Memos
Obsidian
| Feature | Memos | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $0/mo | Free / from $4/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Best For | self-hosters, quick-note-takers, journaling, privacy-focused-users | researchers, writers, developers, knowledge-workers |
| Founded | 2022 | 2020 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✓ | ✗ |
| Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker Deployment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embed Resources | ✓ | ✗ |
| Timeline View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Backlinks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Graph View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plugins | ✗ | ✓ |
| Themes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Canvas | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Memos Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightweight and fast (single binary deployment)
- Twitter-like quick note interface
- Full data ownership with self-hosting
✗ Memos Cons
- No real-time collaboration features
- Limited organizational tools (no folders/hierarchy)
- Self-hosting required (no managed cloud option)
✓ Obsidian Pros
- 100% offline
- Local-first
- Plugin ecosystem
- Graph view
- Free for personal use
✗ Obsidian Cons
- No real-time collaboration
- Steep learning curve
- Mobile app is basic
The Verdict
Memos is built for self hosters and quick note takers, with a focus on markdown and tags. Obsidian targets researchers and writers and leads with markdown and backlinks.
Pricing is close: Memos starts at $0/mo versus $4/mo for Obsidian — not a deciding factor on its own.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, Memos offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Obsidian takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Obsidian has a slight overall edge — but if completely free and open-source matters most to you, Memos may still be the right call.
