Obsidian vs Tana
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
A local-first Markdown note app with backlinks, graph view and a large community plugin ecosystem, including AI plugins.
AI tool · Freemium
An outliner-based knowledge tool with supertags, AI fields and voice-to-structured-notes capture.
Our verdict
Obsidian is a local-first Markdown note app built around linked notes, backlinks, graph view and a large plugin ecosystem, with your notes kept as local files. Tana is an outliner-based tool built around supertags, fields, AI commands and voice or meeting capture, and it has a steeper learning curve. Pick based on whether you want a flexible notes app you control, or a structured tool with built-in AI capture.
Pick Obsidian if you want your notes stored as local Markdown files and prefer linking ideas together with backlinks and plugins.
Pick Tana if you like imposing structure on your notes with supertags and fields, or you want voice memos and meeting notes turned into structured notes.
| Key difference | Obsidian | Tana |
|---|---|---|
| Core approach | Local-first Markdown notes with backlinks and graph view | Outliner-based knowledge tool with supertags and fields |
| Storage | Notes are local Markdown files you keep | Cloud-based tool, available on web and mobile apps |
| AI features | Rely on third-party community plugins of varying quality | Built-in AI commands, AI fields and a meeting agent |
| Learning curve | Simpler for typical note-taking, extended by plugins | Steeper than typical note apps, rewards structure lovers |
| Platforms and integrations | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android; works with GitHub | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android; works with Google Workspace |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Obsidian if you need…
- Personal knowledge management
- Private local notes
Choose Tana if you need…
- Structured personal knowledge
- Meeting and voice notes
Side-by-side
| Obsidian | Tana | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Productivity · Notes & knowledge | Productivity · Notes & knowledge |
| Price | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Works with | GitHub | Google Workspace |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Obsidian
A local-first Markdown note app with backlinks, graph view and a large community plugin ecosystem, including AI plugins. Your notes stay yours. AI features rely on third-party plugins of varying quality.
Tana
An outliner-based knowledge tool with supertags, AI fields and voice-to-structured-notes capture. Powerful for structure lovers. Steeper learning curve than typical note apps.
Best for
Obsidian
- Personal knowledge management
- Private local notes
Tana
- Structured personal knowledge
- Meeting and voice notes
Strengths
Obsidian
- Local Markdown files
- Backlinks and graph
- Community plugins
- Optional sync and publish
Tana
- Supertags and fields
- AI commands
- Voice memos to notes
- Meeting agent
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Obsidian or Tana?
Obsidian is a local-first Markdown note app built around linked notes, backlinks, graph view and a large plugin ecosystem, with your notes kept as local files. Tana is an outliner-based tool built around supertags, fields, AI commands and voice or meeting capture, and it has a steeper learning curve. Pick based on whether you want a flexible notes app you control, or a structured tool with built-in AI capture. Pick Obsidian if you want your notes stored as local Markdown files and prefer linking ideas together with backlinks and plugins. Pick Tana if you like imposing structure on your notes with supertags and fields, or you want voice memos and meeting notes turned into structured notes.
What is the difference between Obsidian and Tana?
Obsidian: A local-first Markdown note app with backlinks, graph view and a large community plugin ecosystem, including AI plugins. Tana: An outliner-based knowledge tool with supertags, AI fields and voice-to-structured-notes capture. Obsidian suits personal knowledge management, while Tana suits structured personal knowledge.
Are Obsidian and Tana free?
Obsidian: Freemium. Tana: Freemium.
What are other alternatives to Obsidian and Tana?
Other options people compare them with include Mem.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.