Obsidian is great for local-first, markdown-based note-taking, but requires time to learn its plugin setup and interface. Teams often struggle with collaboration, automation, or ease of use. Whether you're a visual thinker, a student, or a founder juggling workflows across tools, there’s likely a better fit.
Here’s what this article covers:
- 10 top Obsidian alternatives
- Detailed overviews and comparisons of these tools
- Best options for specific knowledge management needs
- Migration strategies to preserve your knowledge graph
- Why Obsidian falls short for growing teams and operational roles
- Where Lindy fits into this landscape
We begin with a quick-glance list of the top 10 alternatives.
The 10 best Obsidian alternatives in 2025: TL;DR
Whether you want better automation, a more visual interface, or something simpler to use, this list covers your options.
Here’s a quick look at the top picks in 2025:
- Lindy – Best for automated content creation & retrieval
- Tana – Best for AI-augmented workflows & task-connected notes
- Scrintal – Best for visual thinkers & mind-mapping researchers
- Logseq – Best for privacy-first, local-first personal knowledge management (PKM)
- Roam Research – Best for networked thought & non-linear note-taking
- RemNote – Best for students who want flashcards & spaced repetition
- Craft – Best for polished documents & cross-platform writing
- Mem – Best for AI-powered daily note-taking & automatic organization
- Dendron – Best for devs & technical users who want hierarchy and control
- Supernotes – Best for collaborative, card-based note-taking
These tools solve specific problems that Obsidian doesn’t, like collaboration, automation, and visual organization.
1. Lindy – Best for automated content creation & retrieval
Lindy is an AI agent platform designed to handle repetitive knowledge tasks for individuals and teams. It automatically captures, summarizes, and distributes information across tools like Gmail, Slack, Google Docs, and Notion.
Lindy is built for professionals who want to automate workflows around meetings, emails, documentation, and internal knowledge. It’s ideal for operators, founders, recruiters, and support teams managing heavy email or document workflows.
Pricing
- Free plan: 400 monthly credits
- Pro: $49.99/month for 5,000 credits
- Business: $299.99/month for 30,000 credits
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Features
- AI agents for email, meetings, docs, and Slack
- No-code editor to build or edit agents and workflows
- Multi-agent workflows across connected tools
- 7,000+ integrations with tools like Notion, Airtable, and Google Calendar
- Ready-to-use, customizable templates for notes and summarization workflows
- Role-based access and team collaboration
- Supports multiple languages and file types
- API and webhook support
- SOC 2 and HIPAA-compliant for enterprise use
Pros
- Automates knowledge-heavy workflows
- Works across tools like Gmail and Slack
- Easy to build and customize agents
Cons
- Initial setup requires planning
- Not built for deep PKM structuring
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2. Tana – Best for AI-augmented workflows & task-connected notes
Tana is a structured note-taking app where everything is a node. It connects notes to tasks, tags, and calendars using a flexible, database-like structure. Designed for people managing large information workflows, Tana suits operators and PMs who connect tasks, notes, and structured workflows.
Pricing
- Free plan available
- Plus: $10/month, billed monthly
- Pro: $18/month, billed monthly
Features
- AI-powered command bar for tasks and notes
- Supertags and fields for structure
- Calendar integration and daily notes
- Linked references and query blocks
- Custom workflows with repeatable templates
Pros
- Combines notes and tasks in one view
- Fast and minimal UI
- Supports structured data and filtering
Cons
- Limited offline support
- Some features require setup effort
3. Scrintal – Best for visual thinkers & mind-mapping researchers
Scrintal helps visual thinkers organize research using a digital canvas. Users can organize note cards visually on a canvas, making it ideal for research, synthesis, and project planning. It’s best suited for academics, strategists, and visual learners who prefer connecting ideas visually rather than through folder hierarchies.
Pricing
- No free plan available
- Pro plan: $9/month, billed annually
Features
- Visual canvas for note cards
- Bidirectional linking and tags
- PDF/image/media embedding
- Real-time collaboration
- Export to markdown or text
Pros
- Great for mapping research visually
- Easy to spot patterns across notes
- Supports structured and freeform thinking
Cons
- No automation or task handling
- Limited export and offline access
4. Logseq – Best for privacy-first, local-first PKM
Logseq is an open-source, Markdown-based note-taking app that runs locally. It’s designed for users who want complete control over their knowledge base, with graph-based linking and journaling. Developers, researchers, and privacy-conscious users often choose Logseq for its offline-first approach and extensibility.
Pricing
- Free and open-source
- Optional paid sync service
- Donations support development
Features
- Daily journaling and task system
- Bi-directional linking and graph view
- Supports plugins and themes
- Flashcards and spaced repetition
- Local file storage, no cloud dependency
Pros
- Local-first with optional sync
- Full Markdown + Org-mode support
- Great for research and Zettelkasten
Cons
- Some features require technical setup
- Limited collaboration
5. Roam Research – Best for networked thought & non-linear note-taking
Roam is a graph-based note-taking tool with bi-directional linking. It’s built for users who want to connect ideas across time and topics without being restricted to folders or linear documents.
Roam is often used by researchers, writers, and knowledge workers to build long-term thinking systems.
Pricing
- Pro: $15/month, billed monthly
- Believer: $500 for a 5-year plan
Features
- Daily notes with backlinks
- Page references and block embedding
- Graph view to visualize connections
- Templates and query functions
- Markdown export supported
Pros
- Non-linear, flexible thinking model
- Strong internal linking system
- Ideal for long-term research
Cons
- No offline mode
- Limited collaboration or automation
6. RemNote – Best for students who want flashcards & spaced repetition
RemNote combines note-taking with flashcard-based learning. It’s designed for students, researchers, and lifelong learners who want to retain information through active recall. The app is built around a daily queue of flashcards generated directly from notes.
Pricing
- Free plan available
- Pro: $10/month, billed monthly
- Pro with AI: $20/month, billed monthly
- Life-long Learner: $365 one-time payment
Features
- Built-in flashcard generation
- Spaced repetition learning engine
- Bi-directional linking and tags
- PDF highlighting and annotation
- Custom themes and markdown support
Pros
- Great for exam prep and memorization
- Combines notes and flashcards
- Supports offline usage
Cons
- Not ideal for task or workflow management
- Can feel cluttered for basic note-taking
7. Craft – Best for polished documents & cross-platform writing
Craft is a note-taking and writing app that lets you create visually clean, well-structured documents. It’s for users who need to create well-structured, shareable documents, like founders, project managers, and content teams. Its real-time collaboration and export options make it useful for team environments.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features
- Plus (Solo): $9.99/month, billed monthly
- Plus (Together): $17.99/month, billed monthly
Features
- Rich formatting and nested pages
- Real-time collaboration
- Calendar and task integration
- Export to PDF, Markdown, Word
- Cross-device sync including web, iOS, and Mac
Pros
- Easy to share polished documents
- Excellent mobile and web experience
- Good export and publishing options
Cons
- No graph view or advanced PKM
- Limited structure for linking ideas
8. Mem – Best for AI-powered daily note-taking & automatic organization
Mem is a fast, lightweight note-taking app that uses AI to organize and resurface information. It’s built for users who want quick capture and easy retrieval, without worrying about folders or manual sorting. It’s ideal for founders, operators, and fast-paced teams.
Pricing
- Completely free
Features
- AI auto-tagging and auto-linking
- GPT-4 assistant built-in
- Integrates with Zapier
- Smart search across docs and messages
- Daily inbox for quick capture
- Syncs across devices
Pros
- Organizes notes without folders
- Fast and minimal design
- Built-in assistant helps with writing
Cons
- Early-stage feel in some areas
- Lacks deep structure or graph view
9. Dendron – Best for devs & technical users who want hierarchy and control
Dendron is a structured, Markdown-based note-taking tool built as a Visual Studio Code extension. It’s made for developers and technical users who want full control over how they structure and search their notes. Dendron fits engineering teams, architects, and anyone working with technical documentation.
Pricing
- Free and open-source
- Optional self-hosted sync and vaults
- No paid tiers
Features
- Hierarchical note organization
- Graph view and backlinks
- Markdown support with custom shortcuts
- VS Code-native interface
- Local-first with Git integration
Pros
- Great for large, structured vaults
- Git-friendly and scriptable
- Open-source and customizable
Cons
- Only works inside VS Code
- Not beginner-friendly
10. Supernotes – Best for collaborative, card-based note-taking
Supernotes is a fast, card-based note app designed for collaboration. Users link, tag, and share markdown cards in real time. It’s built for students, educators, and teams who want structured, modular notes they can build on together.
Pricing
- Free: Up to 100 cards
- Unlimited: $11/month, billed monthly
Features
- Real-time collaboration
- AI summarization for cards
- Graph view, backlinks, and tags
- Custom themes and permissions
- Exports in Markdown and PDF
Pros
- Clean, fast interface
- Great for group note-taking
- Modular structure is easy to maintain
Cons
- Card limit on the free plan
- Lacks automation or task features
Obsidian alternatives: feature comparison table
This table compares the tools side by side across key features. Here’s what it looks like:
Next, we understand where Obsidian falls short and why teams discuss its alternatives.
Why enterprises look beyond Obsidian
Solo thinkers benefit from Obsidian. But teams struggle with collaboration and workflow support. If you're managing knowledge at scale or across functions, you’ll likely run into a few core issues. These issues can be:
- Steep learning curve for plugins & graph logic: Obsidian’s customization is powerful but takes time to master and maintain.
- No built-in collaboration or AI functionality: Teams can’t co-edit in real-time, and there’s no AI to automate routine work.
- Not ideal for team-based or non-technical users: Only power users benefit most from Obsidian’s UI, plugin setup, and local file management.
- No automation or integrations out of the box: Obsidian doesn’t connect well with tools like Slack, Google Docs, or CRMs without plugins or scripts.
- No way to act on your notes: You can write and organize notes, but they don’t trigger workflows, assign tasks, or move info across tools.
Support, operations, or internal knowledge teams need more than linked Markdown files.
That’s where tools like Lindy, Zapier, or IFTTT start to stand out.
How Lindy compares to note-taking apps
Most note-taking tools help you organize what you already know. Lindy captures new data, summarizes it, and sends it where it’s needed.
Lindy can store knowledge and run operations for you. For example, it can send project summaries to Notion, assign tasks in Asana, or draft emails in Gmail.
Here are a few Lindy workflows:
- Record and transcribe meetings and push to Google Docs: Lindy listens to meetings, writes summaries, and sends them where they’re needed.
- Summarize Slack threads or research docs: You don’t need to copy-paste anything. Agents handle it automatically.
- Draft email replies from support tickets or meeting notes: Cut down on repetitive writing with auto-generated responses.
- Trigger workflows when new notes are created: For example, send project notes to Notion, or push updates into Airtable.
If most apps like Obsidian help you store notes, Lindy helps you use them. So, which one should you choose?
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Who should use Lindy vs Obsidian?
Obsidian is better suited for personal workflows. Lindy shines when you need to coordinate across a team, automate tasks, or reduce manual work. Here’s where each tool fits best:
Use Obsidian if you:
- Prefer full control over your notes and structure
- Work solo and value local storage or open-source tools
- Like Markdown, plugins, and building your system
- Don’t need built-in collaboration or automation
- Are okay managing your sync, backups, and setup
Use Lindy if you:
- Want AI agents to create and organize notes automatically
- Need meeting summaries, email drafts, and Slack recaps
- Prefer workflows to folders
- Share knowledge across tools like Notion, Google Docs, or CRMs
- Want these notes to trigger actions across your tools
It depends on whether you want to manage your knowledge or put it to work.
Try Lindy, the Obsidian alternative that can automate actions from your notes
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use AI tool that can summarize your meetings, emails, and other documents, and take actions, try Lindy.
Lindy fills the gaps Obsidian leaves, especially around automation, AI summarization, and team workflows. Here’s how:
- Simple no-code interface: You won’t need coding, programming, or technical skills to create your automations with Lindy — it offers a drag-and-drop visual workflow builder.
- AI agents customized to your needs: You can create AI agents that understand plain English and accelerate your productivity in many ways. For instance, create an assistant that bolsters your sales funnel by finding leads from websites and business intelligence sources like People Data Labs. Create another agent that sends out emails to each lead and schedules meetings with members of your sales team.
- Affordability: Build your first few automations with Lindy’s free version and get up to 400 tasks. With the Pro plan, you can automate up to 5,000 tasks, which offers much more value than Lindy’s competitors.
You can start with Lindy’s free plan and automate up to 400 tasks right away.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best alternatives to Obsidian for beginners?
Craft and Tana are some of the best Obsidian alternatives for beginners. Craft has a clean, doc-style interface with polished exports. Tana works out of the box without needing a third-party plugin setup. If you're looking for automation, Lindy is beginner-friendly despite its power.
Can I use AI tools like Lindy for knowledge management?
Yes, you can use AI tools like Lindy for knowledge management. It also routes notes into the right docs or apps, which is especially helpful if your workflow spans multiple tools.
Are there open-source alternatives to Obsidian?
Yes, there are open-source alternatives to Obsidian, such as Logseq and Dendron. Logseq focuses on graph-based thinking, while Dendron is ideal for developers who want structured, local-first documentation inside VS Code.
Which note-taking apps support graph views?
The note-taking apps that support graph views include Obsidian, Logseq, and Roam Research. Each varies in depth and use case, but they all give you a bird's-eye view of how your ideas connect.
How does Lindy compare to tools like Tana or Logseq?
Lindy differs from Tana and Logseq by automating actions across your tools. Tana focuses on structured data and tasks, while Logseq is built for local-first graph-based notes. Lindy’s AI agents can summarize a meeting and send a recap to Notion or Slack.
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