Our take
Pick Heynote if developers who will stay on Free while they keep a first Scratch math + JSON buffer — then keep it at $0, not Obsidian Sync $4 first unless they want an encrypted vault, and not if they need native sync or a mobile app (this is a local desktop buffer). Pick Obsidian if individual writers who will stay on the $0 app while they open a first Bases table, then Sync at $4/user/month yearly ($5 monthly)
Best for
Heynote A scratch buffer you start at a public $
Obsidian A vault table you start at a public $
Free plan
Heynote No free plan
Obsidian $0 · no sign-up. No strings attached
Lowest paid
Heynote Not published by the vendor
Obsidian Sync $4/user/mo yearly
Next step up
Heynote
Obsidian Publish $8/mo yearly
Watch out
Heynote No native sync / no mobile app
Obsidian The $0 tile is the local app
Last checked
Heynote 2026-10-23 · heynote.com
Obsidian 2026-10-23 · obsidian.md/pricing
developers who will stay on Free while they keep a first Scratch math + JSON buffer — then keep it at $0, not Obsidian Sync $4 first unless they want an encrypted vault, and not if they need native sync or a mobile app (this is a local desktop buffer).
Read the Heynote pageindividual writers who will stay on the $0 app while they open a first Bases table, then Sync at $4/user/month yearly ($5 monthly) when they want encrypted vaults on other devices.
Read the Obsidian page
