Which note-taking app wins in 2025?

Discovering a “good” note-taking app can really feel like a unending, elusive quest. Suppose you’re at present researching two of the main challengers in 2025, NotePlan vs. Obsidian. In that case, you’ll wish to know in the event that they’ve obtained all of the options and compatibility you could handle duties, conduct analysis, and extra.

On this weblog, I’ll discover each intimately, evaluate pricing and options, and provides a ultimate verdict on which note-taking app is greatest.

However first, let me rapidly run by what they’re all about:

Obsidian overview: Issues to know

Obsidian is a strong note-taking app designed to “sharpen your considering” by organizing a variety of textual content and creating information bases you possibly can refer again to and construct on. It makes use of markdown — a method of formatting textual content with out code — to make it straightforward to edit and create structured notes.

By default, all of those notes are saved on the system, not within the cloud, which appeals to customers who worth privateness and safety. It additionally means all the things might be accessed rapidly offline.

One other distinctive facet of Obsidian in comparison with different note-taking apps is its large suite of community-built plugins. On the final rely, there have been 2,300+ to combine to enhance workflows and add much more options. I’ve been impressed with the power to show the app into just about something you want: process supervisor, journal, private wiki. It’s very open and versatile.

There isn’t any scarcity of helpful Obsidian options. These embrace:

• Linking notes collectively to construct networks of information when researching.
• A information graph that gives a visible overview of all of the notes you’ve linked collectively to determine patterns.
• The power to brainstorm and arrange concepts in a canvas by embedding pictures, PDFs, movies, and net pages.

NotePlan overview: Issues to know

NotePlan is an all-in-one productiveness instrument with all the things you could handle your schedule. In contrast to different apps that do issues individually, NotePlan permits you to make notes and lists and replace your calendar on the similar time.

There’s no switching between home windows or sophisticated menus to wrestle with. You may flip notes into checklists, to-do lists, or duties with easy tags and filters. You may hyperlink these notes collectively, too, with linking and markdown.

To begin making notes for every day, all you could do is click on on the date within the calendar in the precise pane after which use shortcuts Command + L to create a process or Command + Shift + L for a bulleted listing. You may then add them to your diary by dragging the duty into your Timeline. It even routinely provides markup with the right timestamp. 

There are many different neat NotePlan options. These embrace:

• Native integration and computerized syncing with Calendar and Reminders on iOS and macOS.
• Add hashtags and mentions to duties so as to add them to teams that may be accessed and searched from the sidebar.
• Create templates which you could reuse for day by day notes or initiatives.
• Use your iPad and iPhone to handwrite notes and convert them into textual content with AI.

Obsidian vs. NotePlan head-to-head comparability

Obsidian and NotePlan each have a lot to supply. That a lot is evident. I’m now going to take a look at how these two apps stack up in comparison straight so you may get a greater thought of the variations between Obsidian and NotePlan. I’ll evaluate options, usability, and pricing earlier than presenting a graph with an outline of what’s on provide.

Obsidian vs NotePlan options in contrast

Each are note-taking apps at coronary heart, however they do that core perform otherwise:

• Obsidian usually gives extra visible aids for note-taking and analysis with its Canvas and Graph options. The developer urges prospects to invent their “personal private Wikipedia.” This highlights how Obsidian is constructed for brainstorming and information reasonably than merely organizing and getting issues accomplished.

• The calendar is entrance and heart in NotePlan and actually provides worth to notes by serving to customers arrange day-to-day schedules. In distinction, calendars will not be constructed into Obsidian and require separate plug-ins and plug-ins to arrange. The identical is true for duties and to-do administration.

The one factor they do share is offline entry. Obsidian and NotePlan each work with out the web. The latter additionally gives seamless cloud syncing in order for you it. And each apps are up to date commonly. NotePlan has launched a number of updates in 2025 with bug fixes and new options, so you possibly can rely on common assist.

Obsidian v. NotePlan ease of use

There’s no getting round the truth that Obsidian has a studying curve. While you first load the app, you’ll see issues like vaults and canvasses, and it’s not instantly clear what you could do to start out making notes. In my expertise, it’s troublesome to make use of Obsidian with out first watching a number of tutorials and explainer movies.

In distinction, NotePlan is sensible at first look. Its center pane accommodates your notes, whereas the precise pane has a calendar and file system. The app seems and appears like different notice apps, which makes it simpler to navigate. It additionally has a easy drag-and-drop system that permits you to simply transfer and reorder duties in your calendar and reorganize notes in folders.

Additionally, try how one can use sticky notes on a Mac.

Obsidian pricing vs. NotePlan pricing

Obsidian does provide most of its options free of charge, with the obtrusive omission of syncing notes throughout units. For notice syncing, the subscription is $5 a month, and for publishing, it’s $10 a month. With out subscriptions, you simply get common instrument in your notes.

Quite the opposite, you should utilize NotePlan through a Setapp subscription for $9.99 a month. Setapp is a cool platform with greater than 250 Mac and iOS apps — multi function subscription plan. Why it’s cool? This fashion, you may get entry to extra than simply NotePlan and may use different note-taking apps, comparable to SideNotes, which helps you to write fast notes on the aspect of your display screen, or MarginNote, which focuses on easy-to-create visible notes.

If you wish to attempt different instruments, right here’s the listing of the perfect note-taking apps for Mac in 2025 with AI choices out there.

Obsidian vs .NotePlan execs and cons

So, is Obsidian higher than NotePlan? Let’s first check out what every of those apps does nicely and the place there’s room for enchancment. Each apps have benefits and limitations you need to be conscious of.

Obsidian: Versatile instrument for note-taking

What’s cool:

• I actually like how Obsidian works offline with no proprietary syncing methodology and that notes will not be locked to a particular format.
• It’s free to make use of except you depend on paid options and plug-ins.
• Linking notes collectively is a superb idea that works in apply, too, permitting you to attach concepts and ideas for deeper understanding.

What’s not:

• Sadly, you could subscribe to sync notes throughout units.
• There’s a excessive studying curve that may overwhelm informal customers merely searching for an easy note-taking and scheduling app.
• It may be fairly technical and depends on code to finish duties, making it tougher for on a regular basis customers to wield.

NotePlan: One area for all of your note-taking

What’s cool:

• The interface is quick and intuitive from the beginning, with minimal setup required.
• It’s easy so as to add and arrange all types of duties and occasions with out having to dig across the menus.
• The hotkeys assist can also be nice for rushing up workflows.
• The power to sync throughout units is invaluable for those who’re within the Apple ecosystem.

What’s not:

• The day by day notice system works nicely for productiveness workflows however shouldn’t be as helpful for advanced initiatives or in-depth analysis.
• There aren’t as many neighborhood plug-ins, although it’s nonetheless potential to make use of customized scripts so as to add new performance and options.
• The linking system isn’t fairly as deep because the one Obsidian gives.

Obsidian vs. NotePlan: Which app do you have to select?

So, now we’ve had a full rundown of options and execs and cons, I’ll give my ideas on which is healthier: Obsidian or NotePlan?

Obsidian is a superb piece of open-source software program filled with options and backed by a neighborhood devoted to creating priceless plugins. The app payments itself as a spot for “non-public ideas,” and that is the place it actually excels: jotting down and making sense of massive concepts. I’d advocate selecting Obsidian for those who love writing and making plenty of notes for journaling and analysis or wish to create private wikis.

Nonetheless, it’s exhausting to look previous NotePlan for those who’re a productiveness fanatic and wish to handle your calendar whereas seamlessly taking notes and coordinating duties. I’d advocate NotePlan for all the things related to day by day planning — the merging of notes, duties, and calendar actually shines right here. The moment sync choices with with Apple’s native apps are additionally particularly helpful for Mac and iOS customers.

Obsidian vs. NotePlan: Develop into a note-taking skilled

So there you’ve it. Relying in your wants, you would possibly be capable of squeeze each Obsidian and NotePlan into your workflow. Whereas pitched as note-taking apps, they every have very totally different approaches and distinctive options that may complement one another.

Obsidian is nice for journaling and constructing a versatile and non-linear system for all the things you write. Nonetheless, you will have to subscribe to sync units and publish notes on the web. NotePlan might be your go-to for note-taking and process administration, the place simplicity and pace are the order of the day.

You may obtain NotePlan and begin organizing your day by day duties proper now with a Setapp 7-day free trial. Somewhat than buying a number of apps, you get entry to NotePlan plus 250+ different premium apps for a single month-to-month charge. It’s a extra reasonably priced method to make use of the apps you’re keen on whereas discovering and attempting out new ones!