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Logseq vs Obsidian
Which is the better note-taking for Mac in 2026?
We compared Logseq and Obsidian across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. For most users in 2026, Logseq is the better choice because it's open source. Read our full breakdown below.
Logseq
Privacy-first knowledge base
FreeOpen Source
VS
Obsidian
Knowledge base that works on local Markdown files
Free
Visual Comparison
Logseq
Logseq — Official Website
Obsidian
Obsidian — Official Website
Our Verdict
For most users in 2026, Logseq is the better choice because it's open source. However, Obsidian remains a solid option for users who prefer its unique features.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Logseq | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Monthly Installs | N/A | N/A |
| GitHub Stars | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
Quick Install
Logseq
brew install --cask logseqObsidian
brew install --cask obsidianLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Logseq?
Logseq is an open-source, privacy-first knowledge management application that takes a fundamentally different approach to note-taking by making the outliner its primary interaction paradigm. Unlike document-based tools where you create discrete notes or pages, Logseq treats everything as nested bullet points in a hierarchical outline — every thought, every reference, every piece of information is a block that can be linked, embedded, and queried independently. This block-level granularity means you can reference and transclude individual bullet points across your entire knowledge base, creating a web of interconnected ideas at a much finer level than page-based tools typically allow. Originally inspired by Roam Research, Logseq has evolved into a mature, fully open-source alternative that stores all data as plain-text Markdown or Org-mode files on your local filesystem. The application emphasizes daily journals as the default entry point — when you open Logseq, you land on today's journal page and start writing, which removes the friction of deciding where to put new information. This journal-first workflow naturally creates a chronological record that can be structured and connected through links, tags, and queries over time. Logseq supports bidirectional linking with [[wiki-style]] syntax, an interactive graph view, powerful query language for creating dynamic views of your data, built-in spaced repetition flashcards for learning, PDF annotation, and Zotero integration for academic research. As a fully open-source project licensed under AGPL-3.0, Logseq provides complete transparency into its codebase, and its plugin ecosystem has grown to include hundreds of community extensions. In 2026, Logseq has transitioned to a new database-backed storage engine for improved performance, while maintaining the option for file-based storage. The app is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, with a growing team and active development community driving continuous improvements. In addition to its core outlining capabilities, Logseq has built a growing plugin ecosystem with hundreds of community extensions that add features like advanced theme customization, enhanced graph visualization with force-directed layouts, Zotero integration for academic citation management, and custom query builders that simplify the creation of dynamic views. The application's approach to data storage — using plain Markdown or Org-mode files — means that your notes remain accessible and portable even without Logseq installed, though the block-level linking metadata is stored in a way that is best interpreted by the application itself.
What is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a powerhouse knowledge management application built on a foundation of local, plain-text Markdown files that has become the de facto standard for personal knowledge management since its launch in 2020. Created by the team behind Dynalist (Shida Li and Erica Xu), Obsidian was born from the insight that the future of note-taking lies in connecting ideas rather than merely storing them. The application's core architecture is elegantly simple — your notes are regular .md files in a folder on your computer, which you can read, edit, and manage with any text editor or file manager. This local-first approach ensures complete data ownership and zero vendor lock-in. Obsidian's true power emerges through its linking and extension capabilities. Bidirectional links using [[wikilink]] syntax create an interconnected knowledge graph, while the visual Graph View reveals the topology of your thinking as an interactive network diagram. Block references and transclusions allow you to embed specific paragraphs from one note into another, creating modular, reusable content blocks. The plugin ecosystem is Obsidian's most significant competitive advantage, with over 1,800 community plugins that transform the base application into virtually anything — a task manager with the Tasks plugin, a Zettelkasten system with Templater and Dataview, a visual whiteboard with Excalidraw, a spaced repetition flashcard system with the SR plugin, or even a full CMS with the Digital Garden plugin. Each vault can be configured independently, allowing users to maintain separate knowledge bases with different plugins, themes, and settings. Obsidian supports advanced features including multi-cursor editing, Vim keybindings, CSS customization via snippets, YAML frontmatter for metadata, mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, and callout blocks. The Canvas feature provides an infinite spatial workspace for arranging notes, images, and cards visually. Obsidian's paid services — Sync ($4/month with end-to-end encryption) and Publish ($8/month for hosting notes as websites) — are entirely optional, as the core application is free for personal use. Available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, Obsidian has built one of the most vibrant productivity communities on the internet, with active forums, Discord servers, YouTube channels, and annual community events.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Content Structure (Outliner vs Document)
CriticalLogseqExcellent
Logseq's outliner model means every piece of content is a block (bullet point) that can be collapsed, expanded, indented, referenced, and embedded independently. This creates incredibly granular knowledge management where any single thought can be pulled into any context. It mirrors how many people actually think — in fragments rather than essays.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian uses traditional freeform documents. You can write in any format — prose, lists, tables, code blocks — without being constrained to bullet points. This flexibility is better for long-form content but means individual ideas within a document are harder to reference granularly without using block IDs (which feel bolted on).
Verdict: Logseq wins for users who think in atomic ideas; Obsidian wins for users who think in documents. The outliner paradigm is genuinely more powerful for granular knowledge work.
Plugin Ecosystem
CriticalLogseqFair
Logseq has approximately 200 community plugins. The marketplace is functional but significantly smaller than Obsidian's. Key plugins exist for themes, export, and workflow enhancements, but many niche use cases require workarounds or custom solutions.
ObsidianExcellent
Obsidian's ecosystem of 1,800+ plugins is the largest in the knowledge management space. Almost any workflow need — from spaced repetition to academic citation management to habit tracking — has a dedicated, well-maintained plugin. The API is well-documented, attracting a steady stream of developer contributions.
Verdict: Obsidian wins decisively with 9x more plugins and a more active developer community.
Daily Journal Workflow
HighLogseqExcellent
Logseq opens directly to today's journal page — it is the default landing experience. Every day gets a new page automatically, and you simply start writing blocks. This journal-centric design makes daily capture effortless and is deeply integrated into the core workflow. Past journal entries are easily queried and referenced.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian supports daily notes through a core plugin, but it requires configuration and is not the default experience. The Daily Notes and Periodic Notes community plugins add more functionality, but the journal workflow never feels as native as Logseq's built-in approach.
Verdict: Logseq's journal-first design makes daily note-taking seamless and instinctive in a way Obsidian's plugin-based approach cannot match.
Performance and Speed
HighLogseqFair
Logseq has historically struggled with performance on larger knowledge bases. The file-parsing approach can slow down with thousands of pages. The database version (in development) promises significant improvements but is not yet the default experience. Search and graph rendering can feel sluggish with very large graphs.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian handles large vaults (10,000+ notes) better than Logseq, with faster search indexing and smoother graph rendering. While it uses Electron, the team has optimized aggressively. Startup time and general responsiveness are noticeably better than Logseq for most users.
Verdict: Obsidian is more performant, especially with large knowledge bases. Logseq's database version may close this gap but hasn't shipped as default yet.
Query System
HighLogseqExcellent
Logseq has a built-in query system using both simple queries (e.g., {{query #tag}}) and advanced Datalog queries for complex filtering. Because every block has metadata (page, tags, properties), queries can be extremely precise. This is a core feature, not a plugin.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian's native search is powerful but lacks Logseq's query capabilities. The Dataview plugin adds SQL-like querying, and it's extremely popular, but it's a third-party addition. Without Dataview, Obsidian's query capabilities are limited to search operators.
Verdict: Logseq's built-in query engine is more powerful and does not require third-party plugins.
Open Source and Transparency
MediumLogseqExcellent
Logseq is fully open-source under the AGPLv3 license. The entire codebase is available on GitHub, and anyone can inspect, modify, or self-host it. This provides maximum transparency and ensures the tool can outlive any company.
ObsidianFair
Obsidian is closed-source proprietary software. While it stores data in open formats (plain Markdown), the application itself cannot be inspected or modified. The company has been responsive to community needs, but users must trust the developers rather than verify the code.
Verdict: Logseq wins for users who value open-source principles and code transparency.
Spaced Repetition / Flashcards
MediumLogseqExcellent
Logseq has built-in spaced repetition flashcards. You can turn any block into a flashcard with a simple markup, and the system schedules reviews using SM-2 algorithm. This is tightly integrated into the note-taking workflow — no export to Anki needed.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian requires the Spaced Repetition community plugin for flashcard functionality. While functional, it's not as seamlessly integrated as Logseq's native implementation. Some users export to Anki via plugins instead.
Verdict: Logseq's built-in flashcards are a standout feature for students and lifelong learners.
Visual Polish and UI Design
MediumLogseqFair
Logseq's interface is functional but less polished than Obsidian's. The UI can feel cluttered, especially for new users. Custom themes improve aesthetics significantly, but the default experience lacks the visual refinement of competitors.
ObsidianGood
Obsidian's default theme is cleaner and more modern, with better typography and spacing. The extensive theme ecosystem (200+ themes) means users can achieve virtually any aesthetic. The overall UI feels more professional and considered.
Verdict: Obsidian offers a more polished visual experience out of the box and through its theme ecosystem.
Who Should Choose Which?
1The Daily Journaler
Logseq
Logseq's journal-first design is purpose-built for daily capture. Opening the app and immediately writing thoughts as blocks, then linking them to projects and topics, creates an effortless daily practice. The built-in queries let you pull journal entries by date range, topic, or tag.
2The Academic Researcher
Obsidian
While both tools support research workflows, Obsidian's larger plugin ecosystem provides better integration with citation managers (Zotero), PDF annotation tools, and academic writing workflows. The document-based approach also suits writing papers and thesis chapters.
3The Privacy Advocate
Logseq
Logseq's open-source codebase provides full transparency about how your data is handled. You can audit the source code, self-host, and be certain there are no telemetry surprises. While Obsidian stores data locally, the app itself is closed-source.
4The Productivity System Builder
Obsidian
Obsidian's massive plugin ecosystem allows you to build complex productivity systems combining tasks, calendars, habit tracking, and project management. The flexibility to customize every aspect of the interface and workflow is unmatched.
5The Student
Logseq
Logseq's built-in spaced repetition flashcards make it an excellent study tool. Take lecture notes as blocks, convert key concepts to flashcards, and review them on a scientifically optimized schedule — all within the same app.
6The Creative Writer
Obsidian
Obsidian's freeform documents are better suited for creative writing, worldbuilding, and long-form content. The outliner format in Logseq can feel constraining for narrative work.
Migration Guide
Logseq → Obsidian
Since both apps use Markdown files, the basic migration is straightforward — point Obsidian at your Logseq pages folder. However, Logseq's block-level references ((block-ref)) and query syntax will not render in Obsidian. You'll need to convert these manually or use community migration scripts. Logseq's properties (key:: value) differ from Obsidian's YAML frontmatter format. The Logseq-to-Obsidian migration plugin can automate much of this conversion.
Obsidian → Logseq
Open your Obsidian vault folder in Logseq as a new graph. Standard Markdown will render, but Obsidian-specific syntax like Dataview queries, callouts, and some plugin-specific markup will not work. YAML frontmatter will be converted to Logseq properties. The biggest adjustment is shifting from document-based thinking to block-based thinking — your long-form notes will appear as a single block unless you restructure them.
Pro Tips
Both apps can open the same folder of Markdown files simultaneously (though this is not officially recommended). Consider running both in parallel for two weeks to determine which paradigm — outliner or document — suits your thinking style before committing to one.
Final Verdict
Overall Winner
Obsidian
9.2/10
Winner
8.5/10
Runner-up
Obsidian wins for most users due to its vastly larger plugin ecosystem, superior performance, more polished UI, and broader community. However, Logseq is not simply a lesser tool — its outliner-first paradigm, built-in flashcards, daily journal workflow, and open-source nature make it genuinely superior for specific use cases. If you think in outlines and value open-source principles, Logseq may be your perfect tool. If you want maximum flexibility and a thriving ecosystem, Obsidian is the safer bet.
Bottom Line: Choose Obsidian for maximum extensibility and a document-based writing experience. Choose Logseq for outliner-based thinking, built-in flashcards, and open-source transparency.
Video Tutorials
Give Me 15 Minutes. I'll Teach You 80% of Obsidian
Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo • 384.6K views
The least scary Obsidian guide you’ll ever see
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Obsidian: The ultimate note-taking app!! ✨#obsidian #notetaking #secondbrain
The Organized Notebook • 198.5K views
Obsidian for Beginners: Start HERE — How to Use the Obsidian App for Notes
Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo • 2.2M views
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Logseq is fully open-source under the AGPLv3 license. The complete source code is available on GitHub, and anyone can inspect, modify, fork, or self-host it. This is a significant differentiator from Obsidian, which is proprietary closed-source software.
About the Author
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Related Technologies & Concepts
MarkdownOrg-modeDatalogDataviewZettelkastenElectronAGPLv3DynalistSpaced Repetition
Markdown (The plain-text format both apps use for storing notes.), Org-mode (An alternative file format supported by Logseq.), Datalog (The query language used by Logseq's advanced query system.), Dataview (Obsidian's popular plugin for SQL-like note queries.), Zettelkasten (The linked-note methodology both tools support.), Electron (The framework both apps are built on.), AGPLv3 (Logseq's open-source license.), Dynalist (The company that develops Obsidian.), Spaced Repetition (Built into Logseq; available via plugin in Obsidian.)
Related Topics
Knowledge Management Tools
Applications for building interconnected personal knowledge bases.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- Logseq is open-source under the AGPLv3 license.[cite-logseq-github]
- Obsidian has over 1,800 community plugins.[cite-obsidian-plugins]
- Logseq has approximately 200 community plugins.[cite-logseq-marketplace]
- 1Logseq - A privacy-first, open-source knowledge base
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2Logseq GitHub Repository
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3Logseq Plugin Marketplace
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5Obsidian Community Plugins
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: Logseq vs Obsidian 2026 comparison; Logseq open source license; Logseq database version progress