After years of using OneNote and Samsung Notes, I finally found the perfect note-taking app — Obsidian. Here’s my honest comparison, what I love about it, what I don’t, and how I set up free cloud sync and backups.
I’m not affiliated with Obsidian — just a happy user who finally found a system that fits.
If you’re struggling with OneNote or Samsung Notes, give Obsidian a try. You might never look back.
Introduction
I’ve spent years trying to find the perfect note-taking system.
I started with OneNote, then Samsung Notes, and while both served me well for a while, each came with limitations that frustrated me over time.
Then I discovered Obsidian, and it completely changed the way I think, organize, and store my ideas.
In this post, I’ll share:
- What I loved and didn’t love about OneNote and Samsung Notes
- Why Obsidian feels like a perfect balance
- How I solved Obsidian’s biggest flaw (cloud sync) without paying a cent
- How you can back up and migrate your notes safely
What I Liked About OneNote and Samsung Notes
What Worked Well
- Cloud Sync: Both apps sync beautifully with their ecosystems — OneNote with Microsoft and Samsung Notes with Samsung Cloud.
- OneNote for PC: The desktop version feels like MS Word built for note-taking — powerful, structured, and full-featured.
- Organization: I loved OneNote’s ability to organize ideas into folders, subfolders, and notebooks.
- Samsung Notes for Mobile: On the phone, it’s simple and quick — perfect for jotting down thoughts on the go.
Where They Fell Short
- OneNote Mobile: It works, but the interface feels clunky and outdated.
- Samsung Notes on PC: Terrible experience. It’s tightly locked into the Samsung ecosystem, with no easy cross-platform access.
- Organization Limitations: Samsung Notes doesn’t allow flexible structure or linking between notes like OneNote or Obsidian.
Discovering Obsidian — And Falling in Love
When I first tried Obsidian, it felt like someone finally built a tool for thinkers, not just note-takers.
What I Love About Obsidian
- Beautiful, Minimal Interface: Clean, distraction-free, and highly customizable.
- Organization Heaven: It works just like OneNote — you can create folders, subfolders, and connect ideas using links.
- Plain Markdown Files: Every note is stored locally as a
.mdfile. You truly own your data. - Plugins & Themes: You can make Obsidian feel like anything you want — from a personal wiki to a digital garden.
The Only Downside: Cloud Sync (and My Workaround)
Obsidian doesn’t offer free cloud sync — it’s a paid add-on called Obsidian Sync.
I didn’t want another subscription, so I explored free and reliable alternatives that work just as well.
Free Cloud Sync Options
1. Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox
- Store your entire vault folder inside a cloud-synced folder.
- Both desktop and mobile apps will automatically access the same notes.
- Just avoid editing the same note simultaneously on multiple devices.
2. Syncthing (Free, Private, and Fast)
- Peer-to-peer syncing, no cloud needed.
- Works across Windows, Android, Linux — even offline.
- 100% privacy-friendly and reliable for Obsidian users.
3. Git + GitHub
- For techies: use the Obsidian Git plugin.
- Automatically syncs and versions your notes.
- Bonus: built-in history and version control.
Automating Backups
I used to back up my vault manually, but now I automate it.
Here are easy options:
- Obsidian Git plugin: Automatically commits and pushes your latest notes.
- Scheduled backups: Use a system script or backup tool to copy your vault folder daily.
- Cloud Backup: If your vault is in Google Drive, it’s already backed up.
Exporting Obsidian Notes Without Losing Anything
This is where Obsidian shines — your notes are future-proof.
- Every note is a standard
.mdfile. - Links like
[[Note Title]]are simple markdown references. - Images and attachments are stored in folders like
/attachmentsor/images. - Export easily to:
- PDF: Built-in export option
- Word / HTML: With the Pandoc plugin
- Other note apps: Just import your Markdown files directly.
Conclusion
After years of trying nearly every major note-taking app, Obsidian is the first one that truly feels like it’s mine.
It’s flexible like OneNote, aesthetic like Notion, and simple like a plain text editor — all without locking me into a proprietary system. With the right setup, Obsidian gives you full control, free sync, and total portability.
If you love organizing ideas, journaling, or just building a second brain — Obsidian might be the last note-taking app you’ll ever need.
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