features, making it less suitable for collaborative work compared to cloud-based solutions.
  • Limited Mobile Features
    The mobile version of Obsidian, while functional, is not as robust as the desktop application, potentially hindering productivity on the go.
  • Dependence on Plugins
    Many advanced features require the use of third-party plugins, which could lead to compatibility issues and reliance on community support.
  • Performance on Large Vaults
    Performance might degrade with a very large number of notes or complex graphs, impacting usability.
  • Freeware
    ATnotes is a free software, making it accessible without any cost to the user.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, which ensures it operates smoothly on various hardware configurations.
  • Customizable Notes
    Users can customize the appearance of notes, including colors and fonts, which allows for personalized organization.
  • Reminder Functionality
    ATnotes includes a reminder feature, enabling users to set reminders for individual notes, which enhances its utility as a productivity tool.
  • Simple Interface
    The application features a straightforward user interface, making it easy to use for individuals with varying levels of computer proficiency.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more modern sticky notes applications, ATnotes offers fewer features, which might not meet the needs of all users.
  • No Longer Supported
    The application is no longer actively maintained or supported by its developer, which could pose security risks and limit compatibility with newer operating systems.
  • Outdated Design
    The user interface is considered outdated by current standards, which may not appeal to users looking for a modern design aesthetic.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There might be compatibility issues with the latest versions of Windows, as the software has not been updated in a significant amount of time.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Obsidian
AT
ATnotes

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Obsidian.md is an excellent tool for users looking for a versatile and powerful note-taking application. Its unique features such as backlinking, markdown support, and robust customization options make it a favorite among knowledge management enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • Obsidian.md is considered good by many users because it is a powerful knowledge management and note-taking application that leverages Markdown for document formatting. It allows for bi-directional linking between notes, which helps in creating a network of interconnected ideas, often described as a 'second brain.' Its ability to support plugins, themes, and robust graph visualization also adds to its appeal. Additionally, it stores notes locally, ensuring privacy and data ownership, while being cross-platform compatible across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Recommended for

  • Knowledge workers who need a powerful tool to organize and connect their thoughts.
  • Students who are looking to create a structured and visually interconnected note system.
  • Writers and researchers who benefit from linking related ideas and maintaining detailed notes.
  • Tech-savvy users or developers who appreciate the local storage and open ecosystem for plugins and customization.

No analysis of ATnotes yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Obsidian 1 video + Add
AT
ATnotes 1 video + Add

OBSIDIAN: Getting Started, Facts & Pricing

Software ATnotes (notas auto adesivas)1005-2013 15-27-15

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Obsidian
AT
ATnotes
99% 99%
1% 1%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Obsidian and ATnotes. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Obsidian 5.0 · 2 reviews
AT
ATnotes no reviews yet

View more

We have no reviews of ATnotes yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Obsidian 1527 mentions
AT
ATnotes 0 mentions
  • Take Your AI's Questions Out of the Terminal
    This is a decision page. Claude Code wrote it after reading a project's notes, and it shows the detail a chat question leaves out. I answer it in Obsidian. - Source: dev.to / 9 days ago
  • How can software developers stay motivated at work?
    For note-taking, I recommend Obsidian. It's lightweight, has a large community, and offers plenty of useful plugins. I use the Timekeep plugin myself, which helps me connect tasks with the time spent on them. - Source: dev.to / 16 days ago
  • Hermes Agent Use Cases: 5 Free Things You Can Set Up Today (2026)
    The setup that makes the output noticeably sharper is a memory layer. Connecting a plain-text notes app like Obsidian (free for personal use) gives the agent durable context: what your project is about, who it is for, and what you have... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago

View more

Tracking ATnotes since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Obsidian and ATnotes

When comparing Obsidian and ATnotes, you can also consider the following products.