Obsidian
(Technically superior) note taking.
What I like about it
Obsidian is a cross-platform note-taking software that works with Markdown format, enabling a high degree of customisation and catering particularly well to developers with its native support for external plugins. It is completely free for personal use — although you can choose to pay $4/month for a premium account that offers file sync, there’s no obligation to do so. In fact, you can use any folder on your device, including those in cloud storage services like Google Drive. One of Obsidian's standout features is its Canvases, where you can connect existing notes with images and other blocks, offering a flexible way to organise and visually map ideas. Another powerful tool is the Graph view, which provides a visual representation of how various notes interconnect, offering a unique approach to navigating and exploring your content. I've found Obsidian’s user experience to be consistent across devices, including iOS, which is no small feat. This consistency has left a strong impression on me.
What I don't like about it
While the UI is simple and supports customisation through themes, I don’t feel it quite reaches the aesthetic level of apps like Bear Notes. However, in fairness, Obsidian is a different tool and prioritises functionality over design. As a foldable phone user, I’ve also noticed some areas where the experience could be refined; the layout mirrors that of a smartphone, and a few UI elements appear broken. These issues are minor, but there’s always room for improvement!
Obsidian is an alternative to
- Evernote
- Bear Notes