Obsidian vs Readwise
Obsidian and Readwise are both Productivity tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, user ratings, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Obsidian | Readwise |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Obsidian | Readwise |
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.7 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Paid |
| Platforms | Desktop, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android, Extension |
| Key features | Local Markdown, Plugins, Graph | Spaced-resurfacing of highlights, Sync to Notion/Obsidian/Evernote, Readwise Reader: read-later with Ghostreader AI |
| Headquarters | Canada / remote | Remote, USA |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
| Open source | No | No |
Key differences
- Obsidian has a higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.7★).
- Obsidian is Freemium, while Readwise is Paid.
- Obsidian runs on Desktop, iOS, Android; Readwise runs on Web, iOS, Android, Extension.
Frequently asked questions
Is Obsidian or Readwise better?
By user rating, Obsidian scores higher (4.8★ vs 4.7★). Both are capable Productivity tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Obsidian or Readwise?
Obsidian is Freemium and Readwise is Paid. Check each product page for current plan details.
Are Obsidian and Readwise open source?
No — neither Obsidian nor Readwise is open source.