Roam Research vs Obsidian
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
Roam Research
6.0Note-taking tool for networked thought
Obsidian
8.0Knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files
| Metric | Roam Research | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| AI Score | 6.0 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 14 | 26.2K |
| 90-day Installs | 47 | 61.9K |
| 365-day Installs | 180 | 131.4K |
| Version | 0.0.36 | 1.12.7 |
| Auto-updates | No | Yes |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 299 | 15.5K |
| GitHub Forks | 7 | 5.6K |
| Open Issues | 507 | 1.5K |
| License | — | — |
| Language | — | — |
| Last GitHub Commit | 5y ago | 1mo ago |
| First Seen | May 27, 2022 | May 27, 2020 |
Reviews
Roam Research
Roam Research is a unique note-taking tool designed for networked thought, allowing users to create and connect ideas in a flexible, knowledge-building environment. It benefits writers, researchers, and thinkers who need a powerful tool for organizing complex ideas and fostering creativity.
Roam Research enables users to take notes, connect ideas, and build a personal knowledge network with rich linking capabilities.
Pros
- + Encourages networked thinking and idea connection through flexible linking
- + Cross-platform availability for convenient access
- + Supports knowledge management and exploration
Cons
- - Lack of auto-updates may lead to manual maintenance
- - High number of open issues suggests potential instability
Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that organizes plain text Markdown files, offering extensive plugins and integrations. It benefits productivity-focused users who prefer a flexible, local-first approach to note-taking and information management.
Obsidian is a knowledge base that organizes and enhances plain text Markdown files with rich features and plugins.
Pros
- + Works with local Markdown files, offering flexibility and control
- + Extensive plugin ecosystem for customization
- + Introduction of CLI and TUI enhances accessibility
Cons
- - Steep learning curve for new users
- - Limited cloud sync features compared to competitors