TaskNote vs. Obsidian: stop configuring, start writing

In short:

Obsidian is a superb tool if you enjoy tuning settings, installing plugins and untangling sync. TaskNote offers the same local-first privacy, but it works the moment you open it, on every device, without a manual.

Obsidian with its plugin panels beside the plain writing surface of TaskNote

Setup as a hobby

Obsidian is empty when you install it. To make it useful you usually add:

Community plugins, each of which is code you now trust
A theme, then adjustments to the theme
Hotkeys, configured by hand

The trap is spending more time building the system than using it. The tinkering feels like progress, which is what makes it so easy to keep doing.

TaskNote has opinions so you do not have to:

Fonts, spacing and security defaults are already chosen.
Open it and write. Nothing to update, nothing that breaks after an update.

Sync

Obsidian keeps sync at arm's length:

Do it yourself with iCloud, Dropbox or Git, and deal with the conflicts and the slow phone.
Or pay for Obsidian Sync on top of the app.

TaskNote includes it:

Encrypted sync is part of the web app, not a paid extra, and it runs quietly in the background.
No conflict files to resolve by hand on a Sunday evening.

On a phone

Obsidian on mobile

Often feels like a desktop app folded into a phone screen.
Slow to launch once a few plugins are enabled.
Small targets and deep menus.

TaskNote on mobile

Built for touch: large targets, swipe gestures.
Opens immediately, which is the only way a thought actually gets captured.

Side by side

Feature	Obsidian	TaskNote
Philosophy	Build your own tool	Just write
Setup time	Hours of plugins and themes	None
Sync	Paid add-on, or do it yourself	Included and automatic
Mobile	Heavy and cluttered	Fast, made for touch
Encryption	End-to-end, only with paid sync	End-to-end, always on

Are you a tinkerer or a writer?

Choose Obsidian if:

You enjoy customising CSS and writing your own scripts.
You want an elaborate second brain with fifty plugins and a graph view.
Resolving your own sync conflicts does not bother you.

Choose TaskNote if:

You want the safety of local files without the maintenance.
You want to open your phone and be writing a second later.
Your time is worth more than your configuration.

Frequently asked questions

Is TaskNote free like Obsidian?

Yes. The web app is free with 50 notes, 3 boards and 10 folders; Pro removes the limits. Sync is included in the free plan, which is the main difference: Obsidian charges for Obsidian Sync.

Can I move my Obsidian vault into TaskNote?

Yes. Export nothing: a vault is already a folder of Markdown files. In TaskNote press Ctrl+K, choose Import, pick Markdown and select the files or a zip of the folder. Titles, text, lists and links come across.

Is TaskNote encrypted the way Obsidian is?

Obsidian keeps files on your disk unencrypted and encrypts only what goes through Obsidian Sync. TaskNote encrypts every note in the browser with a key only you hold before it is stored, so the server never sees plain text.

Does TaskNote have plugins?

No, and that is deliberate. The kanban board, reminders, templates, the command palette and the web clipper are built in, so there is nothing to install or keep updated. If you want a plugin ecosystem, stay with Obsidian.

Does TaskNote work offline?

The Windows app works fully offline with a local database. The web app needs a connection to load and save; edits made while offline are kept in the browser until it is back.