Compare Obsidian vs. Scrivener

Obsidian serves as a robust knowledge management tool that operates using a directory of plain text Markdown files stored locally. Much like the way our minds shift from one concept to another, your second brain should mimic this non-linear pattern. In Obsidian, the process of creating and navigating "connections" between notes is seamless and intuitive. Cultivate your notes with care, and at the end of your day, take a moment to appreciate the intricate web of knowledge you've created. Personalization in note-taking is key, and if you've experimented with various applications but always felt something was amiss, Obsidian offers a refreshing alternative. Designed to be highly customizable, it features 22 essential plugins and 149 additional community-created plugins, allowing you to tailor your toolkit and get started in just a few minutes. Furthermore, when Obsidian reaches version 1.0, you'll have the option to integrate third-party plugins or even create your own, opening up endless possibilities. In today's landscape, where cloud services are vulnerable to sudden changes or shutdowns, relying on proprietary formats and facing potential data lock-in is the last thing you need. With Obsidian, your information remains securely within a local folder, giving you peace of mind and complete control over your data. This ensures that your knowledge remains accessible and safe, no matter what the future holds.

Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. With Scrivener, all the essential tools for crafting your first draft are at your fingertips, guiding you from the initial concept to the final punctuation. This powerful application serves as a favorite among writers across various domains, including best-selling authors, screenwriters, and researchers, as well as students, lawyers, journalists, and translators who utilize it daily. Rather than dictating your writing style, Scrivener equips you with everything necessary to begin and sustain your writing journey. Designed specifically for extensive writing endeavors, it alleviates the anxiety of a blank page by allowing you to organize your text in any sequence, whether in extensive sections or bite-sized pieces. Have an inspiring thought but unsure of its placement? You can jot it down whenever creativity strikes and determine its position later. Develop your manuscript organically, building it idea by idea, and whether you prefer a meticulous approach or an exploratory one, Scrivener adapts to your process: you can outline every detail before writing a single word or draft freely and adjust your structure afterward. Alternatively, you can blend these approaches to find what works best for you, ensuring that your writing experience is as fluid and adaptable as your imagination.