It’s no secret that Obsidian has been my go-to knowledge management tool for quite a while. It’s powerful, has a local-first nature, rich plugin support, a graph view, and a bunch of tools to build a second brain. However, as the months have passed and my workflow has evolved, some of its shortcomings have started showing up. Especially when a new generation of alternatives has emerged that offer sleeker interfaces, more intuitive features, and a faster pace of innovation.

I’m finding it harder and harder to justify sticking with Obsidian, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s starting to fall behind.

Obsidian Bases isn’t enough

I need advanced databases

When I first heard that Obsidian was introducing a core plugin for databases called Bases, I was genuinely excited. For a long time, the lack of a native database solution was one of my main reasons for considering alternatives.

While the plugin is a great first step with tables, cards, filters, and properties, it’s become clear to me that it’s still way behind. The main issue is the lack of flexibility and viewing options.

For instance, in Notion, I have the power to switch between different views like boards, lists, gallery, calendar, timeline, and even charts with a few clicks.

Furthermore, Notion’s database isn’t just about views; it’s about the depth of its functionality. From people and URLs to advanced formula properties, I have a range of columns to play with.

I have started creating different databases for my subscription tracker, personal project management, travel itinerary, and more, and Obsidian Bases is simply not capable enough to do the job.

Too much reliance on third-party plugins

Not every plugin receive frequent updates

The heavy reliance on community plugins has been one of my biggest frustrations with Obsidian. I have spent countless hours in the community plugins browser to find the perfect tool for a specific task, only to realize that what I really want is a core feature.

A perfect example is the Kanban board. To get this essential project management view, I had to install a third-party plugin. While it works great, it will never feel as seamless (and feature-rich) as a native implementation.

If you want to change anything about Obsidian’s core appearance (beyond just switching between community themes), you need to dive into the world of CSS snippets. This requires a level of technical knowledge that many people simply don’t have.

Modern alternatives build this customization into the core application and offer user-friendly settings to change colors, fonts, and layouts without touching a single line of code.

Finally, the plugin ecosystem introduces a significant risk: outdated and abandoned plugins. I have run into several plugins that were once a crucial part of my workflow but have since become a source of frustration. The developers stopped providing updates, and the plugins broke with new Obsidian updates. This is a problem that doesn’t exist when a feature is built into the core application.

Obsidian lacks automation

Several tasks are time-consuming

This is one of the biggest reasons I’m starting to feel that Obsidian is being left behind: its lack of native automation and AI. When I need to get meaningful insights from my vault, like summarizing a long meeting note or finding connections across a dozen research papers, I have to use an external tool like NotebookLM. It’s a multi-step process that breaks my workflow.

The same problem applies to automation. In Notion, I can use buttons and synced blocks to streamline my daily tasks. A single button can create a new meeting note from a template, fill it with the date, and tag the relevant project. A synced block lets me edit a single block and have it instantly update across my entire workspace.

In Obsidian, achieving anything close to this requires a complex web of plugins like Templater and Dataview.

The mobile app is basic

Non-negotiable in a mobile-first world

While Obsidian’s desktop version is a powerhouse for deep work, the mobile experience is basic and clunky. The problems start the moment I try to open the app. With a large vault and various plugins, the app often takes several seconds to load.

Even the interface feels less intuitive and not optimized for one-handed use. I can add a new note, but the process feels slow. This is where I have had to turn to an entirely different application: Google Keep.

It opens instantly and offers a home screen widget to take quick notes on the go. My workflow has become a two-step process: I use Google Keep for all my quick thoughts and lists. Then, during a dedicated review session, I move them to my Obsidian vaults. This is a workflow that works, but it highlights Obsidian’s fundamental weakness.

My journey away from Obsidian

It’s not that Obsidian is a bad tool – it’s just no longer the best tool for my evolving needs. While Obsidian may continue to serve a specific, dedicated audience, it’s becoming a niche tool in a market that demands more. For anyone looking for a modern, efficient, and forward-thinking solution, the alternatives have simply become too compelling to ignore.

The burning question is, which productivity tool am I replacing with Obsidian? As of now, I’m toying with both Notion and Anytype. Notion has superior automation and database options, while Anytype is local-first, offers open code, and delivers native mobile apps.