TaskNote vs. Obsidian: Stop Configuring, Start Writing
TL;DR:
Obsidian is a fantastic tool for geeks who love tweaking settings, installing plugins, and debugging Git synchronizations. TaskNote is for people who want the same Local-First Privacy, but want it to work instantly across all devices without a manual.
🧩 The "Config Hell" (Complexity)
Obsidian is empty when you install it. To make it useful, you often need:
- Community Plugins (Security risk?)
- Complex themes
- Manual hotkey setup
- Result: You spend more time optimizing your system than actually using it. This is called "Productivity Porn."
TaskNote is opinionated software.
- Ready to go: We chose the best fonts, the best spacing, and the best security defaults.
- Focus: You open the app and write. No plugins to update, no breaking changes.
🔄 The Sync Problem
Obsidian makes sync complicated:
- Free way: Use iCloud/Dropbox/Git (often buggy, slow on mobile, conflicts).
- Paid way: Obsidian Sync costs $8/month (expensive!).
TaskNote includes Sync:
- Seamless: Our encrypted sync is built into the core. It works invisibly in the background.
- Cheaper: You get premium security and sync for a better price than their add-on.
📱 Mobile Experience
Obsidian Mobile:
- Often feels like a desktop app squeezed onto a phone.
- Slow launch times with many plugins enabled.
- Small buttons and complex menus.
TaskNote Mobile:
- Mobile-First Design: Big touch targets, swipe gestures.
- Instant Launch: Opens immediately to capture thoughts on the go.
⚔️ Comparison Table
| Feature | Obsidian | TaskNote |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | "Build your own IDE" | "Just write" |
| Setup Time | Hours (Plugins, Themes) | 0 Minutes |
| Sync | $8/mo or DIY (Hard) | Included & Automatic |
| Mobile App | Heavy / Cluttered | Fast / Native-feel |
| Encryption | E2EE (Only with paid Sync) | E2EE (Always On) |
🏁 Conclusion: Are you a Tinkerer or a Writer?
Choose Obsidian if:
- You are a developer who loves customizing CSS and writing scripts.
- You want to build a complex "Second Brain" graph with 50 plugins.
- You enjoy managing your own sync conflicts.
Choose TaskNote if:
- You want the security of local files without the headache.
- You want to open your phone and write a note in 1 second.
- You value your time.