Joplin vs Obsidian

Joplin8.6Visit Obsidian8.4Visit

Higher score Joplin #6 in Note-Taking Apps 8.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Joplin

vs

Obsidian #8 in Note-Taking Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Obsidian

• Joplin fits best

  Open-source, privacy-conscious note takers

• Obsidian fits best

  Networked-note and knowledge-management users

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Side by side

Feature	Joplin 8.6/10 Visit ↗	Obsidian 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.4
Ranking	#6 in Note-Taking Apps	#8 in Note-Taking Apps
Best for	Open-source, privacy-conscious note takers	Networked-note and knowledge-management users
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	€2.40/mo	$4/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Joplin 3/3 · Obsidian 3/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Note sharing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Storage limit	2 GB (best)	1 GB
Integrations	Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, S3, WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, Local filesystem	Notion, Airtable, Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, Apple Notes, Apple Journal, Google Keep, Bear, Craft, Roam Research, Logseq, Tomboy, Gnote
Our review
Pros	Open-source, Markdown-based notes with offline-first local access End-to-end encrypted synchronisation and multiple storage options Broad platform coverage with clipping, publishing and plugins	Local Markdown files with backlinks, graph view, and unlinked mentions Canvas, daily notes, templates, properties, and community plugins Desktop and mobile apps with optional sync and shared vaults
Cons	Collaboration and publishing features depend on Joplin Cloud Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB Advanced storage tiers cost more than the entry plan	Cross-device sync is an optional paid service Sync Standard includes one vault and 1 GB of storage Publishing notes to the web requires a separate Publish plan
Our verdict	Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application for individuals and teams who want Markdown editing, local access and control over synchronisation. It organises content with notebooks and tags, supports full-text search, and… Read the review →	Obsidian is a local-first note-taking and personal knowledge-management app for individuals, researchers, writers, and teams. It stores Markdown notes as local files, then connects them through internal links, backlinks, unlinked mentions,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Joplin — where it wins

  • Open-source, Markdown-based notes with offline-first local access
  • End-to-end encrypted synchronisation and multiple storage options
  • Broad platform coverage with clipping, publishing and plugins

  Where it doesn't

  • Collaboration and publishing features depend on Joplin Cloud
  • Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB
  • Advanced storage tiers cost more than the entry plan

• Obsidian — where it wins

  • Local Markdown files with backlinks, graph view, and unlinked mentions
  • Canvas, daily notes, templates, properties, and community plugins
  • Desktop and mobile apps with optional sync and shared vaults

  Where it doesn't

  • Cross-device sync is an optional paid service
  • Sync Standard includes one vault and 1 GB of storage
  • Publishing notes to the web requires a separate Publish plan

• Joplin8.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A privacy-focused Markdown notebook that works across desktop, mobile and web.

  Visit JoplinFull verdict →
• Obsidian8.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible local-file workspace for connected notes, research, and personal knowledge.

  Visit ObsidianFull verdict →