TL;DR
Obsidian vs Apple Notes: For most Mac users in 2026, Obsidian is the better choice for Note apps because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Note apps space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Apple Notes instead if notes support is your priority.
Which is better: Obsidian or Apple Notes?
Obsidian is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Note apps — it is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Apple Notes is the stronger choice if you prefer its specific feature set. Both are worth trying.
Obsidian vs Apple Notes
Which is the better Note apps for Mac in 2026?
We compared Obsidian and Apple Notes across 6 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Read our full breakdown below.
Obsidian
Knowledge base that works on local Markdown files
Apple Notes
Built-in macOS note-taking app with iCloud sync, rich text, and collaboration features.
Visual Comparison
Obsidian
Obsidian — Official Website
Our Verdict
For most Mac users in 2026, Obsidian is the better choice for Note apps because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Note apps space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Apple Notes instead if notes support is your priority.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Obsidian | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | Roam Research ($15/month) | Bear ($3/month) |
| Best for | notes, markdown, knowledge | notes, writing, apple |
| Install | brew install --cask obsidian | brew install --cask apple-notes |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
Quick Install
brew install --cask obsidianbrew install --cask apple-notesLearn More
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
A Better Computer • 505.7K views
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
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