Obsidian vs Evernote
Is switching from Evernote to Obsidianworth it? Here's a detailed comparison of pricing, features, and ownership.
Obsidian and Evernote both serve note-taking and web clipping, but they differ fundamentally in pricing and ownership. Evernote costs $20.83/month ($249.96/year), while Obsidian is available for Free, optional $50/year commercial license. Obsidian offers professional features without ongoing fees. This comparison breaks down exactly what you gain, what you lose, and whether switching makes sense for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Switching to Obsidian saves you $249.96/year — $749.88 over 3 years
Evernote costs
$249.96/yr
3-year cost
$749.88
Obsidian costs
Free, optional $50/year commercial license
Best for
- +Note-takers
- +Researchers
- +Writers
Not ideal for
- −Users heavily using web clipping
- −Users needing document scanning
Feature Comparison
| Feature | EvernoteSubscription | ObsidianAlternative |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $20.83/mo $249.95999999999998/year | Freemium· Free, optional $50/year commercial license |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop (typical) | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid |
| Offline Support | Limited (typical) | ✓Full offline |
| Open Source | No | Proprietary |
| Ownership | Renting | Full ownership |
| Cloud Dependency | High (typical) | Mostly offline |
| Migration | — | Medium |
Pricing
Evernote
$20.83/mo
$249.95999999999998/year
Obsidian
Freemium· Free, optional $50/year commercial licensePlatforms
Evernote
Web, Desktop (typical)Obsidian
Offline Support
Evernote
Limited (typical)Obsidian
✓Full offlineOpen Source
Evernote
NoObsidian
ProprietaryOwnership
Evernote
RentingObsidian
Full ownershipCloud Dependency
Evernote
High (typical)Obsidian
Mostly offlineMigration
Evernote
—Obsidian
MediumSwitching Analysis
+What you gain with Obsidian
- +Local-first storage
- +Markdown files
- +Powerful linking
- +No subscription
−What you lose
- −Web clipping
- −Document scanning
- −Mobile app features
Who Should Switch?
✓Good candidates for Obsidian
- +Note-takers
- +Researchers
- +Writers
✗Should keep using Evernote
- −Users heavily using web clipping
- −Users needing document scanning
Migration Guide
Switching from Evernote to Obsidian is rated as medium. Here's how to make the move:
Export your data
Go to Evernote's settings and export your data in CSV, PDF, or native format. Most tools support bulk export.
Install Obsidian
Download Obsidian from the official website. It costs Free, optional $50/year commercial license — a one-time purchase.
Import and configure
Import your exported data into Obsidian. Set up your preferences, shortcuts, and workflows to match your existing setup.
Run in parallel
Use both tools side-by-side for a week or two. This lets you verify everything works before fully switching.
Cancel subscription
Once you're confident Obsidian meets your needs, cancel your Evernote subscription. You've escaped the subscription!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Obsidian a good alternative to Evernote?
Yes, Obsidian is a solid alternative to Evernote. It offers a free tier with professional features, making it a great choice for users looking to escape subscriptions. Obsidian handles the core functionality that most Evernote users rely on daily.
How much can I save by switching from Evernote to Obsidian?
Switching from Evernote ($249.96/year) to Obsidian (Free, optional $50/year commercial license) can save you approximately $249.96 per year, or $749.88 over three years. The savings start immediately with zero upfront cost.
What do I lose by switching from Evernote to Obsidian?
The main trade-offs include: Web clipping, Document scanning, Mobile app features. However, Obsidian still covers the core functionality most users need. The gaps are typically in advanced features and ecosystem integrations, not daily-use capabilities.
Can I migrate my data from Evernote to Obsidian?
Yes. Most Evernote data can be exported in standard formats (CSV, PDF, or native format) and imported into Obsidian. The migration difficulty is rated as medium, so it may take some effort.
Is Obsidian a one-time purchase?
Yes, Obsidian costs Free, optional $50/year commercial license. You pay once and own it forever — no monthly or annual subscription fees.
Does Obsidian work on the same platforms as Evernote?
Obsidian is available on windows, macos, linux, ios, android. This covers all major platforms, so you can use it on all your devices.
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Ready to stop renting Evernote?
Obsidian is a free to start alternative that lets you own your tools.