Obsidian
Trello
| Feature | Obsidian | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $4/mo | Free / from $5/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | researchers, writers, developers, knowledge-workers | small-teams, individuals, beginners, simple-projects |
| Founded | 2020 | 2011 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✗ |
| Backlinks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Graph View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugins | ✓ | ✗ |
| Themes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Canvas | ✓ | ✗ |
| Kanban | ✗ | ✓ |
| Calendar | ✗ | ✓ |
| Power Ups | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Trello Pros
- Dead simple to use
- Great free plan
- Power-Ups ecosystem
- Mobile friendly
✗ Trello Cons
- Limited views
- Not great for complex projects
- Basic reporting
The Verdict
Obsidian is best for researchers and writers who need 100% offline. Trello is ideal for small-teams and individuals looking for dead simple to use. Both tools offer free plans, so try each to see which fits your workflow.