- Pick it if you are:
- Apple-only users; Quick capture and lists
- Top complaint:
- Apple Notes not syncing between iPhone and Mac
- Price:
- Free plan
- Pick it if you are:
- Writers, researchers, and PKM enthusiasts; Privacy-conscious users
- Top complaint:
- Steep learning curve intimidates new users
- Price:
- Free plan, paid from $4/mo
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes not syncing between iPhone and Mac(8/10)
- Apple Notes disappeared or missing after update(9/10)
- Apple Notes shared note not updating or collaboration unavailable(7/10)
- Apple Notes not syncing when iCloud storage is full(7/10)
- Apple Notes crashing after iOS or macOS update(6/10)
Obsidian
- Free sync alternatives have corruption issues(7/10)
- Obsidian Sync restores deleted files and creates conflict copies(8/10)
- Obsidian stuck on 'Loading cache' or slow to start on desktop(6/10)
Apple Notes
- Forgot Apple Notes password for locked notes(8/10)
- Locked notes do not sync edits with collaborators(4/10)
Obsidian
No signals
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes slow, lagging or freezing with large notes(6/10)
Obsidian
No signals
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes has no Android or Windows app(7/10)
- Gmail or Google notes not syncing in Apple Notes(5/10)
Obsidian
No signals
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes export and import limits(6/10)
- Apple Notes lacks features of dedicated note apps(5/10)
Obsidian
- Plugin overload and management headaches(7/10)
- No real-time collaboration features(7/10)
- No web version - desktop app required(5/10)
- No native task management; databases only arrived with Bases(6/10)
- Plain interface lacks visual appeal(4/10)
- Search and index miss new notes in large vaults(5/10)
Apple Notes
No signals
Obsidian
- Steep learning curve intimidates new users(7/10)
Apple Notes
No signals
Obsidian
- Obsidian Sync costs $48-60/year just to use notes on your phone(6/10)
- Sync Standard's 1 GB and 5 MB file cap push users to Sync Plus(5/10)
Apple Notes
No signals
Obsidian
- Obsidian mobile app slow to open with large vaults(6/10)
Pricing Comparison
Apple Notes
Users: One Apple Account
Storage: Counts against iCloud storage (5 GB free)
Limits: Apple devices only (iCloud.com on the web), no Android or Windows app, no in-app Markdown writing, limited linking
Obsidian
Users: Unlimited
Storage: Unlimited (local)
Limits: No built-in sync, no web version, you manage your own backups
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 GB total, 5 MB per file
Limits: 5 MB file cap and 1 GB total are tight for PDFs, audio and images
Users: 1 user
Storage: 10 GB (upgradable to 100 GB), 200 MB per file
Limits: Per-user pricing; no real-time co-editing
Users: 1 site
Limits: One-way publishing, not collaborative editing
Users: 1 user
Limits: Supporter license; unlocks no extra features in stable builds
Users: Per user
Limits: Optional - not required for work use
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Apple Notes | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Locked notes A forgotten separate password cannot be recovered | ||
| Local-first storage Plain Markdown files you own | ||
| End-to-end encrypted sync Obsidian Sync only (from $4/mo billed annually) | ||
| Sharing | ||
| Shared editing iCloud notes only | ||
| Organization | ||
| Bidirectional linking Core feature | ||
| Native database views Bases core plugin (since 1.9, 2025); Dataview still more flexible | ||
| Data | ||
| Markdown export Needs iOS 26 or macOS Tahoe | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Visualize note connections | ||
| Canvas/whiteboard Built-in canvas feature | ||
| Core | ||
| Document scanning | ||
| Customization | ||
| Community plugins Thousands available, quality varies | ||
| Custom themes Extensive theme marketplace | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Android app | ||
| Windows app iCloud.com web only | ||
| Power | ||
| Backlinks and plugins | ||
| Publishing | ||
| Publish to web Obsidian Publish ($8/mo annual, $10 monthly) | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile apps iOS and Android, basic experience | ||
| Reliability | ||
| Offline access Full offline by default | ||
| Usability | ||
| Markdown support Core format | ||
| Web version No browser access | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Templates Core and Templater plugin | ||
| Built-in task management Requires plugins | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Free personal use No feature restrictions | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not available | ||
| AI | ||
| AI features Requires third-party plugins | ||
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