[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [Project Management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/project-management/) \> [Note-Taking Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/note-taking-software/) \> [Obsidian](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/) \> Obsidian vs Joplin # Obsidian vs Joplin Last Updated: August 10th, 2026 Our analysts compared [Obsidian](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/) vs [Joplin](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/joplin-notes/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [Note-Taking Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/note-taking-software/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=Note-Taking Software&cta=note-taking-software). [Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [User Ratings](#user-sentiment-section) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) Remove Add to Compare [![Obsidian Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/c0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f/resources/normal/logo.png?1750166872)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) Remove Add to Compare [![Joplin Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/a100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707/resources/normal/logo.png?1750168607)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/joplin-notes/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Obsidian&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fc0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750166872) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Obsidian&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fc0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750166872) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Obsidian&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fc0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750166872&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Obsidian&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fc0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750166872&price=1) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Joplin&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750168607) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Joplin&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750168607) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Joplin&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750168607&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Joplin&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750168607&price=1) ### Products Insights Product Ranking ## #5 among all Note-Taking Software ## #13 among all Note-Taking Software [Find out who the leaders are](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard?post%5Ftype=auto%5Fvs%5Farticle&category%5Fslug=note-taking-software&product%5Fslug=obsidian-notes&category=Note-Taking+Software) Price Starts From $4/User, Monthly [Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Obsidian&category=Note-Taking Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/c0b9b187cfd326a101efae8da2a1936e-983b082382e69b685325654575cabd8f/resources/normal/logo.png?1750166872) $3.15 Monthly, Freemium [Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Joplin&category=Note-Taking Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/a100e66d10d9f367ba4dcc5917657159-353e9b3eada9059e676fd9e2d3fa3707/resources/normal/logo.png?1750168607) Pros What we like about Obsidian and Joplin: * Bidirectional linking and graph view help you build a connected web of notes * Huge plugin ecosystem lets you shape the app around your own workflow * Local-first storage keeps your notes private and fully under your control * Free version is generous enough to cover most personal note-taking needs * Built-in end-to-end encryption protects sensitive notes from unauthorized access * Works with Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, and WebDAV for flexible syncing * Web Clipper saves pages and screenshots straight from your browser into notes * Free to use with most features included, with optional donations to support the project Cons What we dislike about Obsidian and Joplin: * New users often hit a steep learning curve with all the features and settings * Interface feels less polished than alternatives like Notion * No built-in cloud sync, so you set up your own syncing solution * Lacks collaboration features that some competitors include out of the box * Interface can feel clunky and inconsistent across different platforms * Customer support is limited, so you often lean on the community for help * Sync conflicts sometimes pop up and create data discrepancies between devices * Performance can lag when you work with very large note collections ### Our Review **Bottom line:** Obsidian Notes and Joplin Notes both lean into local storage, markdown, and plugin-driven customization, but they fit different users. Pick Obsidian if you want a deeply linked knowledge base with graph view and a huge plugin scene. Pick Joplin if you want built-in encryption, free core software, and flexible sync across cloud services you already use. Obsidian works well for writers, researchers, and tech-savvy users who like tweaking their tools. The bidirectional links, backlinks, and graph view help you connect ideas in ways a traditional notebook can't. Users say it shines once you put in the time to learn it, but newcomers often find the setup overwhelming. Joplin fits you better if privacy and portability matter most. End-to-end encryption, open-source code, and easy import from Evernote make it a safe pick for sensitive notes. The Web Clipper and notebook hierarchy keep research tidy, though the interface isn't as refined as Evernote and can feel inconsistent across devices. On price, Obsidian starts at $4 per user per month for sync and publishing add-ons, while the core app is free. Joplin's core app is free too, with Joplin Cloud sync starting at $3.15 per month. Both give you a strong free baseline before any paid tier kicks in. If you want a connected thinking tool and don't mind a learning curve, Obsidian is the stronger pick. If you want encryption, sync flexibility, and a no-cost core experience, Joplin makes more sense. Either way, expect to spend time setting things up the way you like. ### User Sentiment Summary Obsidian has a user sentiment rating of 97 based on 59 reviews. Joplin has a user sentiment rating of 96 based on 4 reviews. ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 59 reviews ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 4 reviews Synopsis Evaluating all review platforms, our market analysts have compiled the following user sentiment data. 97% of users recommend this product Obsidian has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 97% when considering 59 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. 96% of users recommend this product Joplin has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 96% when considering 4 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **G2.com, Inc** n/a **4.8** (4) **Capterra Inc** **4.8** (43) n/a **Gartner, Inc** **4.9** (16) n/a ### Awards SelectHub awards earned by these products based on a comprehensive analysis by our research analysts. Obsidian stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![User Favorite Award]() Joplin stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![User Favorite Award]() ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support ### Product Basics Company Size i Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Deployment Supported Cloud On-Premise Mobile Cloud On-Premise Mobile Comparison of Top Alternatives [Obsidian Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/alternatives/) [Joplin Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/joplin-notes/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Linked knowledge base** – Bidirectional links, backlinks, and a live graph view show how every note connects, which goes deeper than Joplin's notebook and tag structure. * **Plugin ecosystem** – A large library of community plugins lets you add task management, data views, and formatting tools to match your workflow. * **Local file storage** – Notes live as plain markdown files on your device, so you keep full control without depending on a cloud service. * **Daily notes** – Built-in daily note templates help you log thoughts and tasks day by day without extra setup. * **Cross-platform access** – Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with mobile apps to keep your vault consistent across devices. * **Hierarchical notebooks** – Notes sit inside notebooks and sub-notebooks for a clear folder-style structure, which contrasts with Obsidian's flatter, link-driven approach. * **Plugin support** – A growing plugin library adds calendar integration, task tools, and other extras, though the catalog is smaller than Obsidian's. * **End-to-end encryption** – Built-in encryption secures your notes during sync, which Obsidian doesn't offer natively. * **Web Clipper** – A browser extension saves pages and screenshots straight into your notebooks for quick research capture. * **Flexible sync options** – Connects with Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, and Joplin Cloud, so you pick the storage you already trust. ### Top Alternatives in Note-Taking Software [ Apple Notes ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/apple-notes/) [ Bear ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/bear-app/) [ Craft ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/craft-docs/) [ Evernote ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/evernote/) [ Genio ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/genio/) [ Google Keep ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/google-keep/) [ Joplin ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/joplin-notes/) [ Notability ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/notability/) [ OneNote ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/onenote/) [ Penbook ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/penbook/) ### Head-to-Head Comparison ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Apple Notes Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Apple Notes](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-apple-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Bear Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Bear](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-bear-app/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Evernote Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Evernote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/evernote-vs-obsidian-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Genio Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Genio](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-genio/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Google Keep Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Google Keep](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/google-keep-vs-obsidian-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Joplin Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Joplin](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-joplin-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Notability Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Notability](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/notability-vs-obsidian-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![OneNote Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS OneNote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/onenote-vs-obsidian-notes/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Roam Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Roam](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-roam-research/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Simplenote Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Simplenote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-simplenote/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![UpNote Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS UpNote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-upnote/) ![Obsidian Software Tool]() ![Zoho Notebook Software Tool]() [Obsidian VS Zoho Notebook](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-zoho-notebook/) **About SelectHub (and our data)** We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies. WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more... ![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() ![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. [Close](#) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Project Management", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/category/project-management/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Note-Taking Software", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/c/note-taking-software/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Obsidian", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Obsidian Vs Joplin" } ] } ```