Bangle.io vs Obsidian

Bangle.io

• Editing a folder of Markdown notes from the browser
• Writers who want rich-text editing with Markdown files on disk
• Trying a notes tool with no sign-up and nothing to install

Obsidian

• People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
• Building a linked personal knowledge base that works offline
• Users who like to customize an app with plugins and themes

Bangle.io

• It works best in browsers with the File System Access API, such as Chrome or Edge; other browsers are steered toward the installed PWA.
• There are no native desktop or mobile apps. The desktop option is installing the web app as a Progressive Web App.
• No sync or backup is built in. The FAQ leaves backups to your own routine and recommends git for versioned ones.
• The FAQ says optional paid add-on services may be considered in future to fund development.

Obsidian

• There is no web app; Obsidian runs as desktop and mobile apps only.
• Obsidian Sync is a paid add-on, from $4 per user / month billed annually.
• Sync Standard covers 1 vault with 1 GB of storage and a 5 MB file size limit; larger limits need Sync Plus.
• Publishing notes to the web is billed separately from Sync, at $8 per site / month on annual billing.

Bangle.io

Works on local Markdown files

Notes are saved as plain Markdown files in a folder you pick on your computer, and the app reads and writes them there directly from the browser.

WYSIWYG editor

A rich-text interface in the style of Notion or Google Docs shows formatting as you write, while the files on disk stay in Markdown.

Folders and backlinks

Notes can be organized in folders, connected to one another with backlinks, or both.

Offline web app

Once loaded, the app keeps working without an internet connection, and installing it as a Progressive Web App gives a separate desktop-style window.

Split screen and tabs

Split-screen views and a multi-tab interface keep several notes open at the same time.

No account, no tracking of notes

There is nothing to sign up for or install. The privacy policy says no personal data is collected, with anonymous usage and diagnostic data going to Sentry and Cloudflare analytics.

Obsidian

Local Markdown files

Notes are saved on your device as plain-text Markdown files, so they stay readable in other editors and available offline.

Links and graph view

Notes link to one another, and a graph view draws the relationships between them so related ideas are easier to find.

Canvas

An infinite board for laying out notes, diagrams and research side by side while brainstorming.

Plugins and themes

Thousands of community plugins and themes, built on an open API, change how the app looks and behaves.

Sync (paid add-on)

End-to-end encrypted sync across devices with version history and shared vaults that update in real time for a team.

Publish and Web Clipper

Publish turns notes into a hosted site, priced per site. The Web Clipper extension saves web pages from Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge.

Bangle.io

• Bangle.io$0

  The full web app at app.bangle.io, used in the browser or installed as a Progressive Web App. No account is needed.

Obsidian

• Obsidian app$0

  The full app with local Markdown notes, links, graph, canvas, plugins and themes. No account needed.

• Sync Standard$4

  per user / month, billed annually ($5 billed monthly)

  Encrypted sync for 1 vault with 1 GB of storage, a 5 MB maximum file size and 1 month of version history.

• Sync Plus$8

  per user / month, billed annually ($10 billed monthly)

  Sync for 10 vaults with 10 GB of storage (upgradable to 100 GB), 200 MB maximum file size and 12 months of version history.

• Publish$8

  per site / month, billed annually ($10 billed monthly)

  Publishes selected notes as a website with a custom domain, password protection, graph view and full-text search.

• Catalyst$25

  one-time payment

  Optional supporter license with early access to beta versions, community badges and exclusive channels.

• Commercial$50

  per user / year

  Optional license for organizations that want to support development. It is not required to use Obsidian at work.

Bangle.io

No public discounts listed.

Obsidian

• Annual discount

  20% lower price with annual billing

  Sync is $4 per user / month billed annually versus $5 billed monthly, and Publish is $8 per site versus $10: a 20% saving on each.

• Education

  40% off Sync and Publish for students and faculty

  Students and faculty members of schools and universities can apply for 40% off Obsidian Sync and Publish from their account dashboard, using a school email.

• Nonprofit

  40% off Sync and Publish for nonprofits

  People who run or work at a nonprofit organization can apply for 40% off Obsidian Sync and Publish, using their organization email.