# Why I’ve switched… // Obsidian vs Notion  ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=0s) - The video compares two note-taking and project management tools, [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] and Notion, with the creator having switched from Obsidian to Notion for managing notes and projects [(00:00:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=24s). - Obsidian was previously favored due to its markdown editing features, local file storage, and community plugins [(00:00:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=16s). - The video aims to provide a fair comparison of the two programs, discussing their pros, cons, and limitations, based on personal experience [(00:00:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=36s). - The video is not sponsored by either company, providing an unbiased opinion [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=42s). - Both Obsidian and Notion are suitable for tracking personal projects and home lab documentation, but the choice of tool may be limited in a professional setting [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=69s). - [[Confluence (software) | Confluence]], a [[Business | business]] collaboration tool from [[Atlassian]], is also mentioned, with the creator using it at work and recommending content formatting macros from Collecty to enhance its functionality [(00:01:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=82s). - Collecty's content formatting macros are free for up to 10 users on Confluence Cloud and offer a 30-day free trial, allowing users to create visually appealing pages and better structure their content [(00:01:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=108s). - Using Collecty's macros can enhance cross-collaboration between teams and make pages look better, with a special offering of a $20 gift voucher for trying the app and sharing a review on the Atlassian Marketplace [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=175s). ## Privacy and file storage [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=193s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] is considered a great program for keeping notes private, as it uses local files stored on the user's hard drive and markdown files, making it ideal for writing text or documenting software projects [(00:03:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=225s). - Markdown is a standardized language for plain text files that allows users to create formatted text using simple shortcuts for headings, text styles, and list elements, which are automatically rendered by Obsidian [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=242s). - Obsidian's use of markdown files makes it easy to switch between the source format and the rendered view, and it also allows users to add code blocks with syntax highlighting directly in their notes [(00:04:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=255s). - Obsidian's files can be easily moved or imported anywhere else, making it a great choice for technical people who care about having control over their data [(00:04:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=284s). - Notion, on the other hand, has a similar editor that allows users to add style formattings, code blocks, and other elements, but it also supports formats not available in markdown, such as text background or text colors [(00:05:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=310s). - Notion works with the same shortcuts used in the markdown standard, making it easy for users familiar with markdown to use, and it also allows users to export existing notes to markdown, [[PDF]], or [[HTML]] [(00:05:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=322s). - The biggest difference between [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] and Notion is that Notion does not work with local text files, instead using its own format and storing everything in the cloud, requiring users to sign up for an account and be online to access their files [(00:05:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=337s). - If users are looking for a personal and private-focused app for note-taking, Obsidian is the clear winner due to its use of local files and markdown format [(00:05:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=358s). ## Which tool has the better features? [(00:06:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=365s) - Obsidian and Notion have similarities in editing files and note-taking, but they were created with different goals and for different types of audiences [(00:06:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=365s). - Obsidian is a flexible writing app that adapts to the way users think, embracing the concept of organizing thoughts and ideas into smaller chunks and connecting them with backlinks [(00:06:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=397s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] features a graph that displays documents as dots and shows how they are related to each other, allowing users to keep their ideas and thoughts organized [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=407s). - Obsidian has a huge collection of third-party Community plugins that bring new features to the app, such as chat GPT integration, quick links, and automation [(00:07:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=447s). - However, customizing Obsidian with plugins can be complicated and time-consuming [(00:07:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=473s). - Notion, on the other hand, is a simple and intuitive collaborative writing, planning, and organizing app that aims to replace other applications like to-do lists, spreadsheets, and writing apps [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=503s). - Notion comes with many practical and exciting features built into the app, such as tables, databases, Kanban boards, calendars, templates, and workflow automation [(00:09:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=543s). - Notion's features are often easy and straightforward to use, without the need for unsupported Community plugins [(00:09:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=571s). - Notion's features include creating reminders, tagging other people, and embedding files from other applications, making it a versatile tool for managing personal projects and keeping notes [(00:09:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=558s). - Notion's Kanban boards can be used to group projects and add more information about them, making it a useful tool for organizing and managing projects [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=590s). - Notion has various types of properties, including tags, status, additional text fields, and tables, which can be used for documenting things and can contain any content like text, tables, and notes, all well-formatted. [(00:10:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=603s) - These properties can be added to elements in a database, such as a video project database, where each project can have a thumbnail, publish date, scripts, and notes, and can be displayed in a table, gallery, or linked from other documents. [(00:10:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=626s) - Notion's integrated calendar is also used to manage content and plan new videos, providing a better overview. [(00:10:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=641s) - Notion has many features that are impossible to cover in a single video, but a deep dive into how it is used to manage a product or project may be provided in the future. [(00:10:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=647s) - In terms of features and integrations, Notion is considered the clear winner, despite Obsidian's potential for community plugins, as Notion's well-integrated features are preferred over relying on unsupported community plugins. [(00:11:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=664s) - Obsidian's community plugins can have varying quality, sometimes have bugs, and require fiddling, making Notion's integrated features more desirable for managing notes and projects. [(00:11:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=671s) ## Pricing and Collaboration [(00:11:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=699s) - Notion has a free tier that offers a collaborative workspace, allowing up to 10 guest invites, 7-day page history, and integrations with [[Slack (software) | Slack]], [[GitHub]], and more, making it a great option for those who need a free plan with many features [(00:11:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=706s). - Notion's paid plans include the Plus tier, which adds features like unlimited file uploads, 30-day page history, and more guest invites, as well as a Business plan and an [[Business | Enterprise]] plan, with transparent pricing and features list for any add-ons [(00:12:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=730s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], on the other hand, has a different pricing model, with a free version only available for personal projects, and a commercial license required for business use, costing $50 per year per user [(00:12:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=767s). - Obsidian's free version does not include cloud storage, collaborative features, or synchronization, and users must buy add-ons like the Obsidian Sync plan for end-to-end encrypted synchronization and version history [(00:13:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=784s). - Obsidian Publish is another add-on that allows users to publish their Vault to the web, but it may not be suitable for teams or businesses that require more flexibility and collaboration features [(00:13:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=815s). - Notion is a better tool for collaboration, allowing users to invite up to 10 users with read access, tag people in documents, set up reminders, and share links, making it a more comprehensive collaboration tool than Obsidian [(00:14:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=891s). ## Conclusion [(00:15:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=919s) - Notion is not perfect, and the lack of local private file storage could be a deal breaker for many people [(00:15:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=928s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] is the better choice for individuals who want more control over their app and files [(00:15:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=941s). - Notion is suitable for those who prioritize productivity and a simple, straightforward app with advanced features, as well as the ability to share projects with others [(00:15:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=947s). - The choice between Obsidian and Notion ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs [(00:15:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=943s). - Some users may prefer a completely different tool, and their opinions and experiences are welcome [(00:16:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=960s). - The community is encouraged to share their thoughts on Notion and Obsidian in the comments [(00:15:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYbkzadwxA&t=955s).