Top 10 Obsidian Alternatives for Smarter Knowledge Management in 2025
- Ethan Carter
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
Many people switch from obsidian to other note-taking apps. Obsidian can be hard to use sometimes. Copying rich text into Obsidian can mess up the format. You may need plugins for simple features. This can make note-taking feel tricky. Some people feel confused because obsidian does not help you organize notes. It takes more work to link your notes together. If you want a smarter note-taking app, you can try these top 10 obsidian alternatives for 2025: remio, Notion, Evernote, Lindy, Tana, Logseq, Joplin, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, and AnyType. Each app helps you take notes, connect ideas, and manage your knowledge better.
Key Takeaways
You should try other apps if Obsidian is hard to use. Many other apps are easier and help you organize better.
Check out apps like remio and Tana for smart AI tools. These apps help you keep track of notes and tasks faster.
Find teamwork tools in apps like Notion and OneNote. You can edit and share with others at the same time.
Choose apps like Joplin and AnyType for strong security. They use special encryption to keep your notes safe.
Try free versions of different apps first. Most apps let you use free plans so you can see which one works best.
Why Switch Knowledge Management Apps
Pain Points
When you use obsidian, you might face some problems. Many people think obsidian is too hard to use. The way it looks is plain and not very interesting. If you do not know much about computers, using special features can be tough. You need to add plugins for things that should be simple. This makes taking notes harder.
Obsidian is hard to learn. New users often feel confused at first.
The screen can look messy. It does not look as nice as other apps.
It is hard to keep notes organized. Linking notes by hand can get messy if you have a lot.
Working with others is not easy. Sharing notes is difficult.
Saving notes online does not always work well. You might worry about losing notes or not seeing them on all your devices.
Many people think other note-taking apps, like Evernote, are easier. Obsidian has more tools, but you need to spend time learning how to use them.
Evolving Needs
What you want from a knowledge management tool can change. Now, you want more than just a place to keep notes. You want a system that helps you find things fast and get more done. Many people want note-taking apps that use AI to give smart tips and organize notes for you.
You may want the app to show you the right note when you need it.
Good apps send helpful notes to you based on what you do.
AI makes note-taking better. It can help you search, organize, and even make new notes.
Keeping notes safe is important. When you use cloud apps, you want your notes to stay private.
New AI tools have changed how you use note-taking apps. AI can do tasks for you, help you talk to others, and help you focus on important notes. These things make it easier to manage your knowledge and help you get more done. With a modern tool, you can work better alone or with friends.
Top Obsidian Alternatives
1. remio
Overview
remio is a smart knowledge management app. Use its AI to help you every day. remio helps you collect and organize notes from different places, without any manual click. You can grab web content, Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs. You can ask remio questions about your notes. It gives you answers right away. The AI copilot works in the app and browser. This makes taking notes easier and faster.
Pros
AI search finds anything, including notes/local files/conversations/emails in seconds.
It grabs web content and resources for you automatically.
You can integrate Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs with remio.
AI Copilot helps you write and summarize notes.
You get unlimited free voice transcription for meetings.
It can summarize web pages and YouTube videos with its powerful extension bar.
It works with local files like PDF and Word, no more uploads needed.
Cons
Some features may be hard for new users.
Not for teamwork and collbration.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | Unlimited notes, AI features, integrations |
Pro | $8.25 | Extra advanced features (if available) |
2. Notion
Overview
Notion is a flexible note app for people and teams. You can make notes, databases, and wikis. Teams can work together at the same time. You can organize notes with pages, tables, and boards. Notion lets you comment, mention, and share notes.
Pros
You can work with others and comment together.
It helps you plan projects and keep track of things.
You can use templates and connect with other apps.
Good for people alone or teams.
Cons
There are many features, which can be confusing.
Offline use is not as good as some other apps.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | Unlimited pages, up to 10 guests, basic collaboration |
Plus | $8/user/month | Unlimited blocks, 100 guest collaborators |
Business | $15/user/month | Advanced permissions, private spaces |
Enterprise | Custom | Compliance, security, advanced admin controls |
Notion lets you work with your team in real time. You can leave comments and manage big projects easily.
3. Evernote
Overview
Evernote is a well-known note app. You can save notes as text, pictures, or audio. Evernote can search words in pictures and scanned papers. It has tasks, better search, and a timeline to help you stay organized.
Pros
It can search words in pictures and documents.
You can save notes in many ways.
Tasks connect notes with things to do.
It helps you organize lots of notes.
Cons
The free plan has limits for heavy users.
It can get slow with lots of notes.
Working with others is not as easy as some apps.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | Basic note-taking, limited device sync |
Personal | $14.99/month | More storage, tasks, calendar integration |
Professional | $17.99/month | Advanced search, integrations, more devices |
4. Lindy
Overview
Lindy is a note app that uses AI to do tasks for you. You can record and write out meetings. It can summarize Slack chats and write email replies. Lindy connects with Notion, Asana, and Google Docs. It saves you time by doing boring work.
Pros
It records and writes out meetings for you.
It summarizes Slack chats and research papers.
It writes email replies using your notes.
You can make automations without coding.
It works with many productivity tools.
Cons
Setting it up can be hard for some people.
Some features need coding skills.
Some features are not easy to change.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Starter | $15/month | Basic AI automation, integrations |
Pro | $30/month | Advanced automations, more integrations |
Enterprise | Custom | Custom solutions, priority support |
5. Tana
Overview
Tana is a new note app that uses nodes. You can organize ideas as nodes and link them together. Tana has AI that summarizes voice memos and guesses tasks. You get Daily Page, Supertags, and a knowledge graph for smart notes.
Pros
Node system helps you organize notes flexibly.
AI helps summarize and guess tasks.
Daily Page gives you a new start each day.
Supertags and search help you organize better.
Meeting Agent writes meeting notes for you.
It works with Google Calendar.
Knowledge graph helps you find notes.
Cons
New users may need time to learn nodes.
Some features may be hard for simple note needs.
Pricing
Product Name | Billed | Free Trial | |
Tana | 8 | per month |
6. Logseq
Overview
Logseq is an open-source note app that cares about privacy. You can write notes in Markdown and organize them with a graph. The graph shows how your notes connect. Logseq lets you write first and organize later.
Pros
Open-source notes with strong privacy.
Graph view shows how notes connect.
Supports Markdown and imports from Evernote.
Gets updates from the user community.
Works offline and syncs with cloud services.
Cons
The interface looks basic compared to other apps.
Some features need manual setup.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | All core features, open-source, graph view |
Sync Add-on | $5/month | Encrypted sync across devices |
7. Joplin
Overview
Joplin is an open-source note app that keeps notes safe. You can write notes in Markdown and organize them in notebooks. Joplin uses end-to-end encryption and works offline. You can import notes from Evernote and use plugins for more features.
Pros
Notes are safe with end-to-end encryption.
Open-source notes give you control.
Works offline and syncs with Dropbox and more.
Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Easy to import notes from Evernote.
Cons
The interface is less modern than other apps.
Collaboration is limited.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | All core features, open-source, E2EE |
Joplin Cloud | $5.99/month | Sync, sharing, and collaboration |
8. Microsoft OneNote
Overview
Microsoft OneNote is a popular note app that works with Microsoft 365. You can organize notes in notebooks, sections, and pages. OneNote lets you work with others, draw, and clip web pages. You can add emails from Outlook and share notebooks.
Pros
Works well with Microsoft 365 tools.
Lets you work with others and share notes.
Organize notes with notebooks, sections, and pages.
Drawing tools and web clipper help you save info.
Free for most people.
Cons
The interface can look busy for new users.
Some features need a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | All core features, Microsoft 365 integration |
Microsoft 365 | $6.99/month | Extra storage, advanced collaboration |
9. Apple Notes
Overview
Apple Notes is built into Apple devices. In 2025, it adds audio recording and live transcription. You can edit notes while listening to audio. Apple Notes now has journaling, tagging, linked notes, and smart folders.
Pros
Records audio and writes out what is said.
You can edit notes while listening.
Journaling, tagging, and linking help organize notes.
Smart folders and pins make notes easy to find.
Works well with Apple devices.
Cons
No Android app, so syncing is harder.
Collaboration is limited compared to other apps.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | All features, Apple ecosystem integration |
10. AnyType
Overview
AnyType is a note app that keeps your data private. It uses a decentralized design. You can make notes, organize ideas, and see connections with a graph. It uses end-to-end encryption and works offline. AnyType is open source and gives you control over your data.
Pros
Notes are safe with end-to-end encryption.
You can use it offline and store notes locally.
Open-source notes let you see how it works.
Data vault keeps your info safe.
Graph view shows how notes connect.
Decentralized design gives you control.
Cons
Some features are less polished than big apps.
New users may need time to learn.
Pricing
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | All core features, open-source, E2EE |
Features for Note-Taking & Knowledge Management
AI Integration
You want your note app to help you work better. Many obsidian alternatives now use AI to make notes easier. Some apps, like remio, use smart tagging and search. This helps you find any note fast. AI can change your voice into text, so you can save ideas anywhere. You also get reminders from what you write. AI links your notes and shows patterns you might not see. Adaptive templates learn how you take notes and suggest ways to organize them.
Feature | Description |
Smart Tagging & Search | AI sorts notes and helps you find them quickly. |
Voice-to-Text Mastery | You can talk, and the app writes your note for you. |
Contextual Reminders | The app reminds you about important notes at the right time. |
Intelligent Connections | AI links your notes and shows how ideas connect. |
Adaptive Templates | The app learns your style and suggests new note structures. |
Apps like Lindy and Tana have strong AI features. You get more from your notes when AI helps you connect ideas.
Collaboration
Working with others is important for many people. Notion and Microsoft OneNote let you share and edit notes together. You can comment, tag, and give tasks to others. Some apps, like Taskade, work on many devices, so you can work anywhere. Collaboration features help you build a strong note system.
Tool | Collaboration Features |
Notion | Real-time editing, comments, sharing |
OneNote | Shared notebooks, live editing |
Taskade | Real-time editing, cross-platform support |
Supernotes | Linking, tagging, sharing |
You can pick the app with the best teamwork for you.
Linking
Bidirectional linking is important for modern note-taking. Obsidian made this popular, but many other apps have it now. With bidirectional linking, you connect notes both ways. This helps you see how ideas go together. Logseq and AnyType use graph views to show these links. Remio and Tana also let you link notes both ways, so you can build a web of knowledge. You can change how links look and work.
Tip: Use bidirectional linking to connect your notes and find hidden patterns.
Security
Keeping your notes safe is important. Many obsidian alternatives use end-to-end encryption. Joplin, Notesnook, and AnyType protect your notes with strong security. You get privacy controls and two-factor authentication. Some apps keep your notes only on your device. You can choose how to back up and sync your notes.
Application | Security Features | Privacy Measures |
Joplin | End-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication | Data saved on your device |
Notesnook | Encryption, passcode-locking | No data selling, all data encrypted before upload |
Obsidian | Encryption (with paid sync) | Data saved locally, no account needed |
You can choose the note app that matches your security needs and lets you customize your options.
Obsidian Alternatives Comparison
Features Table
You might want to know what makes each app special. The table below shows the main features for note-taking, task management tool, and project management tool. You can look at the table to see which app matches how you like to take notes, do tasks, or manage projects.
App | AI Features | Collaboration | Linking | Security | Task Management Tool | Project Management Tool |
remio | Strong | No | Yes | Strong | Yes | Yes |
Notion | Some | Strong | Yes | Good | Yes | Yes |
Evernote | Some | Basic | Yes | Good | Yes | Limited |
Lindy | Strong | Basic | Yes | Good | Yes | Yes |
Tana | Strong | Basic | Yes | Good | Yes | Yes |
Logseq | Limited | Basic | Yes | Strong | Yes | Limited |
Joplin | Limited | Basic | Yes | Strong | Yes | Limited |
OneNote | Some | Strong | Yes | Good | Yes | Yes |
Apple Notes | Some | Basic | Yes | Good | Yes | Limited |
AnyType | Some | Basic | Yes | Strong | Yes | Yes |
Tip: If you want the best AI for notes, remio, Lindy, and Tana have the most advanced tools.
Pricing Table
You may want to know how much each app costs. The table below shows the main prices. Some apps are free, but others cost money each month. You can pick the app that fits your budget and what you need.
App | Pricing |
remio | Free, Pro ($8.25) |
Notion | Free, $8/user/month Plus |
Evernote | Free, $14.99/month Personal |
Lindy | $15/month Starter |
Tana | $8/month |
Logseq | Free, $5/month Sync Add-on |
Joplin | Free, $5.99/month Cloud |
OneNote | Free, $6.99/month 365 |
Apple Notes | Free |
AnyType | Free |
Many note-taking apps have free versions. Some, like Notion and Evernote, cost more for extra features. You can choose the best value for your note-taking and project management tool needs.
Best For
You might want help picking the right app for you. Here are some quick tips:
Pick remio if you want strong AI for notes and project management tool features.
Choose Notion if you need a flexible project management tool and good teamwork.
Try Evernote if you want classic note-taking with good search.
Use Lindy or Tana if you want AI to help with notes and task management tool needs.
Pick Logseq or Joplin if you care about privacy and open-source notes.
Go with OneNote for Microsoft 365 and project management tool support.
Pick Apple Notes for simple notes on Apple devices.
Try AnyType if you want privacy and a decentralized note-taking app.
You can match your style and project management tool needs with the right app. This helps you stay organized and get more done.
Choosing the Right Note-Taking App
Assess Needs
You need to think about how you use notes every day. Ask yourself what you want from a note-taking app. Do you write quick ideas or keep long research notes? Some people need to organize schoolwork. Others want to manage projects or save web pages. Make a list of your must-have features. You might want voice recording, fast search, or easy sharing. Write down your top needs before you look at obsidian alternatives.
Tip: Try to picture your daily routine. Imagine how a note-taking app could make your work easier.
Match Features
Look at the features each note-taking app offers. Compare your list with what the apps can do. If you need strong AI, pick an app like remio or Tana. If you work with friends, Notion or OneNote might help you more. Some apps let you link notes and see connections. Others focus on privacy and security. Use a table to match your needs with the features. This helps you see which app fits you best.
Future-Proof
Think about the future. You want a note-taking app that grows with you. Check if the app gets updates and new features. See if it works on all your devices. Make sure you can move your notes if you switch apps later. Pick an app that uses new technology, like AI, and supports your workflow. This way, you will not need to change apps often.
You can test a few obsidian alternatives before you decide. Most apps offer free trials or free plans. Try them out and see which one feels right.
You have many choices for note-taking. Each app offers different features. You should try a few note-taking tools to see which one helps you work best. Make a list of your must-have note-taking features. Test the top contenders before you decide. As new updates come out, review your workflow and switch if you find a better fit.
Tip: Stay open to new note-taking apps. Technology changes fast, and you can always improve your system.
FAQ
What is the best Obsidian alternative for AI-powered note-taking?
You should try remio, Lindy, or Tana. These apps use advanced AI to help you organize, search, and summarize your notes. You can save time and find information faster with their smart features.
Can I use these apps for free?
Most apps offer a free plan. You can start with basic features at no cost. Some apps, like remio and Logseq, give you many tools for free. Others may charge for advanced options.
Which app is best for working with a team?
Notion and Microsoft OneNote work well for teams. You can share notes, edit together, and leave comments. These tools help you manage group projects and keep everyone on the same page.
How do I keep my notes private and secure?
You should pick apps like Joplin or AnyType. These apps use end-to-end encryption and store your notes safely. You control your data and can keep your information private.
