Notion vs Obsidian: which does AI recommend?
· ChatGPT and Google AI Mode
Based on every AI answer that names both
Reviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky
When AI names both, it lists Notion first more often than not. It recommends both about as often, and warns against Obsidian more.
Listed first when AI names both
NotionNotion: 64% (Notion leads)ObsidianObsidian: 36%
Recommended when named
NotionNotion: 81%
ObsidianObsidian: 79%
Warned against · lower is better
NotionNotion: <1% (Notion leads)
ObsidianObsidian: 5%
Topic by topic
Mentioned in, as a share of each topic’s answers
Notion named more9About even3Obsidian named more7
Notion named more
- Internal wiki softwareFar ahead
- Unified project and document workspaceFar ahead
- Academic course website management software for professorsFar ahead
- Web-based journaling apps for desktop usersClearly ahead
- Meeting transcription and summarizationAhead
- Self-hosted whiteboard accessSlightly ahead
Obsidian named more
- Markdown note-taking app with bi-directional linkingFar ahead
- Plain-text Markdown note appsFar ahead
- Visual mind mappingFar ahead
- Collaborative markdown document editorClearly ahead
- Rich media journalingClearly ahead
- Privacy-focused accountless to-do appAhead
About even3
Only Notion is ranked in12
- Automated decision capture
- Centralized company resource storage
- Collaboration tool with tasks and wikis
- Competitive analysis matrix tools
- Enterprise internal knowledge base
- Executive meeting preparation
- Meeting agenda and action item tracking
- Mixed-skill team collaboration
- Online planner
- Online project collaboration platforms
- Reusable content library for proposal writing
- Team performance and strategy platforms
Only Obsidian is ranked in7
- Offline-first local journaling apps
- Offline subscription-free to-do app
- Proofreading software for confidential documents
- Genealogy software for professional genealogists
- Offline collaborative design tools without subscriptions
- Handwriting note app with no subscription sync
- Simple task management without subscription
What people ask AI about Notion and Obsidian
- What is the best note-taking app?Notion often first
- I want to build a "second brain" to organize my thoughts and ideas. What's a simple tool for that?Leans Obsidian
- What is the best note-taking app for a Management Consultant who needs to organize notes from many different client meetings?Notion almost always first
- I'm looking for a note-taking app that supports code blocks, markdown, and syncs flawlessly across all devices.Obsidian almost always first
- What are the best companies for organizing information?Notion almost always first
- Which AI second-brain app is best for searching everything I've saved?Notion often first
- We use a wiki. Who offers a semantic link suggester to connect related documents?Obsidian often first
- best note taking apps for small businessesNotion almost always first
Who AI mentions first
- JunNotion listed first: 67%Obsidian listed first: 33%
- JulNotion listed first: 63%Obsidian listed first: 38%
- AugNotion listed first: 57%Obsidian listed first: 43%
- SepNotion listed first: 63%Obsidian listed first: 37%
- Oct, so farNotion listed first: 79%Obsidian listed first: 21%
- ChatGPTNotion listed first: 58%Obsidian listed first: 42%
- Google AI ModeNotion listed first: 64%Obsidian listed first: 36%
Sources cited in the comparisons
How would your brand compare?
Find out where you stand in AI answers—and who you’re up against.
