The Comparison Every Student Needs: Obsidian MD or Notion

Obsidian and Notion are both powerful tools for organising and managing information but they have some key differences that make them better suited for different types of users and use cases. Here's a comparison of the two tools to help you decide which one is right for you.

What is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a markdown-based note-taking and organisational tool that uses a local folder structure to store and organise your notes. It's an application that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, mobile devices and it allows you to link notes together using a simple syntax, creating a web of interconnected ideas. Obsidian also has a robust set of features for managing and organising your notes, including customisable tags, filters, and advanced search capabilities.

What is Notion?

Notion is a cloud-based organisational tool that lets you create and manage a wide range of content types, including notes, tasks, wikis, and databases. It's available on desktop, mobile, web and it uses a flexible block-based editor to allow you to create and arrange content in a variety of formats and layouts. Notion also has a large selection of templates and integrations with other tools, making it a versatile choice for organising and managing information.

Key Differences

There are a few key differences between Obsidian and Notion that are worth considering when deciding which tool is right for you:

• Note storage: One of the main differences between Obsidian and Notion is the way they store and organise notes. Obsidian uses a local folder structure to store your notes, while Notion stores them in the cloud and organises them using a block-based editor. This means that Obsidian is better suited for users who prefer to keep their notes on their own computer, while Notion is a better choice for users who want the convenience of cloud-based storage and access from anywhere.

• Collaboration: Both Obsidian and Notion have some collaboration features but they differ in their approach. Obsidian allows you to share notes with other users and collaborate in real-time using a feature called "Obsidian Vault," while Notion has more robust collaboration features that allow you to share entire workspaces and assign tasks to team members. If collaboration is a key concern for you, Notion might be the better choice.

• Customization: Both Obsidian and Notion allow you to customise and organise your notes and content in various ways but Obsidian has a more limited set of customisation options. It allows you to use tags and filters to organise your notes but it doesn't have the same level of flexibility as Notion's block-based editor. If you need a high level of customisation and layout control, Notion might be a better choice.

Who Should Use Obsidian?

Obsidian is a great tool for users who prefer a simple, markdown-based note-taking and organisational tool that can be used offline. It's particularly well-suited for users who prefer to keep their notes on their own computer and have a lot of interconnected ideas that they want to link together. If you're a writer, researcher, or academic, Obsidian's powerful search and linking capabilities might be particularly appealing.

Who Should Use Notion?

Notion is a more versatile and feature-rich tool that's suitable for a wide range of users and use cases. It's particularly well-suited for users who need a cloud-based tool that can handle a wide range of content types and formats, and who value the ability to collaborate with others and assign tasks. If you're part of a team that needs a flexible and customisable tool.