CraftvsObsidian
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Craft
- Craft free plan limited to 1,500 blocks(7/10)
- Craft AI credits run out fast(4/10)
- Is Craft Plus worth $10 a month?(5/10)
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)
Craft
- Cluttered UI with confusing navigation(6/10)
- Formatting and editing is cumbersome(6/10)
- New features feel incomplete and buggy(5/10)
- No built-in task management or databases(6/10)
- Craft export loses formatting and images(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)
Craft
- iPad version lacks desktop-class features(5/10)
Obsidian
- Obsidian mobile app slow to open with large vaults(6/10)
Craft
- iCloud External Storage spaces unreliable across devices(5/10)
- Sign in with Apple and email create separate Craft accounts(8/10)
Obsidian
No signals
Craft
- Craft still shows free limits after upgrading(5/10)
- Craft not syncing between devices(8/10)
- Craft offline mode limited on Windows, web and Android(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)
Craft
- Craft Windows and web apps lag behind the Mac app(6/10)
Obsidian
No signals
Craft
No signals
Obsidian
- Steep learning curve intimidates new users(7/10)
Pricing Comparison
Craft
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 GB, 25 MB per file
Limits: No shared space, 25 MB uploads, short version history
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 TB per space, 5 GB per file
Limits: 300,000 blocks per space on Apple apps
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 TB per space, 5 GB per file
Limits: Individual use
Users: Up to 6 people (owner + 5)
Storage: 1 TB per space
Limits: Shared spaces must be created under Settings > Team > Spaces
Users: Up to 10 members
Storage: 1 TB per space
Limits: Larger teams need custom pricing
Users: 1 user
Limits: Must keep student/educator status
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 | Craft | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps Best Mac App 2021 | ||
| Security | ||
| Local-first storage Plain Markdown files you own | ||
| End-to-end encrypted sync Obsidian Sync only (from $4/mo billed annually) | ||
| Local file storage Craft cloud by default; External Storage spaces optional | ||
| iCloud sync option External Storage spaces; not recommended across devices | ||
| Reliability | ||
| Offline-first Full offline editing | ||
| Cross-platform sync Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Vision Pro, Windows, Web, Android | ||
| Offline access Full offline by default | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Visualize note connections | ||
| Canvas/whiteboard Built-in canvas feature | ||
| Usability | ||
| Beautiful documents Focus on visual quality | ||
| Markdown support Core format | ||
| Web version No browser access | ||
| Customization | ||
| Community plugins Thousands available, quality varies | ||
| Custom themes Extensive theme marketplace | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Templates Available | ||
| Kanban boards Not available | ||
| Task management No built-in tasks | ||
| Built-in task management Requires plugins | ||
| AI | ||
| Craft AI 15 credits free, 50/month on Plus | ||
| AI features Requires third-party plugins | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Team collaboration Family and Team plans | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not available | ||
| Publishing | ||
| Publish to web Obsidian Publish ($8/mo annual, $10 monthly) | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education plan Free Pro for students | ||
| Free personal use No feature restrictions | ||
| Unlimited free blocks 1,500 block limit on free | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile apps iOS and Android, basic experience | ||
| Portability | ||
| Export (PDF, Word, Markdown, TextBundle) Word not on Windows; bulk export Mac/iPad only | ||
| Capture | ||
| Web clipper Available | ||
| Organization | ||
| Databases Not available | ||
| Bidirectional linking Limited linking features | ||
| Native database views Bases core plugin (since 1.9, 2025); Dataview still more flexible | ||
| Integrations | ||
| API & MCP 100 requests/min on Free and Plus | ||