Evernote’s declining free tier and rising prices have pushed many long-time users to look elsewhere. Obsidian — with its free personal plan, local-first storage, and powerful linking — has become the top destination for Evernote refugees.
But migrating years of notes isn’t trivial. Here’s how to do it without losing anything.
Why People Are Switching
Before we dive in, here’s why the move makes sense:
| Factor | Evernote | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Price (personal) | $10.83/mo (free: 50 notes max) | Free |
| Storage | Cloud-only | Local files (your computer) |
| Privacy | Stored on Evernote servers | Your files, your control |
| Format | Proprietary | Plain Markdown |
| Offline access | Limited on free | Full offline |
| Customization | Minimal | 1,500+ plugins |
For a deeper comparison, see our Obsidian vs Evernote breakdown.
Step 1: Export Your Evernote Data
Option A: Export as ENEX (Recommended)
- Open Evernote desktop app
- Select a notebook (or all notes with Ctrl/Cmd+A)
- Go to File → Export Notes
- Choose ENEX format (.enex)
- Save the file
Repeat for each notebook if you want to maintain organization.
Option B: Export as HTML
If ENEX gives you trouble, export as HTML. Obsidian’s importer handles both formats.
Important: Export from the desktop app, not the web version. The web version may not export attachments properly.
Step 2: Install Obsidian and Create a Vault
- Download Obsidian (free)
- Create a new vault — choose a folder on your computer
- Pick a location you control (e.g., Documents/ObsidianVault)
Pro tip: If you want cloud sync, place your vault in iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Obsidian Sync ($4/mo) is the official option but not required.
Step 3: Import with the Obsidian Importer Plugin
Obsidian has a first-party importer that handles Evernote conversions:
- Open Obsidian Settings → Community Plugins → Browse
- Search for “Importer” (by Obsidian team)
- Install and enable it
- Go to Settings → Importer
- Select Evernote (.enex) as the format
- Choose your exported .enex file(s)
- Click Import
The importer converts:
- Note content → Markdown files
- Tags → Obsidian tags (#tag format)
- Attachments → Saved in an attachments folder
- Creation/modification dates → Preserved in frontmatter
- Internal links → Converted where possible
Step 4: Organize Your New Vault
After import, your notes will be in Obsidian but likely need restructuring:
Folder Structure
Evernote uses notebooks and stacks. In Obsidian, you can replicate this with folders:
/Vault
/Work
/Projects
/Meeting Notes
/Personal
/Journal
/Reading Notes
/ReferenceOr go folder-light and rely on links and tags instead — that’s the Obsidian way.
Fix Tags
The importer converts Evernote tags, but check for:
- Spaces in tags (Obsidian uses
#kebab-caseor#CamelCase) - Nested tags (use
#parent/childformat)
Handle Attachments
Images and files are imported to an attachments folder. In Settings → Files & Links, set your default attachment location to keep things tidy.
Step 5: Set Up Essential Plugins
Obsidian’s power comes from plugins. Here are the must-haves for Evernote converts:
| Plugin | Replaces | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar | Evernote’s note calendar | Daily notes calendar view |
| Dataview | Evernote’s saved searches | Query your notes like a database |
| Templater | Evernote templates | Powerful note templates |
| Quick Switcher++ | Evernote search | Enhanced search and navigation |
| Periodic Notes | — | Weekly/monthly note templates |
Step 6: Rebuild Your Workflow
The biggest adjustment isn’t technical — it’s mental. Evernote is a filing cabinet (put notes in folders). Obsidian is a knowledge graph (connect notes with links).
Key mindset shifts:
- Link first, folder later — Use
[[double brackets]]to connect related notes - Daily notes — Start each day with a daily note and link to projects/topics
- Tags for status, links for relationships — Use tags like
#todoor#review, use links for “this note relates to that note” - Graph view — Check your graph periodically to find unlinked notes and clusters
Common Migration Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Garbled formatting | Re-export from Evernote desktop (not web) |
| Missing images | Check attachments folder, re-import if needed |
| Duplicate notes | Use “Find and Replace” plugin to identify duplicates |
| Broken internal links | Manually update [[links]] between related notes |
| Large vault is slow | Enable “Restricted” mode for plugins, use SSD storage |
Is Obsidian Right for You?
Obsidian is ideal if you want privacy, control, and customization. But it’s not for everyone.
Switch to Obsidian if:
- You want free, offline note-taking
- You’re comfortable with Markdown
- You value data ownership
- You like tinkering with plugins
Stay with Evernote (or switch to Notion) if:
- You need real-time collaboration
- You prefer a polished, ready-to-use UI
- You don’t want to manage plugins
- You rely heavily on web clipping
Next Steps
- Explore best Obsidian alternatives if you’re still deciding
- Read our Evernote review for a full assessment
- Check best note-taking apps for 2026 for more options
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this take?
Most users can complete this process in 15-30 minutes by following the step-by-step guide above.
Do I need any technical skills?
No advanced technical skills are required. This guide walks you through each step with clear instructions.
What tools do I need?
See the requirements section above for the complete list of tools and accounts you’ll need to get started.