Obsidian vs Roam Research
Which one should you choose? Here's how they compare.
| Feature | Obsidian | Roam Research |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.2 |
| Pricing | Free / $50/year sync | $15/mo |
| Type | free | paid |
| Company | Dynalist | Roam Research |
| Founded | 2020 | 2017 |
Obsidian Features
- •Markdown
- •Bidirectional links
- •Graph view
- •Plugins
Roam Research Features
- •Bi-directional links
- •Graph view
- •Daily notes
- •Queries
Obsidian Pros
- ✓Free for personal
- ✓Very flexible
- ✓Local files
Obsidian Cons
- ✗Learning curve
- ✗Sync costs
- ✗No collaboration free
Roam Research Pros
- ✓Pioneered networked notes
- ✓Great for research
- ✓Flexible
Roam Research Cons
- ✗Expensive
- ✗Learning curve
- ✗No mobile app
The Verdict
Both Obsidian and Roam Research are solid choices in the productivityspace. Here's a quick summary:
Choose Obsidian if:
- • You need free for personal
- • You need very flexible
Choose Roam Research if:
- • You need pioneered networked notes
- • You need great for research