Can I import my Obsidian notes into Simple Notes?

Yes. Obsidian notes are plain Markdown files. You can import them into Simple Notes directly — just copy the content or use our Markdown import.

Does Simple Notes work offline like Obsidian?

Simple Notes works best with an internet connection. Offline mode is on our roadmap. Obsidian is local-first, which is great if you need full offline access.

Should I use Obsidian or Simple Notes?

If you love building a custom second-brain system with plugins and graph views, Obsidian is for you. If you want to write notes fast and access them anywhere for free, Simple Notes is the simpler choice.

Simple Notes

Obsidian alternative

The best Obsidian alternative for simple note-taking

Obsidian is powerful but complex. Simple Notes gives you fast, cross-device notes with zero setup — free.

Try Simple Notes free View pricing

Why people leave Obsidian

✕No web access — your notes are locked to your device without paid Obsidian Sync ($10/mo)
✕Syncing between devices requires Obsidian Sync, iCloud workaround, or complex setup
✕Steep learning curve — plugins, vaults, and configuration take hours to learn
✕Not beginner-friendly — overkill for everyday note-taking
✕Plugin-dependent features can break on updates

Why Simple Notes is a great Obsidian alternative

Instant web access from any device — no setup, no sync subscriptions
Free cross-device sync out of the box
Built-in version history on every note
Simpler organization with folders and tags
Up and running in under a minute

Obsidian is beloved by power users for its local-first philosophy and infinite customizability. But for most people who just want to write and find notes quickly, Obsidian's plugin ecosystem, vault setup, and sync limitations make it more tool than necessary. Simple Notes is the focused alternative: open a browser, start writing, access from any device.

Simple Notes vs Obsidian: feature comparison

Feature	Simple Notes	Obsidian
Web access
Sync cost	Free	$10/mo (Obsidian Sync)
Learning curve	None	High
Setup time	< 1 minute	Hours
Markdown support
Version history
Plugin ecosystem
Price (paid)	€2.99/mo	$8/mo (Catalyst)
Cross-device access	All browsers	Requires sync setup

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Frequently asked questions

Can I import my Obsidian notes into Simple Notes?: Yes. Obsidian notes are plain Markdown files. You can import them into Simple Notes directly — just copy the content or use our Markdown import.
Does Simple Notes work offline like Obsidian?: Simple Notes works best with an internet connection. Offline mode is on our roadmap. Obsidian is local-first, which is great if you need full offline access.
Should I use Obsidian or Simple Notes?: If you love building a custom second-brain system with plugins and graph views, Obsidian is for you. If you want to write notes fast and access them anywhere for free, Simple Notes is the simpler choice.

Want a deeper comparison?

Read our in-depth Obsidian vs Simple Notes comparison →

Compare Simple Notes with other apps:

vs Evernote vs Notion vs Simplenote vs Apple Notes vs Google Keep

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