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Amplenote vs Obsidian: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Amplenote and Obsidian comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: Obsidian is our overall pick for note-taking workflows. Pick Amplenote if you need a free tier to start with.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Amplenote

Transform ideas into actions with an all-in-one note-taking, to-do list, and calendar scheduling app.

Best for you if:

  • Combines note-taking, to-do lists, and calendar scheduling into a single app.
  • Features an Eisenhower Matrix-based 'Task Score' for intelligent task prioritization.

Obsidian

Private and flexible note-taking

Best for you if:

  • Private knowledge base with markdown
  • Your notes, fully offline and yours
At a Glance
AmplenoteAmplenote
ObsidianObsidian
Starts at
FreeFree tier available
FreeFree tier available
Best For
Note-TakingNote-Taking
Rating
4.8/54.4/5

Choose Amplenote or Obsidian?

Amplenote

Choose Amplenote if

Transform ideas into actions with an all-in-one note-taking, to-do list, and calendar scheduling app.

  • Integrates notes, tasks, and calendar in one place, reducing app-switching.
  • Intelligent task prioritization using the Eisenhower Matrix.
  • Strong security features including encryption and Vault Notes.
Obsidian

Choose Obsidian if

Private and flexible note-taking

  • Local-first privacy
  • Extensible plugins
  • Graph view
FeatureAmplenoteObsidian
Pricing ModelFreemiumFreemium
User Rating
4.8/5
10 reviews
4.4/5
29 reviews
Categories
Note-TakingTask Management
Note-TakingProductivity

In-Depth Analysis

AmplenoteAmplenote

Transform ideas into actions with an all-in-one note-taking, to-do list, and calendar scheduling app.

Strengths

  • +Integrates notes, tasks, and calendar in one place, reducing app-switching.
  • +Intelligent task prioritization using the Eisenhower Matrix.
  • +Strong security features including encryption and Vault Notes.
  • +Rich content embedding within notes enhances context and meaning.
  • +Seamless import/export and cross-device syncing.

Weaknesses

  • -Free plan has limitations on file upload size and customer support.
  • -Advanced features like Vault Notes and publishing are only available in higher-tier paid plans.

Key features

Encrypted notes with full user control over viewing permissionsFour distinct modes for note-taking, task management, and calendar schedulingRich Footnotes for embedding pictures, videos, Google Sheets, and linked note sectionsEisenhower Matrix-based 'Task Score' for task prioritizationPublish and collaborate on notes with custom stylesheetsEffortless imports from Evernote, Roam, and other providers
Starts at Free

ObsidianObsidian

Private and flexible note-taking

Strengths

  • +Local-first privacy
  • +Extensible plugins
  • +Graph view

Weaknesses

  • -Sync costs extra
  • -Steep learning curve

Key features

Markdown notesBacklinksGraph viewDaily notesTemplatesCanvas
Starts at Free

Pricing: Amplenote vs Obsidian

PlanAmplenoteObsidian
Tier 1N/A
$0
Free
Tier 2N/A
$4/user/month
Sync
Tier 3N/A
$8/site/month
Publish
Tier 4N/A
$50/user/year
Commercial

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amplenote pricing and Obsidian pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: Amplenote

Want the highest-rated option?

Amplenote: 4.8/5 (10 reviews). Obsidian: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).

Go with: Amplenote

Value user reviews?

Amplenote: 10 reviews (4.8/5). Obsidian: 29 reviews (4.4/5).

Go with: Obsidian

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

Amplenote is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.4/5.

Key Takeaways

Obsidian

  • Larger review base (29 reviews)
  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Amplenote

  • Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.4/5

The Bottom Line

Obsidian is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amplenote or Obsidian better?

Obsidian is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.

What are Amplenote and Obsidian used for?

Amplenote: Transform ideas into actions with an all-in-one note-taking, to-do list, and calendar scheduling app.. Obsidian: Private and flexible note-taking.

What does Amplenote cost vs Obsidian?

Amplenote is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Obsidian is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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