If you’re searching for the ideal note-taking app or personal knowledge management (PKM) system in 2025, two names will inevitably pop up: Notion and Obsidian. These tools dominate the productivity space—and with good reason. Each offers powerful features, but they cater to very different needs.
In this post, we’ll compare their key features, pricing, organisational styles, and collaboration tools to help you decide which one best fits your workflow—whether you’re managing team projects or building a solo digital brain.
But what if you didn’t need a separate note-taking app at all? If your work revolves around the web—researching, reading, saving sources—there’s a new contender worth knowing: Horse Browser. It’s a reimagined browser that combines your web research, notes, and knowledge graphs in one streamlined space, built right into your browsing experience.
Before we explore how Horse Browser might change the way you think online, let’s dive into the strengths and trade-offs of Notion and Obsidian.
Notion vs Obsidian: Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | Notion | Obsidian |
Collaboration | Real-time editing, @mentions, team dashboards | Solo-first, view-only publishing, no native live editing |
Data Ownership | Cloud-based, company servers | Local Markdown files, full ownership, AES-256 encryption with Obsidian Sync |
Extensibility | Limited plugins, built-in blocks | Vast plugin ecosystem, full customization |
Organizational Style | Structured blocks, databases, subpages | Free-form links, backlinks, visual graph |
User Experience | Sleek, polished, mobile-friendly | Minimalist, fast, highly customizable |
AI | Extensive AI features, including access to knowledge through ChatGPT and Claude | No built-in AI features, AI functionality via community plugins |
Pricing | Free with paid team features | Free for personal use, optional paid sync/publish |
Collaboration Capabilities: Notion Leads for Teams
If you’re working on shared projects or in a remote team, Notion’s collaboration features shine. Obsidian, while powerful for individuals, doesn’t offer real-time collaboration. It’s designed around a local, personal knowledge base. While you can share notes using Obsidian Publish or use Git for version control, these require technical setup and don’t allow simultaneous editing.
Notion: Designed for Seamless Team Collaboration
Real-Time Editing: Multiple users can simultaneously edit documents, with changes reflected instantly.
Commenting and @Mentions: Users can leave comments and mentions for teammates to facilitate discussions.
Task Management: Integrated databases and Kanban boards help with task management and shared planning.
Versatile Views: Utilise tables, boards, calendars, and timelines to manage projects effectively.
Shared workspaces: Great for status updates, internal documentation, and onboarding processes.
Obsidian: Primarily for Personal Knowledge Management
Limited Native Collaboration: Obsidian is primarily designed for individual use, with collaboration features being minimal.
Obsidian Publish: Allows users to share notes publicly, but lacks real-time collaborative editing.
Third-Party Solutions: Collaboration can be facilitated through external tools or plugins, but these require additional setup and may not offer the seamless experience found in Notion.
Summary: For teams requiring robust collaboration tools, Notion is the superior choice. For now, Obsidian remains the go-to for solo researchers, writers, and thinkers.
Data Security and Ownership: Obsidian by a Mile
Data security and ownership are critical considerations when selecting a note-taking application.
Notion: Cloud-Based Convenience with Limitations
Cloud Storage: Notion stores all data on its servers, providing easy access across devices but relying on internet connectivity.
Limited Offline Access: While Notion offers some offline capabilities, full functionality requires an internet connection.
Data Control: Users have limited control over data storage and backup, which may raise concerns for those handling sensitive information.
Obsidian: Local-First Approach for Enhanced Privacy
Local Storage: Obsidian saves notes directly on your device, granting full control over your data. You can use your own backups, versioning systems (like Git), or even store your notes on an encrypted external drive.
Offline Access: All features are accessible without an internet connection, ensuring uninterrupted productivity.
Customisable Sync Options: Users can choose to sync data using services like Obsidian Sync (with end-to-end AES-256 encryption) or third-party solutions like iCloud or Dropbox.
Data Portability: Storing notes as Markdown files ensures long-term accessibility and ease of migration to other platforms.
Summary: If data privacy and ownership are paramount, Obsidian’s local-first design offers greater control and security. Notion provides convenience and collaborative features but may not meet the needs of users with stringent data privacy requirements.
Extensibility and Plugins: Obsidian is a Powerhouse
Obsidian has become a favorite for developers and tinkerers due to its thriving plugin ecosystem. Notion is less extensible but compensates with strong native features: templates, databases, and embedded media are easy to use. There are third-party integrations through Notion’s API, but you’re largely working within the constraints of its visual design language.
Notion: Integrated Features with Limited Extensibility
All-in-One Platform: Notion provides a comprehensive suite of built-in tools, including databases, calendars, Kanban boards, and AI-powered writing assistance.
Limited Customisation: While Notion offers integrations through its API, the scope for customisation is relatively constrained compared to Obsidian.
Ease of Use: The integrated nature of Notion’s features ensures a seamless user experience without the need for additional setup.
Obsidian: Extensive Customisation through Plugins
Community-Driven Extensions: Obsidian boasts a vast library of over 1,000 community plugins, enabling users to tailor the application to their specific workflows.
Core and Community Plugins: From core plugins like backlinks and graph view to community plugins for task management, spaced repetition, and more, Obsidian offers unparalleled flexibility.
Developer-Friendly: With an open API, developers can create custom plugins, enhancing Obsidian’s capabilities beyond its default offerings.
Summary: If you want flexibility and modular design, Obsidian wins hands-down. Choose Notion if you prefer a ready-to-use platform with integrated features.
Organisational Structure: Structured vs Organic Thinking
Notion and Obsidian offer distinct approaches to organising information, catering to different user preferences and workflows. This comes down to how you like to think: Structured Blocks vs. Linked Notes.
Notion: Structured and Visual Organisation
Block-Based System: Notion organises content into blocks, allowing users to create pages composed of various elements like text, images, databases, and more.
Nested Pages: Users can create subpages within pages, enabling a hierarchical structure.
Multiple Views: Notion provides various views such as list, table, board, calendar, and gallery, facilitating diverse ways to visualize and manage information.
Ideal for Teams: The structured nature of Notion makes it suitable for collaborative environments, project management, and content calendars.
Obsidian: Flexible and Interconnected Notes
Markdown Files: Obsidian stores notes as individual Markdown files, offering simplicity and portability.
Vaults and Folders: Users can organize notes into vaults and folders, providing a familiar file system structure.
Bidirectional Linking: Obsidian excels in creating a network of interconnected notes through internal links and backlinks, fostering a web-like structure of information.
Graph View: This feature visualises the relationships between notes, aiding in the discovery of connections and enhancing knowledge management.
Summary: Choose Notion if you prefer a structured, visual approach to organising information, especially for collaborative projects. Opt for Obsidian if you value a flexible, interconnected system that supports deep linking and personal knowledge management.
User Experience: Intuitive Design vs. Customisable Interface
Notion: Streamlined and User-Friendly
Notion delivers a polished, modern interface right out of the box. It’s attractive, easy to navigate, and beginner-friendly. Mobile apps are intuitive, and its drag-and-drop system makes note building feel tactile.
Visual Interface: Notion offers a clean, modern interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
Integrated Features: With built-in databases, calendars, and templates, users can quickly set up and manage projects without additional configurations.
Real-Time Collaboration: Notion’s design facilitates seamless collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit and comment on documents simultaneously.
Learning Curve: While feature-rich, Notion’s intuitive design ensures that new users can acclimate quickly, especially with the help of its extensive template library.
Obsidian: Tailored for Personalisation and Depth
Obsidian has a steeper learning curve but rewards users with infinite customization. You can fine-tune the layout, enable distraction-free modes, and even build your own productivity dashboards using plugins.
Markdown-Centric: Obsidian’s reliance on Markdown offers a distraction-free writing environment, appealing to users who prefer plain text editing.
Customization: With a vast array of community plugins and themes, users can tailor Obsidian to fit their specific workflows and aesthetic preferences.
Graph View: The visual representation of note interconnections aids in understanding relationships between concepts, enhancing the note-taking experience.
Initial Setup: New users might face a steeper learning curve, especially when configuring plugins or understanding Markdown syntax, but the payoff is a highly personalized workspace.
Summary: Choose Notion if you prioritize a ready-to-use, collaborative environment with a gentle learning curve. Opt for Obsidian if you value deep customization and a focus on interconnected, personal knowledge management. TLDR: Think of Notion as a productivity suite and Obsidian as a blank canvas for builders.
AI Capabilities: Only Notion Offers In-built Features
Artificial intelligence is becoming a core part of modern productivity tools, and both Notion and Obsidian have begun to incorporate AI in distinct ways.
Notion: In-Built AI Features
Notion AI is built directly into the platform, offering access to knowledge through ChatGPT and Claude. The app offers a growing list of features:
Summarising notes and documents
Generating content (emails, blog posts, meeting agendas, etc.)
Translating text
Fixing grammar and rewriting content
Searching for answers based on your workspace, Slack, Google Drive and more
It's well-integrated, user-friendly, and available on all platforms for paid AI users. Notion AI feels like a smart assistant embedded in your knowledge base, speeding up admin tasks, writing, and brainstorming.
Obsidian: Plugin-based AI with Greater Flexibility
Obsidian doesn't have a built-in AI (yet), but users can add AI functionality via community plugins. One notable example is the "Text Generator" plugin, which integrates with OpenAI’s API (or other models) to:
- Generate and rewrite content
- Summarise long notes
- Create templates or brainstorm ideas
Because Obsidian is plugin-based, the flexibility is higher—you can connect to any LLM you want, use local, private AI models, or customise how AI operates inside your vault. However, it requires a bit more technical know-how to set up and configure.
Summary: If you want AI that’s ready to go with minimal setup and strong integration, Notion AI is the clear choice. If you prefer full control, Obsidian’s plugin-based approach offers unmatched flexibility.
Pricing Plans: Notion vs. Obsidian (2025)
Both Notion and Obsidian offer a range of free features and subscription deals. All pricing correct at time of publication.
Notion: Structured Plans for Individuals and Teams
Notion offers a tiered pricing model designed to cater to various user needs, from individuals to large enterprises:
Free Plan: Ideal for personal use, offering unlimited pages and blocks, with a 5MB file upload limit and the ability to invite up to 10 guests.
Plus Plan: Priced at $10 per user/month when billed annually ($12 monthly), this plan includes unlimited file uploads, 30-day version history, and the ability to invite up to 100 guests.
Business Plan: At $15 per user/month billed annually ($18 monthly), it adds advanced permissions, 90-day version history, and the capacity to invite up to 250 guests.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored for large organizations, offering advanced security features, compliance tools, and dedicated support.
Additionally, Notion AI is available as an add-on for $10 per user/month, providing AI-powered assistance across your workspace.
Obsidian: Flexible and User-Supported Pricing
Obsidian adopts a freemium model, emphasizing user control and optional paid services:
Free Version: Fully functional for personal and commercial use, with no sign-up required.
Catalyst License: A one-time payment starting at $25, offering early access to insider builds and special community badges.
Commercial License: Previously required for business use, but as of 2025, Obsidian is free for commercial purposes, with the commercial license now being optional and serving as a way to support development.
Obsidian Sync: An optional add-on for syncing notes across devices, priced at $4 per month billed annually ($5monthly). It offers end-to-end encryption, version history, and collaborative shared vaults.
Obsidian Publish: Allows users to publish notes to the web, costing $8 per site/month billed annually ($10 monthly).
Summary: Both offer generous free tiers, but Obsidian offers more power to personal users without needing a subscription.
Introducing Horse Browser: A New Kind of Knowledge Tool
So what if you didn’t need to choose between Notion or Obsidian? What if your browser was your note-taking tool? Enter Horse Browser — a browser designed for researchers, thinkers, and curious minds who want to capture, connect, and organise ideas as they browse.
What is Horse Browser?
Horse Browser is a privacy-first, research-friendly browser with built-in knowledge management tools. It allows you to:
- Create visual collections of websites called Trails
- Nest Trails infinitely, drilling into subtopics
- Take in-browser notes directly alongside the web content you’re exploring
- See a visual knowledge graph of your saved sites and ideas
- Keep everything stored locally on your device
How Trails Work and Replace Tabs
Horse Browser eliminates the need for traditional tabs by introducing a more organised, intuitive way to browse.
- Instead of a horizontal row of tabs, each browsing session lives within a Trail.
- Trails can branch into nested sub-trails and side-trails, making it easy to group related websites by topic, task or research area.
- You can navigate visually, seeing how your pages and notes relate without losing track of where you are.
- Trails automatically save your open pages, notes, and structure—so your research context is never lost.
- Users can group Trails into separate Areas and Folders creating their own personalised, customisable filing system
- This system is ideal for deep dives, long-term projects, or anything where you’d usually end up with 30+ tabs open.
Benefits of Horse’s Approach
Streamlined Workflow: No more copy-pasting links between your browser and a separate notes app.
Focused Organisation: Trails let you map your research, ideas and projects visually.
Privacy-focused: Your data stays with you. Horse is built on a user-supported model, not data monetisation.
Less Context Switching: Horse keeps all your tasks, research and notes in one place, helping you maintain focus.
Who is it for?
Anyone who does the bulk of their daily work online and struggles with tab overload
- Researchers who follow complex web rabbit holes
- Writers collecting sources and citations
- Students building knowledge bases
- Curious minds who want to make sense of the internet
If you love Obsidian's flexibility or Notion's structure, but find yourself constantly switching between apps, Horse Browser might be the productivity breakthrough you’ve been looking for. Horse Browser carves out its niche by integrating browsing and note-taking into a cohesive, privacy-focused platform.
Final Thoughts: Which Tool Should You Use?
- Use Notion if you're managing teams, building wikis, or need a polished collaboration platform.
- Use Obsidian if you care about privacy, flexibility, and building a deeply personal knowledge base.
- Use Horse Browser if you’re a heavy web user who wants everything—notes, websites, and research structure—in one private, seamless interface.
Sometimes, the best tool isn’t a note-taking app at all. Sometimes, it’s a better browser. Ready to Rethink Your Research Flow? Explore Horse Browser and experience a more connected, distraction-free PKM system.
