Notes, tasks, passwords, journal, files, calendar, contacts and bookmarks, with mood and medication tracking. Encrypted on your device. Open source, no ads, no trackers. Free forever; Pro is a one-time purchase.
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Which is more popular?
Based on our record, Obsidian
seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned
1530 times
since March 2021.
social mentions
1,530 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 165
Base details
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
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.
Feature-Rich Evolution provides a comprehensive suite of tools including email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and memo features integrated into a single application.
Integrations Seamlessly integrates with GNOME desktop environment and other GNOME apps, providing a cohesive user experience on GNOME-based systems.
Open Source Being open-source software, Evolution allows users to access the source code, enabling customizations, and community-driven enhancements.
Supports Multiple Email Protocols Supports a variety of email protocols such as IMAP, POP, SMTP, and Exchange, which makes it compatible with a wide range of email services.
Security Features Includes enterprise-grade security features like GPG encryption and S/MIME, ensuring secure email communications.
Possible disadvantages
Resource Intensive Evolution can be heavy on system resources, which might affect performance, especially on older or less powerful hardware.
Complex Setup The initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with email protocols and server settings.
GNOME Dependency Evolution is tightly integrated with the GNOME environment, and it might not work as seamlessly or look as visually cohesive on other desktop environments.
Limited Proprietary System Support Support for proprietary email systems like Microsoft Outlook might not be as robust or straightforward compared to commercial solutions.
Learning Curve The abundance of features and options can present a steep learning curve for new users who might find the interface overwhelming.
Analysis
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.
ObsidianEvolution
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.
Overall verdict
Evolution is a good choice for users looking for a free and open-source solution that provides comprehensive email and productivity features. Its long-standing history within the GNOME ecosystem and continuous updates make it a reliable option.
Why this product is good
Evolution is a robust email and calendar application that integrates various functions like email management, calendar scheduling, contact management, and task handling into one seamless interface. It's particularly useful for users who rely on these functions heavily and want them integrated into a single application. Additionally, it supports multiple protocols and can integrate with various email services such as Gmail, Outlook, and Exchange, making it highly versatile.
Recommended for
It is recommended for Linux users who prefer an integrated suite of productivity tools, especially if they use the GNOME desktop environment. It's also a great option for anyone who needs advanced email management and scheduling capabilities without resorting to proprietary software solutions.
One thing to note: Notion bills itself as an Evernote competitor for personal users. It can be—but it's too much for most people, and its offline functionality isn't the best. If you love the idea of Notion, go right...
This app is the kind of thing that, if you’re into it, will have you exploring its various ins, outs, and add-ons for days and weeks on end. Obsidian uses the Markdown format for its notes (which means they can be...
However, it's important to note that Obsidian's whiteboard functionality is not as robust as dedicated collaboration tools. While it lacks real-time basic collaboration features, Obsidian compensates with its vibrant...
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.
Obsidian1530 mentionsEvolution0 mentions
Mine and yours first Obsidian plugin
The first time I downloaded Obsidian was about two years ago and I really liked the concept of storing everything locally in simple markdown files without unnecessary clutter.
- Source: dev.to
/
about 24 hours ago
The agents remember with Engram, but I need to remember too. Obsidian is my second brain: ideas, projects, and resources in one place.
- Source: dev.to
/
8 days ago
Notion vs Obsidian for Solo Work (2026): Cloud Workspace or Local Markdown?
Obsidian, homepage (local plain-text Markdown storage, offline access, links/graph, featured community plugins).
- Source: dev.to
/
8 days ago
Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.
eM Client is a fully-featured email client for Windows and macOS with a clean and easy-to-use interface.
eM Client also offers features for calendars, tasks, contacts, notes, and chat.
Notion
Logseq
Joplin
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Bear
Thunderbird
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eM Client
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