Obsidian
Docs & Knowledge
Private, local-first knowledge base built on Markdown files.
Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown on your device, with backlinks, a graph view and a huge plugin ecosystem.
Visit Obsidian Compare head to headWhy teams switch
The pain
Notion: Slow on big workspaces, weak offline mode, and per-seat costs that climb fast.
The upgrade
- Local Markdown files
- Backlinks & graph view
- 1,000+ plugins
- Optional sync
Trade-offs
- Smaller ecosystem of integrations and add-ons than Notion.
- Fewer enterprise compliance certifications and admin controls in most cases.
Savings calculator
Team size: 25 seats
Estimated yearly savings
$1,200
$3,000 on Notion vs $1,800 on Obsidian — 40% less. Prices are editable estimates.
How to migrate
From Notion to Obsidian
- Export. In Notion, open Settings → Export all workspace content as Markdown & CSV (include subpages and files).
- Set up Obsidian. Create your workspace and invite one or two people to pilot it first.
- Import. Bring your data in using Obsidian's import tools, starting with what your team uses daily.
- Switch over. Rebuild key databases first, then re-link pages; templates and permissions don't transfer. Then invite the rest of the team and cancel Notion at the end of your billing period.
How it compares
| Tool | Pricing | Self-host | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anytype | Freemium | Privacy-focused users | End-to-end encryption · Works offline · Object-based pages | |
| AppFlowy | Open source | Teams wanting data ownership | Docs & databases · Kanban boards · Self-hostable | |
| Coda | Freemium | Ops teams building internal tools | Docs + tables · Packs integrations · Automations | |
| Craft | Freemium | Writers and solo founders | Native apps · Shareable pages · Daily notes | |
| Obsidian | Freemium | Personal knowledge management | Local Markdown files · Backlinks & graph view · 1,000+ plugins |