Microsoft OneNote vs Obsidian

Microsoft OneNote9.3Visit Obsidian8.4Visit

Higher score Microsoft OneNote #1 in Note-Taking Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site

vs

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

• Microsoft OneNote fits best

  Microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams

• Obsidian fits best

  Networked-note and knowledge-management users

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft OneNote 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Obsidian 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Note-Taking Apps	#8 in Note-Taking Apps
Best for	Microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams	Networked-note and knowledge-management users
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$99.99/yr	$4/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft OneNote 3/3 · Obsidian 3/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Note sharing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	web, windows, macos, ios, android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Storage limit	5 GB (best)	1 GB
Integrations	OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Graph, Zapier, Salesforce, Trello, Basecamp, Wufoo, Twitter, Feedly	Notion, Airtable, Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, Apple Notes, Apple Journal, Google Keep, Bear, Craft, Roam Research, Logseq, Tomboy, Gnote
Our review
Pros	Supports text, handwriting, drawings, media, OCR, and voice transcription Offline editing, real-time co-authoring, and permission-based notebook sharing Integrates with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Office apps	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	Copilot and desktop features depend on eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions Notebook storage is limited to 2 GB when saved in OneDrive or SharePoint The broad feature set may feel more structured than a lightweight notes app	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	Microsoft OneNote is a digital note-taking application for individuals, students, teachers, and teams. Its notebook, section, and page structure supports typed text, handwriting, drawings, images, links, lists, audio, and video. Notes can… 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

• Microsoft OneNote — where it wins

  • Supports text, handwriting, drawings, media, OCR, and voice transcription
  • Offline editing, real-time co-authoring, and permission-based notebook sharing
  • Integrates with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Office apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Copilot and desktop features depend on eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions
  • Notebook storage is limited to 2 GB when saved in OneDrive or SharePoint
  • The broad feature set may feel more structured than a lightweight notes app

• 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

• Microsoft OneNote9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.

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

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

  Visit ObsidianFull verdict →