Obsidian vs AFFiNE: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Obsidian and AFFiNE 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.1/10)
- • You need documentation features specifically
- • Private knowledge base with markdown
- • Your notes, fully offline and yours
AFFiNE
Unified knowledge OS
Best for you if:
- • You need whiteboard features specifically
- • Open-source Notion alternative
- • Privacy-first workspace
| At a Glance |  Obsidian |  AFFiNE |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Documentation | Whiteboard |
Rating | 90/100 | 81/100 |
| Feature | Obsidian | AFFiNE |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 81 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 146 |
| Categories | DocumentationNote-Taking | WhiteboardNote-Taking |
How Obsidian and AFFiNE Compare
Obsidian
Private and flexible note-taking
Free tier available · 90/100 score
AFFiNE
Unified knowledge OS
Free tier available · 81/100 score
Obsidian is a documentation tool. AFFiNE is in whiteboard.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Obsidian
Want the highest-rated option?
Obsidian: 90/100. AFFiNE: 81/100.
Go with: Obsidian
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
Obsidian is a documentation tool. AFFiNE is in whiteboard. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Obsidian scores higher: 90/100 vs 81/100.
Key Takeaways
Obsidian
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 81
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AFFiNE
- More community upvotes (146)
- Better fit for whiteboard
The Bottom Line
Obsidian (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Obsidian or AFFiNE better?
Obsidian scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Obsidian and AFFiNE used for?
Obsidian: Private and flexible note-taking. AFFiNE: Unified knowledge OS.
What does Obsidian cost vs AFFiNE?
Obsidian is freemium (free tier + paid plans). AFFiNE is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.