Obsidian vs Simplenote

Obsidian8.8Visit Simplenote8.7Visit

Higher score Obsidian #6 in Notes Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Obsidian

vs

Simplenote #7 in Notes Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Simplenote

• Obsidian fits best

  Local-first users organizing linked Markdown notes

• Simplenote fits best

  People who want straightforward free notes everywhere

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Side by side

Feature	Obsidian 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Simplenote 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#6 in Notes Apps	#7 in Notes Apps
Best for	Local-first users organizing linked Markdown notes	People who want straightforward free notes everywhere
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$4/user/mo	None
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Obsidian 1/4 · Simplenote 1/4
Offline access	✓	✓
Markdown support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Web clipper	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Shared collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Sync model	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Stores notes in local Markdown vaults and works offline Connects notes with backlinks, graph and canvas views Runs on desktop and mobile, with community plugins and themes	Syncs notes across web, desktop and mobile platforms Native apps support offline editing, Markdown and checklists Includes sharing, note history, publishing and import/export
Cons	Cross-device sync requires a paid plan Publishing notes to the web requires a paid plan Integration breadth is less clear than its local note features	Automattic says development is maintenance-only No integrations are specified Support channels are limited to community and documentation
Our verdict	Obsidian is a note-taking and knowledge-management app built around locally stored Markdown files. It suits people who want an offline-capable personal knowledge base, especially users who organize ideas through links and backlinks. The… Read the review →	Simplenote is a free note-taking app for people who want straightforward notes available across web, desktop and mobile. Its apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, alongside the web app. The core toolkit includes plain-text and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Obsidian — where it wins

  • Stores notes in local Markdown vaults and works offline
  • Connects notes with backlinks, graph and canvas views
  • Runs on desktop and mobile, with community plugins and themes

  Where it doesn't

  • Cross-device sync requires a paid plan
  • Publishing notes to the web requires a paid plan
  • Integration breadth is less clear than its local note features

• Simplenote — where it wins

  • Syncs notes across web, desktop and mobile platforms
  • Native apps support offline editing, Markdown and checklists
  • Includes sharing, note history, publishing and import/export

  Where it doesn't

  • Automattic says development is maintenance-only
  • No integrations are specified
  • Support channels are limited to community and documentation

• Obsidian8.8/10 · Free plan

  A flexible offline notes workspace; syncing and web publishing are optional paid add-ons.

  Visit ObsidianFull verdict →
• Simplenote8.7/10 · Free plan

  A straightforward, free notes app with offline access and Markdown across platforms.

  Visit SimplenoteFull verdict →