Obsidian vs Heptabase

Obsidian8.4Visit Heptabase4.8Visit

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

vs

Heptabase #45 in Note-Taking Apps 4.8/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Heptabase

• Obsidian fits best

  Networked-note and knowledge-management users

• Heptabase fits best

  Visual research and whiteboard-based thinking

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Side by side

Feature	Obsidian 8.4/10 Visit ↗	Heptabase 4.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	4.8
Ranking	#8 in Note-Taking Apps	#45 in Note-Taking Apps
Best for	Networked-note and knowledge-management users	Visual research and whiteboard-based thinking
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$4/user/mo	$107.88/user/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	13 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Obsidian 3/3 · Heptabase 3/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Note sharing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android, chrome_extension
Storage limit	1 GB	Not checked yet
Integrations	Notion, Airtable, Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, Apple Notes, Apple Journal, Google Keep, Bear, Craft, Roam Research, Logseq, Tomboy, Gnote	Readwise, Zotero
Our review
Pros	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	Whiteboards, cards, links, journals, and block editing in one workspace PDF annotation, web clipping, and Zotero and Readwise synchronization Offline desktop access plus shared whiteboards with collaborator permissions
Cons	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	The free plan requires collaboration with a paid user Pro starts at $11.99 per user per month Its visual research focus may not suit general note-taking needs
Our verdict	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 →	Heptabase is a visual knowledge-base and note-taking application for students, researchers, and lifelong learners. It brings together visual whiteboards, cards, block-based notes, bidirectional links, daily journals, PDF annotation, web… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Heptabase — where it wins

  • Whiteboards, cards, links, journals, and block editing in one workspace
  • PDF annotation, web clipping, and Zotero and Readwise synchronization
  • Offline desktop access plus shared whiteboards with collaborator permissions

  Where it doesn't

  • The free plan requires collaboration with a paid user
  • Pro starts at $11.99 per user per month
  • Its visual research focus may not suit general note-taking needs

• Obsidian8.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ObsidianFull verdict →
• Heptabase4.8/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A visual research workspace with whiteboards, linked notes, PDF tools, and AI.

  Visit HeptabaseFull verdict →