// ITS FOSS — LINUX & OPEN SOURCE
Obsidian vs Logseq: Which Note-Taking App Fits Your Workflow Better?
Obsidian and Logseq may seem similar. Both are local-first note-taking apps, both use Markdown, and both are popular among people building their personal knowledge base.
But after using both for nearly three years, I can say this: they are not the same kind of tool. Obsidian feels like a powerful Markdown writing environment. Logseq feels like an outliner built for connecting ideas at the block level.
Both applications use Markdown as their primary note format. However, Logseq is also actively developing a database-based version alongside its traditional Markdown workflow.
I have written several tutorials on both Logseq and Obsidian here on It's FOSS. One of the frequently asked questions in the comments of those articles has been about the differences between Obsidian and Logseq.
Of course, the major difference is that Logseq is open source and Obsidian is not. Yes, Obsidian is one of those tools that feel like they are open source even when they are not.
But that major difference is not a difference for many. They want to know which tool they should use for their perfectly curated knowledge base.
So, I decided to compare both Logseq and Obsidian on certain points that I have noticed in my experience. Instead of trying to declare one as the winner, I'll explain where each application works well, where I struggled, and why I still use both in my daily workflow.
This is not a recommendation to switch to one application or the other. It is simply a collection of my experiences and the workflow that worked best for me.
Here is a quick comparison before we go into the details.
How an application stores your notes is one of the most important aspects of any note-taking system. Fast access to your data and complete ownership of your notes are essential.