Upnote and Obsidian are both popular note-taking apps with a good rating, but that’s where the similarity ends. Upnote focuses on simplicity and fast synchronization with an affordable lifetime deal. Obsidian opts for local storage, complete data ownership and unlimited customization through plugins.
Upnote in brief
Upnote is a note-taking app that revolves around distraction-free writing. The tool supports both rich text and Markdown, offers nested notebooks and bi-directional links between notes. Synchronization across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux is included in the premium plan. The free plan limits you to 50 notes without attachments or tables. For $ 1.99 per month you get all features, but the lifetime deal of approximately € 40 is the most popular option.
Obsidian in brief
Obsidian is an offline-first knowledge management system that works with local Markdown files. The tool is known for its graph view that visualizes connections between notes, the Canvas whiteboard, and thousands of community plugins. Basic use is free without limitations. Want cloud synchronization? Then you pay $ 4 per month for Sync Standard. Obsidian Publish for sharing notes online costs $ 8 per month with annual payment.
Upnote vs Obsidian: the differences
The fundamental difference lies in the philosophy. Obsidian stores everything locally on your device in standard Markdown files. You have complete control. No internet connection? No problem. Upnote works with its own database and cloud synchronization. Convenient for those who want to start right away, but you depend on Upnote’s servers.
The feature set differs enormously. Obsidian offers a graph view that shows all connections between notes, a Canvas for visual thinking, and since December 2025 ‘Bases’ for database functionality. The community has built more than a thousand plugins for everything from task management to spaced repetition. Upnote keeps it simpler: focus mode, typewriter mode, and code blocks with syntax highlighting. No plugins, no graph view, no canvas. What you see is what you get.
The mobile experience shows a different contrast. Upnote consistently receives compliments about the mobile apps that feel identical to the desktop version. Fast, reliable, and ideal for capturing quick notes. Obsidian released a major mobile update in December 2025 with auto-hide navigation and swipe gestures, but users still report slower performance compared to the desktop app. The complexity of plugins and graph views translates less well to a small screen.
Limitations are important to mention. Upnote’s free plan limits you to 50 notes without attachments. So for serious use, you have to pay. Obsidian has no limit on notes or features in the free plan, but synchronization between devices requires either a paid Sync option or your own solution via iCloud, Dropbox, or Git. Upnote has a file limit of 20MB per attachment. Obsidian has no hard limit, but large vaults can affect performance.
The learning curve differs drastically. Upnote works right after installation. Choose a notebook, start typing, done. Obsidian requires more investment. You need to understand how local storage works, how to create links between notes, and which plugins improve your workflow. The power comes after configuration. For those who like to experiment, that’s an advantage. For those who just want to take notes, it feels like unnecessary complexity.
Pricing compared
Upnote uses a simple model: $ 1,99 per month or a lifetime deal for approximately € 40. That lifetime option makes it attractive for those who want to avoid long-term costs. The premium version includes everything: unlimited notes, attachments, synchronization across all platforms, and all features.
Obsidian is free for personal use without feature limitations. All features, all plugins, no limit on notes. Synchronization costs extra: Sync Standard is $ 4 per month with annual payment ($ 5 per month with monthly payment). Obsidian Publish for publishing your notes online costs $ 8 per month ($ 10 with monthly payment). Not using cloud sync? Then you pay nothing at all.
Calculated over five years: Upnote lifetime costs € 40 one-time. Obsidian with Sync costs $ 240 (€ 48 per year × 5 years). Without sync, you pay € 0 with Obsidian. The choice depends on your need for cloud synchronization and how much value you place on local storage.
Conclusion
Obsidian wins on flexibility, data ownership, and feature depth. The free plan has no limitations and the plugin community offers solutions for almost any workflow. For those who value control over data and are willing to invest time in configuration, Obsidian is the better choice.
Upnote wins on simplicity, mobile experience, and value for money for those who want cloud sync. The lifetime deal of € 40 beats any subscription in the long term. For those looking for a polished app that works immediately without configuration, Upnote offers more value.
The winner depends on your priorities. Do you value local storage and customizability over convenience? Choose Obsidian. Do you want an affordable, reliable note-taking app without hassle? Choose Upnote. For students and knowledge workers building a personal wiki, Obsidian wins. For professionals who quickly capture and sync notes, Upnote wins.
