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Most buyers should pick Obsidian.
Choose WorkFlowy for a deliberately simple nested list, especially if you want notes and tasks to sync across web, desktop, and mobile. Its Basic plan is free but limited to 100 nodes per month; Pro is $6.99/month billed annually ($8.99 monthly). Choose Obsidian for a free, unlimited personal Markdown vault stored locally. Sync is optional and starts at $4/user/month billed annually ($5 monthly). Obsidian is the stronger default for price and data control; WorkFlowy suits people who prefer one outliner.
01Side by side
| WorkFlowy | Obsidian | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid entry price | $6.99/month billed annually; $8.99 monthly | Sync: $4/user/month annually; $5 monthly |
| Free plan | 100 nodes/month; 100 MB uploads | Free personal note-taking without limits |
| Best for | People who prefer one nested list | Personal knowledge management with local Markdown notes |
| Core strength | Simple nested bullets for notes and tasks | Linked notes, graph view, and Canvas |
| Learning curve | A focused, single-list outliner | More setup for links, plugins, and customization |
| Data and portability | Syncs across web, desktop, and mobile | Local Markdown files; optional encrypted Sync |
| Team / seat costs | Per-seat pricing not published | Commercial: $50/user/year; Sync: $4/user/month annually |
| Support | Support details not published | Priority support on Sync and Publish |
WorkFlowy Choose WorkFlowy if
- Choose WorkFlowy if you want one nested list for notes and tasks.
- Choose WorkFlowy if cross-device syncing matters more than local files.
- Choose WorkFlowy if 100 free nodes per month is enough.
Obsidian Choose Obsidian if
- Choose Obsidian if you want a free, unlimited personal notes app.
- Choose Obsidian if you want notes stored as local Markdown files.
- Choose Obsidian if you need links, graph view, or Canvas.
02Pricing compared
Obsidian is cheaper if you can keep your notes local. Its personal note-taking plan is free without limits, and no sign-up is required. Sync is optional: the pricing page lists it at $4 per user per month billed annually, or $5 month to month.
WorkFlowy’s Basic plan is free, but caps use at 100 nodes per month and file uploads at 100 MB. If you need more, Pro costs $6.99 per month with annual billing or $8.99 month to month, with unlimited nodes and uploads. That makes WorkFlowy a paid choice for regular users, while Obsidian can stay free if local files are enough. Obsidian also sells Publish for $8 per site per month annually or $10 monthly; it is for publishing notes, not syncing a personal vault.
03Features and depth
WorkFlowy is built around one nested bullet list. You can use it for notes, tasks, folders, and documents, then indent bullets to organize details. It syncs across web, desktop, and mobile. The trade-off is that the product’s central organizing model is an outliner; if you want separate Markdown files and linked-note tools, that is not the same approach.
Obsidian stores notes on your device as plain-text Markdown files, so they remain accessible offline. You can link notes and view their relationships in a graph, or use Canvas to arrange ideas, research, and diagrams in an open space. Plugins, themes, and an open API let you customize the workspace. Obsidian’s free personal plan does not include its paid Sync service: Sync adds end-to-end encryption, version history, shared-vault collaboration, and priority support. In short, WorkFlowy prioritizes a unified list; Obsidian offers more ways to structure and connect a local knowledge base.
04Ease of use and learning curve
WorkFlowy has the more focused starting point: write a bullet, indent it, and build a hierarchy. That simplicity is useful if you want notes and tasks in one place without setting up a separate system. Its free node cap, however, means regular users may need to budget for Pro.
Obsidian starts with a local Markdown vault, then gives you links, graph view, Canvas, plugins, and themes to explore. You can ignore those extras and use it for basic notes, but the flexibility leaves more choices to make. Choose WorkFlowy if a single outliner feels natural; choose Obsidian if you want a free local vault and are comfortable shaping your own setup.
Questions people ask
Is WorkFlowy or Obsidian cheaper?
Obsidian is cheaper for personal use if local notes are enough: its personal plan is free without limits. WorkFlowy Basic is also free, but limited to 100 nodes per month and 100 MB of uploads. WorkFlowy Pro is $6.99 monthly billed annually; Obsidian Sync starts at $4 monthly billed annually.
Can I use Obsidian for free without Sync?
Yes. Obsidian’s Free plan is for personal note-taking, has no limits, and requires no sign-up. Notes are stored locally as Markdown files and remain accessible offline. Sync is an optional paid service for syncing notes across devices, with monthly and annual billing.
Does WorkFlowy have a free plan?
Yes. WorkFlowy Basic is free and includes all features, but the pricing details list a limit of 100 nodes per month and 100 MB of file uploads. WorkFlowy Pro removes those capacity limits, with unlimited nodes and uploads.
Which is better for notes and tasks?
WorkFlowy suits people who want notes and tasks organized in one nested bullet list. Obsidian is a better fit for a local Markdown vault with linked notes, graph view, Canvas, plugins, and themes. The choice depends on whether you prefer one outliner or a more configurable note system.