I’ve used all three. Here’s what actually matters.
If you’re choosing between Notion, Obsidian, and Logseq, you’re already doing better than 90% of people who just open Apple Notes and call it a day. But these tools are fundamentally different, and picking the wrong one will cost you time and frustration.
Let’s cut through the noise.
The One-Sentence Verdict First
Notion is for teams and people who want databases. Obsidian is for people who want to own their notes and build a knowledge system. Logseq is for people who think in outlines and want networked thought without the complexity.
Now let’s break down why.
Pricing: What You’ll Actually Pay
Notion
- Free: Unlimited pages, 10MB uploads, basic features
- Plus: $10/month (2GB uploads, unlimited guests)
- Business: $15/month (advanced permissions, analytics)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
The free tier is generous. Most individuals won’t need to upgrade unless you’re uploading large files constantly.
Obsidian
- Free: Full local features, unlimited vaults
- Sync: $10/month (end-to-end encrypted cloud sync)
- Publish: $20/month (public website hosting)
The core app is completely free. You only pay if you want their sync service or public publishing. You can use iCloud, Dropbox, or Git for free sync if you’re comfortable with that.
Logseq
- Free: Everything, including sync (up to 4GB)
- Pro: $5/month (10GB storage, priority support)
Logseq wins on price. Full-featured, open-source, with free sync that actually works.
Winner: Logseq for value, Obsidian if you want total control without paying for sync.
Data Ownership: Who Really Owns Your Notes?
This is where things get real.
Notion
Your data lives on Notion’s servers. You can export to Markdown, but it’s clunky and loses formatting. You’re betting on Notion staying in business and not raising prices or changing features you rely on.
If Notion goes down, you’re locked out. If they change their terms, you adapt or migrate. That’s the trade-off for convenience.
Obsidian
Your notes are plain text Markdown files on your computer. Period. Obsidian is just a fancy editor. If Obsidian disappeared tomorrow, your notes would still exist and open in any text editor.
This is not theoretical. I can grep my Obsidian vault, back it up to Git, sync it however I want, and script anything I need. You own the data completely.
Logseq
Same as Obsidian—local-first, plain Markdown (with some extra metadata for outlines). Your files, your control. The sync service is optional.
Winner: Obsidian and Logseq tie. Notion isn’t even in the race here.
How They Actually Work: The Mental Model
Notion: Database-First
Notion is built around databases. Everything is a block, and you can turn any collection of pages into a database with properties, filters, and views.
This is incredible for:
- Project management
- Content calendars
- Team wikis
- CRMs
- Anything with structured metadata
But it’s overkill for personal notes, and the interface can feel sluggish compared to native apps.
Obsidian: File-First
Obsidian is a local knowledge base. You write in Markdown, link notes together with [[wikilinks]], and build a web of connected ideas. The graph view shows how everything connects.
This is perfect for:
- Personal knowledge management (PKM)
- Research and writing
- Zettelkasten-style note systems
- Long-form thinking
It’s not great for task management or team collaboration out of the box. You’ll need plugins or external tools.
Logseq: Outline-First
Logseq treats everything as an outliner. Every page is a nested bullet list by default. Bullets can link to other bullets. It’s like Roam Research but open-source and free.
This works best for:
- Daily journaling
- Task management (with TODO blocks)
- Rapid capture and linking
- People who think in bullets naturally
If you hate outlines or prefer long-form prose, Logseq will feel constraining.
Winner: Depends entirely on how your brain works. Notion if you manage projects, Obsidian if you write, Logseq if you outline.
Features: What You Can Actually Do
Notion
- Databases: The killer feature. Tables, boards, timelines, galleries—all dynamic views of the same data.
- Collaboration: Real-time editing, comments, mentions. Built for teams.
- Embeds: YouTube, PDFs, code blocks, third-party integrations.
- Templates: Massive community library.
- AI: Built-in AI writing assistant (extra cost).
Missing: Offline mode is limited. No true local storage. Graph view is weak.
Obsidian
- Bidirectional links: Connect notes naturally with
[[links]]. - Graph view: Visualize your knowledge network.
- Plugins: 1,000+ community plugins. Dataview, Templater, Kanban, calendar integration—you name it.
- Customization: CSS themes, hotkeys, scripts. Total control.
- Canvas: Visual whiteboards for planning.
Missing: No native collaboration. Sync costs extra. Steeper learning curve.
Logseq
- Outliner: Fast, keyboard-driven bullet editing.
- Block references: Link to specific bullets, not just pages.
- Queries: Search and filter notes with datalog queries.
- Plugins: Growing ecosystem, not as mature as Obsidian.
- Whiteboard: Visual canvas mode like Obsidian.
Missing: No database views like Notion. Outline structure can feel limiting for long prose.
Winner: Notion for collaboration and structured data, Obsidian for extensibility and power users, Logseq for speed and simplicity.
The Real Pros and Cons
Notion
Pros:
- Best-in-class databases
- Great for teams
- Beautiful templates
- All-in-one workspace (docs, tasks, wikis)
Cons:
- Vendor lock-in
- Slower than native apps
- Expensive for teams at scale
- Limited offline functionality
Obsidian
Pros:
- You own your data
- Blazing fast
- Infinitely customizable
- No subscription required
Cons:
- Plugins can be overwhelming
- No built-in collaboration
- Sync costs $10/month (or DIY)
- Steeper learning curve
Logseq
Pros:
- Free sync included
- Open-source
- Fast outlining workflow
- Block-level linking is powerful
Cons:
- Outline structure isn’t for everyone
- Smaller plugin ecosystem
- Less polished than Obsidian or Notion
- Not great for long-form writing
Who Should Use What?
Choose Notion if:
- You work on a team and need collaboration
- You manage projects with structured data (tasks, properties, timelines)
- You want an all-in-one workspace without fiddling with plugins
- You’re okay with cloud dependency
Choose Obsidian if:
- You want total ownership of your notes
- You’re building a long-term knowledge system
- You like tinkering and customizing your tools
- You write long-form and want a fast, distraction-free editor
Choose Logseq if:
- You think in outlines and bullets
- You want networked notes without complexity
- You like free, open-source software
- You need basic task management built-in
My Verdict
I use Obsidian for personal knowledge and writing. I use Notion for collaborative projects when a team needs it.
I don’t use Logseq regularly, but if I were starting fresh and wanted something simpler than Obsidian without Notion’s lock-in, I’d seriously consider it.
For most individuals: Start with Obsidian. It’s free, you own your data, and it scales with you. Add plugins as you need them.
For teams: Notion. Nothing else comes close for structured collaboration.
For journalers and task managers: Logseq. The daily note workflow is unmatched.
Migration: What If You Pick Wrong?
All three export to Markdown (though Notion’s export is messier). Moving from Notion to Obsidian or Logseq takes work but is doable. Moving between Obsidian and Logseq is trivial since both use local Markdown.
Moving to Notion is harder because you lose the file-based structure. Once you’re in Notion, you’re committed.
Notion → Obsidian/Logseq
Notion’s Markdown export works, but you’ll lose:
- Database properties and relations
- Embedded blocks
- Some formatting nuances
You’ll need to spend time cleaning up the export. Tools like notion-to-obsidian converters exist but aren’t perfect. Budget a weekend to migrate a large vault.
Obsidian ↔ Logseq
Both use local Markdown with wikilinks. You can literally point both apps at the same folder and switch between them. The main friction is syntax differences (Logseq uses outliner metadata that looks odd in Obsidian).
Logseq/Obsidian → Notion
Technically possible but painful. You lose the file-based workflow and need to recreate structure manually in Notion’s database system. Not recommended unless you’re joining a team that requires it.
Performance and Speed
This matters more than people admit.
Notion can feel sluggish, especially with large databases or slow internet. Loading a complex page sometimes takes 2-3 seconds. For quick capture, that’s frustrating.
Obsidian is instant. It’s a native app reading local files. Open time is under a second even with thousands of notes. Graph rendering can slow down on massive vaults (10,000+ notes) but daily use is snappy.
Logseq is also fast but slightly heavier than Obsidian due to its indexing system. Still far faster than Notion. Startup time increases with vault size but daily editing is smooth.
Winner: Obsidian for raw speed, Logseq close behind, Notion lagging noticeably.
Mobile Experience
Notion: Solid mobile apps (iOS/Android). Editing works well, though complex databases are harder to navigate on small screens.
Obsidian: Mobile apps are good but sync requires the $10/month subscription (or setting up third-party sync). The mobile editor is fast and clean.
Logseq: Mobile apps exist but feel less polished than Obsidian or Notion. Syncing works with the free tier, which is a plus. Outliner editing on mobile takes getting used to.
Winner: Notion for mobile-first workflows, Obsidian if you’re paying for sync.
Final Thoughts
These tools solve different problems. Notion is a team workspace. Obsidian is a personal knowledge vault. Logseq is a networked outliner.
Pick based on how you think, not hype. Try all three for a week. The right one will feel obvious.
For me, data ownership wins. I’ve been burned by cloud services changing terms or shutting down. My notes will outlive any app if they’re plain text files on my drive.
But if you’re running a content team or managing projects with multiple people, Notion’s databases are irreplaceable.
There’s no wrong answer—just the wrong tool for your workflow.
Further Reading
If you’re serious about building a knowledge management system, these books are worth your time:
- How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens — The definitive guide to the Zettelkasten method (pairs perfectly with Obsidian or Logseq).
- Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte — Practical framework for capturing and organizing digital information (works with any tool).
Bottom line:
- Best for teams: Notion
- Best for knowledge workers: Obsidian
- Best for journalers: Logseq
- Best value: Logseq (free sync included)
- Best long-term bet: Obsidian (you own the files)
Choose wisely. Your notes are worth it.