AS Notes vs Obsidian: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AS Notes 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 wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick AS Notes if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AS Notes
Powerful note-taking for developers, integrated directly into VS Code with markdown and wikilinks.
Best for you if:
- • You want keeps notes directly within the VS Code editor, reducing context switching
- • You want uses standard Markdown files, preventing vendor lock-in and ensuring portability
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Best for you if:
- • You want local-first privacy
- • You want extensible plugins
| At a Glance | AS Notes | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | - | 4.5/5G2 4.5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Sync ($4-5/month) is almost mandatory for multi-device users. While you can use free alternatives (iCloud, Google Drive, Git), they introduce sync conflicts that Obsidian Sync solves with end-to-end encryption and proper conflict resolution. Most serious users end up paying for Sync |
Choose AS Notes or Obsidian?
Choose AS Notes if
Powerful note-taking for developers, integrated directly into VS Code with markdown and wikilinks.
- You want keeps notes directly within the VS Code editor, reducing context switching
- You want uses standard Markdown files, preventing vendor lock-in and ensuring portability
Choose Obsidian if
Private and flexible note-taking
- You want local-first privacy
- You want extensible plugins
| Feature | AS Notes | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingIDE & Code Editors | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
AS Notes
Powerful note-taking for developers, integrated directly into VS Code with markdown and wikilinks.
The pricing for AS Notes is exceptionally generous, offering a powerful Free tier and a Pro Editor lifetime license for a one-time payment of $18.
Strengths
- +Keeps notes directly within the VS Code editor, reducing context switching.
- +Uses standard Markdown files, preventing vendor lock-in and ensuring portability.
- +Supports powerful linking of ideas with wikilinks and backlinks.
- +Includes task management and daily journal features for integrated workflow.
- +One-time purchase for Pro Editor features, no subscription required.
Weaknesses
- -Primarily focused on VS Code and compatible editors, limiting use for those outside this ecosystem.
- -Advanced features like Kanban and static site publishing are only available in the paid Pro Editor version.
Key features
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Obsidian core app is genuinely free with no feature gating, every note-taking and knowledge management feature works without paying.
Watch out
Sync ($4-5/month) is almost mandatory for multi-device users. While you can use free alternatives (iCloud, Google Drive, Git), they introduce sync conflicts that Obsidian Sync solves with end-to-end encryption and proper conflict resolution. Most serious users end up paying for Sync
Strengths
- +Local-first privacy
- +Extensible plugins
- +Graph view
Weaknesses
- -Sync costs extra
- -Steep learning curve
Key features
Pricing: AS Notes vs Obsidian
| Plan | AS Notes | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 forever Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $18 one-time Pro Editor | $4/user/month Sync |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $8/site/month Publish |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $50/user/year Commercial |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AS Notes pricing and Obsidian pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: AS Notes
Want the highest-rated option?
Obsidian is rated 4.5/5. AS Notes has no ratings yet.
Go with: Obsidian
Value user reviews?
AS Notes: no ratings yet. Obsidian: 12 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Obsidian
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Obsidian is rated 4.5/5; AS Notes has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Obsidian
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AS Notes
- Choose if you want powerful note-taking for developers, integrated directly into VS Code with markdown and wikilinks
The Bottom Line
Obsidian wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AS Notes or Obsidian better?
Obsidian is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are AS Notes and Obsidian used for?
AS Notes: Powerful note-taking for developers, integrated directly into VS Code with markdown and wikilinks.. Obsidian: Private and flexible note-taking.
What does AS Notes cost vs Obsidian?
AS Notes is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Obsidian is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.