Introduction
Note-taking apps have evolved from simple text editors to powerful knowledge management systems. Notion, Obsidian, and Evernote represent three different philosophies: all-in-one workspace, local-first with linking, and traditional cloud notes. This comparison helps you choose the right tool for your needs in 2026.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian | Evernote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes (personal) | Yes (full features) | Yes (limited) |
| Price (Personal) | $10/month | Free / $50/year | $14.99/month |
| Offline Access | Limited | Full (local files) | Full (paid) |
| Data Storage | Cloud only | Local files | Cloud |
| Databases | Excellent | Via plugins | No |
| Linking/Backlinks | Good | Excellent | Basic |
Notion Overview
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, databases, wikis, and project management. Its block-based editor and powerful database features make it popular for teams and power users who want everything in one place.
Notion Strengths
- Powerful databases with views and relations
- Excellent team collaboration
- Beautiful templates and design
- AI features built-in
- Web clipper and integrations
Obsidian Overview
Obsidian is a local-first knowledge base that stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device. Its powerful linking, graph view, and extensive plugin ecosystem make it the choice for personal knowledge management and “second brain” systems.
Obsidian Strengths
- Local files you own forever
- Powerful backlinks and graph view
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- Works offline
- Privacy-focused (no cloud required)
Evernote Overview
Evernote pioneered digital note-taking and remains popular for its reliable capture and organization features. While it’s lost ground to newer competitors, Evernote’s web clipper and search capabilities remain industry-leading.
Evernote Strengths
- Best web clipper
- Excellent search (including handwriting and images)
- Reliable and mature platform
- Good mobile apps
- Solid document scanning
Feature Comparison
- Databases: Notion leads with powerful relational databases; Obsidian achieves similar via Dataview plugin
- Linking: Obsidian has the best backlinks and graph visualization
- Collaboration: Notion is built for teams; Obsidian is personal-focused
- Data Ownership: Obsidian stores local files; Notion and Evernote are cloud-only
Who Should Use What?
- Use Notion if: You need databases, work with teams, or want an all-in-one workspace
- Use Obsidian if: You value data ownership, want powerful linking, or build a personal knowledge base
- Use Evernote if: Web clipping is essential, you need OCR search, or prefer simplicity
FAQ
Which has the best free tier?
Obsidian’s free tier includes all core features. Notion’s free tier is generous for personal use.
Can I export my data?
Obsidian uses standard Markdown files. Notion and Evernote can export to HTML/Markdown with limitations.
Which is best for students?
Notion offers free Plus plans for students. Obsidian is free for personal use.
Do they work offline?
Obsidian works fully offline. Notion has limited offline support. Evernote requires premium for offline mobile.
Can I switch between them?
Yes, all three support import/export. Moving to Obsidian is easiest since it uses plain Markdown.
Final Verdict
Best for Power Users: Notion offers the most features for those willing to learn its system.
Best for Knowledge Workers: Obsidian’s linking and local files make it ideal for building a personal knowledge base.
Best for Simplicity: Evernote remains solid for straightforward note-taking and web clipping.
