Side-by-side comparison of two listed Productivity tools — real listing data only, no paid placement.
On record, they differ in: platforms (Obsidian 7 official install links found vs Workflowy 5 — store/installer links only); unique tags (Obsidian 3: #notes #markdown #knowledge-graph vs Workflowy 5: #note-taking #organization #bullet-list +2 more); category rank (Obsidian #19 vs Workflowy #28). Same pricing model (Freemium) and category (Productivity). Listing facts only — not a recommendation.
Private, local-first notes connected into a knowledge graph
Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device and links them into a personal knowledge graph, visualized and extensible with thousands of community plugins. Free for personal use, with optional paid sync.
Published 2026-08-06 · Links checked 2026-09-14
A simpler way to organize your work
Workflowy is a note-taking and organization tool that uses a single bullet list to help users structure their thoughts, tasks, and documents. It offers a free forever plan with basic features, and a Pro plan with unlimited nodes and uploads for $6.99 per month billed annually. The app syncs across web, desktop, and mobile devices, and has been trusted by thinkers for over 14 years.
Published 2026-08-13 · Links checked 2026-09-09
| Obsidian | Workflowy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Rank in Productivity | Position #19 of 77 | Position #28 of 77 |
| Alternatives listed | 12 → | 11 → |
| Shared tags | none | |
| Unique tags | #notes #markdown #knowledge-graph | #note-taking #organization #bullet-list #sync #productivity |
| Platforms | iOS · Android · macOS · Windows · Linux · Chrome extension · Firefox add-on | iOS · Android · macOS · Windows · Linux |
| Pricing page | Official pricing page | Workflowy Pricing |
| Free trial | Not detected on official site (checked 2026-09-16) | Mentioned on the official pricing page |
| Documentation | docs.obsidian.md/ | Not detected on official site (checked 2026-09-16) |
| In their own words | The free and flexible app for your private thoughts.— official site (homepage description), checked | If you have a crazy job or an ambitious project, we will be your trusty sidekick. Workflowy is a simpler way to stay organized.— official site (homepage description), checked |
| Official channels | GitHubThreadsBlueskyMastodondeclared on obsidian.md via homepage link with a matching handle / rel=me | X (Twitter)LinkedInYouTubeRedditTikTokTelegramdeclared on workflowy.com via homepage link with a matching handle |
| Official website | obsidian.md | workflowy.com |
| Site preview | ||
Rank = neutral rotation by listing ID, not a quality score · how it works
Only platforms with an official store or installer link are listed; others may exist.
Obsidian is Freemium; Workflowy is Freemium. Both are listed in Productivity on ToolDock.
Obsidian is listed as freemium (free tier alongside paid plans); Workflowy is listed as freemium (free tier alongside paid plans). Pricing label set at listing time; official pricing page linked where verified — see each official website for current details.
Both are Productivity tools listed on ToolDock.
ToolDock keeps a tag-matched alternatives list for each: see Obsidian alternatives and Workflowy alternatives.