Standard Notes vs Obsidian: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
What are Standard Notes and Obsidian?
Standard Notes is a note-taking tool that protects your data with strong encryption. When you write a note, it gets locked with a secret code that only you have. This means even the company that runs Standard Notes cannot read what you write. Your notes sync across all your devices automatically, so you can start writing on your phone and continue on your computer.
The app offers both free and paid plans. The free version includes basic note-taking with full encryption, while paid plans add features like rich text formatting, file storage, and advanced editors for different types of content. It works on web browsers, desktop computers, and mobile devices, giving you access everywhere.
Obsidian is a note-taking app that works with plain text files stored directly on your device. You can write notes, link them together, and see how your ideas connect through a visual graph. Unlike cloud-based tools, everything stays private on your computer.
The app uses simple text files with basic formatting, which means your notes remain readable even without Obsidian. You can link any note to another, creating connections that help you discover patterns in your thinking. This makes it great for building knowledge over time.
There is a free version with all core features and optional paid services for cloud syncing and web publishing. The app works on computers, phones, and tablets.
Features of Standard Notes and Obsidian
End-to-end encryption for complete privacy
Unlimited devices and notes with free plan
Offline access to all downloaded notes
Tag-based organization system
Password lock for individual notes
Two-factor authentication support
Daily encrypted email backups
Open source and audited code
Cross-platform support (web, desktop, mobile)
File storage with paid plans
Multiple note types (markdown, code, spreadsheets)
Stores notes locally on your device with full privacy
Links notes together to build knowledge networks
Visual graph shows connections between ideas
Canvas for unlimited brainstorming space
Thousands of free community plugins available
Works offline without internet connection
Plain text files you own forever
Mobile apps for phones and tablets
Supports basic text formatting
Free to use with optional paid services
Use Cases of Standard Notes and Obsidian
Pricing of Standard Notes and Obsidian
Standard Notes offers three plans to fit different needs. The Standard plan is completely free forever and includes end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, basic text notes, offline access, tags, password protection for notes, full data export, two-factor authentication, and daily email backups.
The Productivity plan costs $90 per year and adds powerful features like Super note type for markdown and rich text, spreadsheet creation, Daily Notebooks for journaling, authenticator for other services, folder organization, web clipper tool, one-year note history, and dedicated support.
The Professional plan is $120 per year and includes everything from Productivity plus 100GB encrypted cloud storage for files, subscription sharing with up to five accounts, unlimited file size, offline file access, local file backups, Moments photo capture, unlimited note history, and hardware security key support.
Obsidian is completely free for personal use with all core features included. You get unlimited notes, full plugin access, and complete control over your data at no cost.
For users who want to sync notes across devices, Obsidian Sync offers two plans. The Standard plan costs $4 per month when paid yearly (or $5 monthly) and includes one synced vault with 1GB storage. The Plus plan costs $8 per month yearly (or $10 monthly) with 10GB storage and unlimited vaults.
Obsidian Publish lets you share notes on the web for $8 per month yearly (or $10 monthly) per site, with custom themes and no technical knowledge needed.
The optional Commercial License costs $50 per user yearly for business use, though it became optional in 2025. For one-time supporters, the Catalyst license at $25 gives early access to beta versions and community perks.
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