I've been using the same three note-taking apps for the past eighteen months, switching between them based on what I'm doing at any given moment. Some days I'm in Notion for three hours straight. Other days I touch Obsidian once and never come back. Evernote? It sits there doing almost nothing.
The problem with most note-taking app reviews is that they treat all three like they're trying to solve the same problem. They're not. And that's actually the insight that matters most.
Let me walk you through exactly how I use each one, what each app is genuinely good at, and more importantly — when you should actually use them. I'll be honest about the stuff that annoyed me too.
Setting Up Notion: The First Week Is Brutal
Notion is the overachiever in this trio. When you first open it, you get this beautiful blank canvas and absolutely no idea what to do with it.
Here's my actual setup process (this is what I did, not what Notion tells you to do):
Step 1: Create a master workspace hub. I made a single page called "Hub" and treated it as my command center. Nothing fancy. Just four sections: Today, Projects, Reference, Archive. This takes five minutes and saves you from the chaos of random databases.
Step 2: Build your actual databases. I created three databases: Tasks (for daily work), Projects (for bigger initiatives), and Notes (for random thoughts). Don't use pages for everything like a beginner. Use databases with properties. This is what makes Notion actually useful instead of just pretty.
Step 3: Link everything. I added a "Relation" property in my Tasks database that links to Projects. So when I mark a task as done, I can see which project it belongs to instantly. Takes two minutes to set up. Changes everything about how the app works.
The Notion Learning Curve (It's Real)
Here's what I'll be honest about: Notion's onboarding is terrible. They show you templates, but templates are often overbuilt. I wasted a full day trying to recreate someone's fancy dashboard that I didn't actually need.
But here's what Notion actually excels at — it's a database tool disguised as a note-taking app. If you're managing projects, tracking habits, logging reading lists, or running a small business from your notes, Notion is absurdly powerful. I use it for tracking article ideas, client projects, and my entire reading list with ratings and highlights.
The pricing is also weirdly good. Free version is genuinely functional. Pro is $10/month. Calling it a "cost" feels weird when it's cheaper than a coffee per week.
When Notion Actually Shines
I reach for Notion when:
- I need to structure data (anything with multiple properties, dates, or relationships)
- I'm building something that'll grow (a project tracker, book list, content calendar)
- I need to share polished information with someone else
I avoid Notion when I just want to dump quick thoughts. It feels like killing a fly with a hammer.
Obsidian: The Thinking Tool (If You Actually Use It Right)
Obsidian is fundamentally different from Notion. It's not trying to be a database. It's trying to be your second brain.
My honest first impression: It felt like using a text editor from 2008. But that was the point.
Here's how I actually set it up (and this matters because Obsidian's power is entirely in the organization):
Step 1: Create a folder structure, but keep it simple. I made four folders: Daily (for daily notes), Areas (for ongoing interests), Resources (for permanent reference material), and Archive (for old stuff). Don't overthink this. I see people create 20 nested folders. That defeats the purpose.
Step 2: Set up the Daily Notes plugin. This is non-negotiable. In Obsidian settings, I enabled Daily Notes and configured it to create a note for today's date automatically. Every single thought, task, and random idea goes into today's daily note. At the end of the day, I cherry-pick what actually matters and move it to permanent notes.
Step 3: Start using backlinks obsessively. When I write a note about "productivity", I type [[productivity]] and Obsidian automatically creates a link. Over time, these backlinks create a web of connected ideas. I can click on any term and see every note that references it. This is where Obsidian becomes magic.
The Offline-First Philosophy
Obsidian stores everything locally on your device. No cloud by default. This sounds like a limitation until you realize what it means: your notes are truly yours, they load instantly, and they work without internet.
I used to think this was a drawback. Now I think it's the entire point.
If you use Obsidian's Sync service ($8/month), you can sync across devices. Worth it if you're hopping between phone and laptop. But the core app works perfectly offline, which Notion absolutely does not.
Obsidian's Real Use Case
I use Obsidian for: long-form writing, building a personal knowledge base, essay drafts, collecting research, thinking through problems.
I don't use Obsidian for: task management, project tracking, anything with deadlines or collaboration.
It's the thinking tool. The journaling tool. The research repository. Not the project management tool.
Evernote: The App That Peaked in 2015
I'm going to be blunt here. Evernote is the reason I'm writing this post.
Evernote used to be the king. Back in 2010-2014, it was the only real option. You could clip web articles, scan handwritten notes, organize everything in notebooks, and search across your entire archive instantly.
Then Notion and Obsidian showed up. And Evernote... didn't change much.
I set up Evernote the way it's designed to be used: notebooks for categories, notes within those notebooks, tags for cross-cutting concerns. It took thirty minutes. It's all straightforward.
But here's what happened: I stopped using it because I kept reaching for Notion (for structure) or Obsidian (for thinking). Evernote does both, but it does neither exceptionally well. It's the middle ground that doesn't quite land.
Where Evernote Still Works
That said, Evernote's web clipper is legitimately excellent. If you want to save articles and have them searchable in one place, it's still great for that. I use Evernote specifically for clipping long-form articles I might want to reference.
The mobile app is also solid. The search works. It syncs reliably.
But for $12.99/month (Pro version), you're paying premium pricing for a tool that feels like it's treading water.
The Honest Assessment
Evernote is the safe choice. If you just want something that works without thinking about it too much, Evernote will do that. But "works" isn't enough anymore. Both Notion and Obsidian solve specific problems better. Evernote solves everything adequately, which in 2024 is actually a weakness, not a strength.
The Actual Comparison: Where Each One Fits
| Feature | Notion | Obsidian | Evernote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Projects, databases, structured info | Long-form writing, knowledge base | Web clipping, simple notes |
| Pricing | Free or $10/month | Free or $8/month (sync) | Free limited, $12.99/month |
| Learning Curve | Steep (worth it) | Moderate (rewarding) | Flat (intuitive) |
| Offline Support | No (cloud only) | Yes (default) | Partial (desktop only) |
| Collaboration | Excellent | Not built-in | Basic sharing |
| Mobile Experience | Decent but slow | Good (with plugins) | Excellent |
My Real Workflow
Since you asked (or I'm assuming you care) — here's how I actually use all three together, because that's the real answer:
Morning: I open Obsidian's daily note and brain-dump everything that needs to happen today and any thoughts I had overnight.
During work: I reference Notion for project details and deadlines. I add tasks there.
When researching: I clip to Evernote, then synthesize findings in Obsidian.
For client deliverables: I build it in Notion, share the link. Looks professional.
I used to think I needed to pick one. I was wrong.
My Take
Here's what surprised me: Obsidian is way better than it has any right to be. For a tool that's just markdown files and a search engine, it's almost magical once you stop fighting it.
What disappointed me: Evernote's absolute lack of ambition. It could still be great if they'd actually innovate instead of just maintaining what they have.
The reality: You probably don't need all three. But you might need two.
If you're a student or someone who just needs to capture notes quickly — use Evernote. Stop overthinking it.
If you're building a knowledge base or doing serious writing — Obsidian. No question.
If you're running projects, managing clients, or need to share structured information — Notion is the only real choice, despite the learning curve.
I could be wrong about Evernote (maybe I never gave it a fair shot), but after six months of barely touching it while actively using the other two, I think my assessment is fair.
Verdict
Pick one based on your actual problem, not features:
Use Notion if you need structure, databases, or anything collaborative. Worth the learning curve. Budget: $10/month if you get serious about it.
Use Obsidian if you write, research, or think in long form. The knowledge graph alone is worth learning it. Budget: Free is genuinely sufficient; $8/month for sync across devices is optional.
Use Evernote only if you specifically want a web clipper and don't care about the rest. It's not bad, just not worth the money or mental energy in 2024. Budget: $12.99/month is overpriced for what you get.
My honest recommendation: Start with Obsidian (free, no risk). If you need project management, add Notion ($10). Skip Evernote unless you're clipping a hundred articles per month.
Stop trying to use one tool for everything. Pick the right tool for the job.
Published by Dattatray Dagale • 28 June 2026
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