Joplin or Obsidian: Which program to choose? In this video,
we will explore both. So, let’s get into it.
Although both are note-taking tools, there is a huge difference. Joplin has two sides.
One is the editor, and the other is the viewing area. The app is great for writing
down your thoughts, feelings, notes, important reminders, and to-do lists.
Obsidian has only one interface where we type and view. The app is for note-taking, data gathering,
project visualization, and brainstorming ideas. Both are offline, and support the Markdown
language, so you can import and export notes between them.
Here is the true power of Obsidian that separates it from Joplin. You can
link notes with notes in both, but Obsidian shows a knowledge graph of page links.
This helps you visualize the project and proceed carefully. It also helps
highlighting any issues in the current setup or any issues that may come in the future.
You can examine each node by hovering over it and clicking on it. Although the graph looks simple,
with customizations, you can get the most out of it.
Both support adding simple and Markdown text. You can attach images and files.
Both programs can view some file formats while some are saved as attachments.
Joplin has quick text options such as headings, bold text, lists, and hyperlinks.
Both are similar in the templates as well. We don’t see any community made
or any templates by the team, but you get the option to create your
own templates. Install the plugin and save notes as templates to use in the project.
Let’s talk about plugins. Plugins are a massive part of both.
Each plugin has a GitHub repository for features and information. To install each,
we go to the app settings and find Plugins.
Obsidian has a massive library of 900 plugins. Some of those are all-rounders,
while some add one or two features, but you will find many amazing plugins.
Joplin doesn’t have this many, but it has the top ones, including Kanban, note tabs, and auto alarm.
It’s time to talk about file sync. There are multiple ways to carry your
data. Joplin supports connecting one of the cloud platforms and syncing across devices.
Obsidian asks where to save files when you create a project so you can transfer those
files using a USB or another device. It also supports cloud synchronization.
Just save those files to the cloud folder and sync whenever any new changes are available.
Both also offer premium add-ons to save your notes on their servers and enable cloud sync.
Their cloud sync is end-to-end encrypted, so no one can see or access your data.
Another questionable topic is collaboration. There aren’t any
additional systems in place. Users can transfer files using offline measures,
transfer files using cloud storage platforms, or subscribe to the premium plugins.
Before we go, let’s cover some additional features. Joplin saves a note’s history.
The default save limit is 90 days, but can be adjusted.
The program also supports creating to-do notes designed to add and complete tasks.
Obsidian, in comparison, has a Command Palette to do quick tasks. The icon is on the right sidebar
and can be opened with the CTRL+P shortcut. Many plugins are also operated through this interface.
It also has options to create daily notes for better task management.
Lastly, Canvas in Obsidian is another fantastic discovery. The endless interface lets you
create diagrams of connected properties and visualize them to understand the project.
Joplin Cloud has three plans. The Basic subscription offers
a 10 MB attachment limit, 1 GB cloud storage, and unlimited device syncing.
The Pro subscription supports a 200 MB upload limit and 10 GB of cloud
storage. The main option here is collaboration.
Obsidian free has plugins, community support, and API Access.
The Commercial plan is $50 per user per year,
supporting commercial rights. The Sync plan costs $8 per month to sync between devices.
Here is what I think is better for you. If you want a simple note-taking app, such as
for project requirements, details, a list of items, or anything else to remember later, go with
Joplin. It’s a great offline app for that stuff. Obsidian is for brainstorming and visualization.
If you have a project that you want to keep track of or want to see how it will look or how it will