For years, Notion has been my go-to for everything from project management to personal note-taking. While Notion excels in many areas, its reliance on cloud storage and rigid structure began to feel limiting. I wanted the freedom of local files and the ability to build a truly interconnected network of ideas. That’s why I decided to test Obsidian, a powerful markdown-based app known for its flexibility.

This is the story of my transition, the challenges I faced, unexpected discoveries, and whether Obsidian lived up to the hype.

Convenience of offline note-taking

No need to worry about internet access

One of the immediate differences I experienced was Obsidian’s offline capabilities. Whether I was on a long flight, working in a remote location with sketchy internet, or simply wanting to avoid distractions, my notes were readily available.

I could capture quick notes, edit existing ones, refer to knowledge graphs, glance over linked notes, and even jot down daily notes without worrying about internet access. Obsidian also felt faster due to its local-first approach. Although the performance difference was minor, Obsidian surely felt more fluid and intuitive.

Cloud storage flexibility

And an optional end-to-end encryption

Here is where Obsidian truly shined. You can either store your vaults offline or use any cloud storage solution of your choice (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or even Nextcloud) to sync them across devices. And the best part is, you can even enable end-to-end encryption by using Obsidian’s Sync add-on (paid one).

Whether you use Google One, Microsoft 365, or iCloud+, you have ample options to sync your vaults for free. You can choose a service that aligns with your existing workflow and preferences. With Notion, you must rely on the company server to store your data. You don’t have any control over it.

Host of customization options

Thanks to the plugin library

When I first switched from Notion to Obsidian, it felt barebone. Obsidian has markdown support, canvas, graph view, and daily notes. And that’s about it. However, I disabled the restricted view and started exploring the plugins, and it blew my mind.

It allows for a level of personalization that's truly remarkable. This is largely thanks to its vibrant community and the robust plugin ecosystem. Obsidian’s theming engine is also effective. I’m not stuck with a default look; I can browse and install community-created themes that range from minimalist and clean to bold and vibrant. I installed the Things theme and gave my personal vault a neat makeover with a single click.

Robust Canvas and graph views

Take your brainstorming sessions to the next level

Two of Obsidian's most compelling features, the Canvas and Graph View, significantly transformed my note-taking experience. The Graph View is a visual representation of my Obsidian vault that shows the connections between my notes. It allows me to see patterns that I might otherwise miss.

Canvas gives me the freedom to brainstorm ideas on a whiteboard with cards, arrows, shapes, and other elements. Whether I’m doing visual brainstorming, creating complex workflows, or dealing with different media types, I can arrange everything on a blank canvas.

Lacks advanced databases

My biggest problem with the switch

So far, I have only talked about the positives of the current transition. Now, let’s go over some of the limitations as well. Unlike Notion, there is no way to embed files from third-party services like Figma, Sketch, Loom, and more.

However, my biggest problem with Obsidian is the lack of advanced databases. I can create basic tables and use third-party plugins to make the process easier. There is no way to change column types, perform calculations, insert formulas, or switch between different database views like gallery, card, list, and more. It’s been a dealbreaker for me.

No templates gallery

Have to start a note from scratch

Whether I want to create a meeting note, class notes, study planner, or client database, I must start from scratch as Obsidian lacks template support. With Notion, I have thousands of templates available at my fingertips. These templates are neatly designed and customizable and let me create aesthetic pages in no time.

Doesn’t support automation

I miss synced blocks and buttons

While migrating my life to Obsidian, I had to go through several repetitive tasks. Here is where I missed Notion’s automation tools. There was no way to create buttons or synced blocks. Obsidian doesn’t work well with third-party apps either. With Notion, I have created several workflows where I receive an alert on Slack whenever I move a card to a specific column or change its status.

My digital brain transplant

My transition from Notion to Obsidian was an eye-opener. The flexibility of markdown, the interconnected graph view, and the local-first approach are quite handy. I truly appreciated the ability to build a knowledge base that felt uniquely mine. However, despite its strength, the absence of robust database features left me wanting for more and it broke my note-taking system as well.

Though I admire Obsidian's potential and will continue to follow its development, for now, I’m back to the familiar, yet still powerful, ecosystem of Notion. If you are looking past both Obsidian and Notion, check out this open-source alternative that combines the best of both worlds.