[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 Simplenote # Obsidian vs Simplenote Last Updated: May 25th, 2026 Our analysts compared [Obsidian](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/) vs [Simplenote](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/simplenote/) 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 [![Simplenote Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/0ccdcb33f85df88037bd0701b351d5df-4629c04d5534ebf87e0c5e92b9f67158/resources/normal/logo.png?1750211636)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/simplenote/) [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=Simplenote&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F0ccdcb33f85df88037bd0701b351d5df-4629c04d5534ebf87e0c5e92b9f67158%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750211636) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Simplenote&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F0ccdcb33f85df88037bd0701b351d5df-4629c04d5534ebf87e0c5e92b9f67158%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750211636) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Simplenote&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F0ccdcb33f85df88037bd0701b351d5df-4629c04d5534ebf87e0c5e92b9f67158%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750211636&price=2) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Simplenote&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F0ccdcb33f85df88037bd0701b351d5df-4629c04d5534ebf87e0c5e92b9f67158%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750211636&price=2) ### Products Insights Product Ranking ## #5 among all Note-Taking Software ## #7 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) $19.99 Monthly, Freemium Free Trial is unavailable → Pros What we like about Obsidian and Simplenote: * Bidirectional linking and graph view help you build a connected web of notes * Large plugin ecosystem lets you tailor the app to your specific workflow * Local file storage keeps your notes private and fully under your control * Strong free version covers most personal note-taking needs without upfront cost * Clean, minimalist interface keeps you focused on writing without distractions * Real-time sync works reliably across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web * Built-in note sharing lets you collaborate with others by adding their email * Core app is completely free with unlimited notes and no premium tier Cons What we dislike about Obsidian and Simplenote: * Steep learning curve makes it hard to get productive right away * No built-in cloud sync, so you have to set up your own syncing * Lacks native real-time collaboration that team-based note tools include * Interface feels less polished than competitors that focus on visual design * Only basic Markdown formatting, with no rich text or advanced styling * No image embedding, which limits notes that need visuals or diagrams * Missing notebooks and nested folders, so organizing many notes gets messy * Users flag gaps in encryption and occasional sync hiccups across devices ### Our Review **Bottom line:** Obsidian Notes and Simplenote sit at opposite ends of the note-taking spectrum. Pick Obsidian if you want a deep, customizable knowledge base you fully own. Pick Simplenote if you just want a clean place to jot text and have it sync everywhere. Obsidian fits writers, researchers, and tech-savvy users who like Markdown and want to link ideas together. The graph view, backlinks, and plugin library let you shape the app around how you think. Simplenote fits students, freelancers, and small creative teams who want to open the app, type, and move on. Pricing pulls in different directions. Obsidian starts at $4 per user per month for sync and publishing add-ons, with a free version that handles core note-taking. Simplenote starts at $19.99 per month under a freemium model, and most users stick with the free tier since the core app is free to use. Tech stack fit matters here too. Obsidian stores files locally as plain Markdown, so you can back up, sync with your own tools, or pair it with Git. Simplenote handles sync for you in the background, which is easier but gives you less control over where your data lives. Go with Obsidian if you're ready to invest time in setup and want a private, highly tailored system. Go with Simplenote if speed, simplicity, and easy sharing matter more than power features. The tradeoff is depth versus ease, and your answer depends on how much you want to tinker. ### User Sentiment Summary Obsidian has a user sentiment rating of 97 based on 59 reviews. Simplenote has a user sentiment rating of 85 based on 54 reviews. ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 59 reviews ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) 54 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. 85% of users recommend this product Simplenote has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 54 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **G2.com, Inc** n/a **4.2** (39) **Capterra Inc** **4.8** (43) **4.3** (15) **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]() No awards. ### 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/) [ Simplenote Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/simplenote/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Markdown editing** – Uses standard Markdown with support for YAML front matter, templates, and custom hotkeys for power users. * **Graph and backlinks** – Shows connections between notes in an interactive graph and auto-generates backlinks so you can trace how ideas link together. * **Plugin ecosystem** – Offers a large library of community plugins that add task management, data views, and other workflow extensions. * **Local file storage** – Saves notes as plain Markdown files on your device, giving you full control over backups and outside sync tools. * **Multi-pane workspace** – Lets you open several notes side by side in different panes for comparison and multitasking. * **Markdown editing** – Supports basic Markdown for headers, lists, and links, focused on quick formatting rather than advanced styling. * **Cross-device sync** – Syncs notes in real time across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web with no manual setup. * **Shared notes** – Lets you share a note by adding someone's email so you can edit and brainstorm together. * **Tag-based organization** – Uses a flat tagging system and fast search to find notes, in place of notebooks or nested folders. * **Pinning and dark mode** – Lets you pin important notes to the top of the list and switch to dark mode for low-light work. ### 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 Simplenote" } ] } ```