Obsidian vs Workflowy
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Obsidian and Workflowy are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Obsidian if you want a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Local-first Markdown knowledge base.
Workflowy — Infinitely nested bullet lists for notes and outlining.
Obsidian vs Workflowy: side by side
| Dimension | Obsidian | Workflowy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4/mo | Free – $4.99/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Researchers, Writers, Power Users | Outliners, Writers |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android | Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.4/5 |
Obsidian key facts
- Vendor
- Obsidian
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Researchers, Writers, Power Users
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Remote
Workflowy key facts
- Vendor
- Workflowy
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4.99/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Outliners, Writers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian better than Workflowy?
Neither is universally better — Obsidian edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Obsidian or Workflowy cheaper?
Obsidian is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $4/mo. Obsidian starts at free – $4/mo; Workflowy starts at free – $4.99/user/mo.
Can Obsidian replace Workflowy?
Yes for most teams — both are note taking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.