Software Alternatives & Startups

Obsidian VS Centered

Compare Obsidian VS Centered 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
Centered

Centered helps you get into a Flow State faster and stay there longer so you can do your best work.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Obsidian seems to be a lot more popular than Centered. While we know about 1527 links to Obsidian, we've tracked only 5 mentions of Centered.

social mentions
1,527 vs 5
Note Taking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 212

Base details

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

Obsidian
Centered
Website obsidian.md centered.app
Pricing
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Obsidian 6 features
Centered 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.
  • Focus Sessions
    Centered offers structured focus sessions that help users maintain concentration on tasks by providing timed work periods followed by breaks.
  • Distraction Blocking
    The app can block distracting websites and applications, allowing users to focus better on their work.
  • Music for Productivity
    Centered provides curated music tracks designed to boost concentration, helping users enter a state of deep focus more easily.
  • Task Management
    Users can organize their tasks and to-do lists within the app, aiding in better task management and prioritization.
  • Community and Accountability
    Centered fosters a community where users can join focus groups or accountability partners, enhancing motivation and commitment.

Possible disadvantages

  • Subscription Cost
    To access all features, users may need to subscribe to a paid plan, which can be a drawback for those looking for free options.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users might experience a learning curve when setting up the app and using all of its features effectively.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Centered may have limitations, restricting the availability of certain productivity tools unless upgraded.
  • Dependence on External Distractions
    While blocking distractions, users might become too reliant on the app to manage distractions rather than cultivating personal discipline.
  • Platform Dependency
    Centered may not be available on all devices or platforms, potentially limiting accessibility for some users.

Analysis

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

Obsidian
Centered

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 Centered yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Obsidian 1 video + Add
Centered 3 videos + Add

OBSIDIAN: Getting Started, Facts & Pricing

Centered Review: Improve Productivity with AI Coaching and Focus Music

More videos

  • - Centered Review: Is THIS the Best Productivity App in 2023?
  • - Centered Review: AI-powered coaching, Pomodoro timers to boost productivity

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
Centered
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

Obsidian 5.0 · 2 reviews
Centered no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Centered 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
Centered 5 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 / 2 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 / 9 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 / about 2 months ago

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  • Obsidian as all-in-one daily note(calendar, reminder, task management, ledger...)
    - weak for bodydoubling method: I still need to use separate app for bodydoubling. i.e. cen****d.app. This bodydoubling app makes me to focus on task by sharing my current task with other users. This also has `always on top with... Source: over 3 years ago
  • What is the best purchase you have made to make life with adhd easier?
    Centered.app application helps me a lot to work and to stay focused. It seems - the best and only task management systems designed for people with ADHD. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Desktop app which reminds you to stay on your task/ stop even work distractions?
    The centered.app does look good and the most close to what I am looking for compared to the hundreds I have googled today, I am giving it a go, thank you! Source: about 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Obsidian and Centered

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