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Obsidian

The best note-taking app with local Markdown files that belong to you. Bidirectional links allow you to build a true second brain. It's sustainable, powerful and without vendor lock-in.

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Who's it for?OpsFounderGrowth

Review by a Growth Engineer

My verdict: the best note-taking app, period.

Obsidian offers the sustainability of local files and the power of bidirectional links. Resist the complexity trap. It's the best note-taking app, but not the most accessible.

You might get the impression that it's a huge super complicated trap if you rely on YouTube tutorials, and it takes time to grasp it. But when you remember that it's just note-taking, it's an incredible tool. Your notes belong to you (local files), it's sustainable and powerful.

What I like less: the trap of YouTube tutorials and ultra-complex systems. You can spend weeks configuring instead of simply taking notes. Synchronization requires either paying a lot or tinkering with imperfect solutions. The austere interface puts off many people at first.

My advice: install Obsidian, create a vault, and start writing. Period. Ignore the "second brain" tutorials for at least a month. Just use bidirectional links (that's the killer feature). Add plugins only when you feel the real need, not "just in case".

Why add it to your stack?

It's my main note-taking tool. Local Markdown files guarantee that my notes will outlive me. No vendor lock-in.

What you can do with it

  • 1Build an interconnected knowledge base with bidirectional links
  • 2Have Markdown files that belong to you, no vendor lock-in
  • 3Write without distractions with a minimalist interface
  • 4Capture your daily ideas with daily notes and templates

What it does

  • Local Markdown files
  • Bidirectional links
  • Graph view
  • Extensive plugins
  • Optional sync (or DIY)

How much?

Starting at 0

Free for personal use, Sync at $8/month, Publish at $16/month.

The detailed verdict

Do I really need this?

For serious personal note-taking, it has become my indispensable. For team collaboration however, Notion remains more suitable as Obsidian is designed for solo use.

Does it play nice with my stack?

Plugins for everything, but quality varies. Some plugins are abandoned or buggy. The ecosystem is rich but requires sorting to find the good ones.

Is it easy to pick up?

The learning curve is frankly steep. It takes time to configure and understand the logic. Remember that it's just note-taking, keep it simple.

Is the UX any good?

The interface is minimalist, which may seem austere or even off-putting at first. No native WYSIWYG, you have to like raw Markdown. The ergonomics require investment to be comfortable.

Is it worth it?

Free for the essentials. Paid sync is optional but remains expensive (8 dollars per month). You can use iCloud or Dropbox, but it requires tinkering and is less reliable.

What I like

  • Advanced note-taking and building an interconnected second brain
  • Those who want to own their data with a local-first approach
  • Free for the essentials with a massive plugin ecosystem

What I like less

  • Getting lost in plugins and YouTube tutorials is a frequent trap
  • Real learning curve at the beginning for non-technical people
  • Paid synchronization or technical tinkering required

Need more details or help building your ideal stack?

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