Trilium Notes vs Obsidian
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs
T
Trilium Notes
Powerful self-hosted hierarchical knowledge base
4.5
Editorial RatingQuick Comparison
Rating
4.5
vs4.7
Starting Price
Free
vsFree
Pricing Model
free
vsfreemium
Feature
Trilium Notes
Obsidian
Hierarchical notes
Rich text editor
Note relations and maps
Full-text search
Web clipper
Encrypted notes
Local Markdown files
Bidirectional linking
Graph view
Plugin ecosystem
Canvas
Full offline support
Trilium Notes Pros
- Powerful hierarchical organization
- Relation maps for knowledge graphing
- Desktop and server modes
- Code block syntax highlighting
- Excellent search
- Web clipper for research
Trilium Notes Cons
- UI looks dated compared to modern note apps
- Mobile experience via browser is limited
- Single developer project
- Learning curve for power features
- No native mobile app
Obsidian Pros
- Blazing fast search with keyword combinations
- True data ownership - plain markdown files stored locally
- Massive plugin ecosystem for any workflow
- Canvas feature for visual mind mapping
- Works perfectly offline
- Free for personal use
- Highly extensible and customizable
Obsidian Cons
- Steep learning curve and initial setup investment
- Plugin overload can be overwhelming for new users
- Mobile experience less refined than desktop
- Sync service adds cost unless using third-party solutions
- Not designed for team collaboration
- Requires technical comfort to unlock full potential