# Best Note-Taking Apps: Evernote vs Notion vs Obsidian (2026)
Best Note-Taking Apps: Evernote vs Notion vs Obsidian (2026)
Pick the right note app and stick with it. Here’s how Evernote, Notion, and Obsidian differ in sync, offline, structure, backlinks, and collaboration so you can choose the best fit for 2026.
Quick Picks
- Fast capture + web clipping, easiest to learn: Evernote
- All-in-one docs, tasks, databases, collaboration: Notion
- Local-first, markdown, backlinks/graph for thinkers: Obsidian
Pricing Snapshot (2026)
| App | Free | Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evernote | Limited monthly uploads | ~$11–$15/mo | Best for capture + search |
| Notion | Generous | ~$8–$15/user/mo | Workspaces, databases, AI add-on |
| Obsidian | Core is free | Sync ~$8/mo; Publish ~$16/mo | Local files; optional services |
How They Differ
| Area | Evernote | Notion | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data model | Notes + notebooks + tags | Pages + databases + relations | Markdown files + folders + links |
| Offline | Mobile offline on paid | Desktop works offline; mobile partial | Fully local-first; sync optional |
| Backlinks/graph | Basic links | Backlinks in databases/pages | Native backlinks + graph view |
| Collaboration | Shared notebooks | Strong multi-user with permissions | Primarily single-user; publish to web |
| Capture | Top-tier web clipper, email-in | Good web clipper; embeds | Markdown-first; use extensions/bookmarklets |
| Customization | Templates, limited layout | Highly flexible blocks/databases | Plugins/themes; very extensible |
Choose by Workflow
- Meeting notes + web clippings: Evernote.
- Team docs + tasks + light project tracking: Notion.
- Personal knowledge base, research, Zettelkasten: Obsidian.
Setup Checklists
Evernote (30 minutes)
- Create notebooks: Work, Personal, Reference.
- Set web clipper defaults; use tags for topics/people.
- Pin a daily note template for meetings and decisions.
Notion (60–90 minutes)
- Pages: Home, Tasks, Notes, Projects, Resources.
- Databases: Tasks (status, owner, due), Notes (type, project), Resources (tags).
- Set filters for My Tasks, This Week, and Meeting Notes views.
Obsidian (45–60 minutes)
- Folder structure: 0-Inbox, 1-Notes, 2-Projects, 3-References.
- Enable core plugins: Backlinks, Graph, Daily notes; consider Tasks/Dataview if needed.
- Define link conventions: `[[Person Name]]`, `[[Project – Name]]`, and tag with `#area`.
Pros and Cons
| App | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Evernote | Best clipper; fast search; simple | Less flexible structure; pricing has risen |
| Notion | All-in-one; flexible databases; collaboration | Can get slow/heavy; permissions need care |
| Obsidian | Local-first; powerful links/graph; plugins | Setup required; collaboration limited |
Final Recommendation
Pick Evernote if capture and search matter most. Choose Notion if you need shared docs, tasks, and flexible databases. Choose Obsidian if you want a local, markdown-first knowledge base with backlinks and plugins.
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