Evernote vs Obsidian
Last updated July 6, 2026
Deciding between Evernote and Obsidian? Here's how they stack up on price, fit and migration effort — so you can pick the right note-taking & productivity tool without second-guessing.
Pricing disclaimer: All prices are list prices in USD, shown for general information only as of July 6, 2026, and may have changed since. Plans, tiers and features vary by region and are frequently updated by each vendor. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider's official website before you buy.
| Evernote | Obsidian | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free (Personal $8.25/mo) | Free |
| Free tier | — | Yes |
| Best for | Established users on its plans | Individuals who want fast, private, permanently-owned notes. |
| Migration effort | — | Moderate |
| Rating | — | 4.6 ★ |
Why teams switch from Evernote
- ✕Repeated price increases — Personal is now around $8.25/mo and Professional around $20.83/mo.
- ✕The free plan was slashed to just 2 devices and tight monthly limits, pushing users to pay or leave.
- ✕Since the Bending Spoons acquisition, pricing rose and users report feature and staffing upheaval.
- ✕Long-standing complaints about performance and bloat on large accounts.
Where Obsidian wins
- ✓Free for personal use
- ✓Your notes are local files — no lock-in
- ✓Fast even on huge note libraries
…and where it doesn't
- ✕Not a team/collaboration tool
- ✕Requires some setup
- ✕Sync is a paid add-on
The verdict on Obsidian
For Evernote users whose real frustration is renting their own notes, Obsidian is the antidote: everything is stored as plain Markdown files on your own device, free for personal use, with no vendor able to raise your rent or lock your data. It's astonishingly fast even with tens of thousands of notes, and backlinks plus the graph view make it a favorite for serious note-takers and researchers. The trade-offs: it's not a team collaboration tool, sync across devices is a paid add-on ($4/mo), and you assemble features from community plugins. But for a solo Evernote user who wants ownership and speed, it's a revelation. Import via Evernote-to-Markdown export tools.
Try Obsidian freeWhat real users say: Evernote vs Obsidian
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Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian cheaper than Evernote?
Obsidian starts at Free, including a free tier, compared with Evernote from Free (Personal $8.25/mo). Free for personal use. Sync $4/mo, Publish $8/mo, Commercial license $50/user/yr. Verified Jul 6, 2026.
Is it hard to migrate from Evernote to Obsidian?
Migration difficulty is rated Moderate. Import via Evernote-to-Markdown export tools.
Who should choose Obsidian over Evernote?
Obsidian is best for: Individuals who want fast, private, permanently-owned notes. If that describes your situation, it's a strong Evernote alternative.
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