Obisidian vs Fellow

Not all AI note-taking tools are built the same. If you work with sensitive financial data, choosing the right one matters even more. Tools like Obsidian and Fellow offer powerful features, but they serve different needs.

In this article, we’ll compare the two so you can see which one fits your workflow best. And if security is a top priority, you’ll want to know about tools like Knapsack — one of the first private AI note-takers designed to protect your data.

Let’s break down the features, strengths, and key differences between Obsidian and Fellow.

Key Differences Between Obsidian And Fellow

Obsidian and Fellow both offer AI-powered note-taking, but they cater to different types of users. Obsidian is known for its flexibility and customization, while Fellow focuses on structured meeting management and collaboration. Here’s a quick look at how they compare:

Feature

Obsidian

Fellow

Primary use

Personal knowledge management

Meeting management and collaboration

AI capabilities

Advanced with plugins

Built-in AI for meeting notes

Customization

Highly customizable

Limited customization

Collaboration

Minimal

Strong collaborative features

Security

Local storage options

Cloud-based with encryption

Learning Curve

Steep

Easy to get started

Obsidian Features

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking tool built around creating a web of interconnected ideas. It’s designed for people who need more than just a simple notepad — it helps you organize thoughts, research, and projects in a way that shows how everything relates.

Using Markdown, a lightweight text format, Obsidian lets you link notes, visualize connections, and customize your workspace with plugins. This makes it especially useful for those who handle complex information and want a structured yet flexible way to manage their knowledge.

Key Features

• Networked Notes: Obsidian’s standout feature is its ability to link notes, allowing you to create a dynamic, visual map of your ideas.
• Graph View: This feature provides a bird’s-eye view of how your notes are connected, helping you spot patterns and relationships.
• Markdown Support: Using Markdown keeps your notes lightweight and easy to format, while still offering plenty of flexibility.
• Plugin Ecosystem: Obsidian offers a wide range of plugins, letting you extend its capabilities based on your workflow.
• Local Storage: Your data stays on your device, offering enhanced privacy and control over sensitive information.
• Customization: Themes, plugins, and settings let you tailor Obsidian’s interface and functionality to suit your style.

Pros

• Highly flexible and customizable
• Excellent for managing complex projects and research
• Visual tools like Graph View help map out ideas
• Works offline with local storage options
• Strong plugin support for added functionality

Cons

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Requires Markdown knowledge for best use
• Limited built-in collaboration features

Pricing

• Free Plan: Core features with local storage
• Catalyst Plan: One-time payment starting at $25 for early access and insider builds
• Commercial Use: $50 per user per year for businesses and professional use

Fellow Features

Fellow stands out as a comprehensive AI-powered tool designed specifically for managing meetings. It goes beyond simple note-taking by offering features that help you prepare, stay organized during meetings, and follow up effectively.

From collaborative agendas to post-meeting recaps, Fellow streamlines the entire meeting process. It’s especially well-suited for enterprise teams thanks to its advanced administrative controls and strong data security. If you want a tool that covers every stage of your meetings while keeping your information safe, Fellow delivers.

Key Features

• AI-Powered Notes: Generates accurate transcriptions and human-like summaries.
• Collaborative Agendas: Build shared agendas with over 500 ready-to-use templates.
• Meeting Management Tools: Pre-meeting briefs, post-meeting recaps, and action item tracking.
• Ask Fellow Copilot: AI chat bot to help manage and organize meeting details.
• Meeting Analytics: Gain insights into meeting effectiveness and participation.
• Integration Support: Connects with over 50 tools like Google Meet, Zoom, Asana, Slack, and Salesforce.

Pros

• All-in-one solution for meeting management
• Collaborative features improve team alignment
• Wide range of templates saves time on prep
• Strong integration options with popular tools
• Enterprise-level security and administrative controls

Cons

• Heavily focused on meetings, less flexible for personal note-taking
• Cloud-based storage may not suit those needing local data control
• Free plan limits meeting recordings per month

Pricing

• Free Plan: Includes five meeting recordings per user per month, agenda templates, and core integrations.
• Paid Plans: Start at $7 per user per month, offering more advanced features and increased recording capacity.

Comparison: Obsidian vs Fellow

Obsidian and Fellow both offer AI-driven note-taking, but they’re built for very different needs. Obsidian shines with its deep customization and knowledge management, while Fellow focuses on streamlining meetings with collaborative tools. Let’s take a closer look at how they compare on essential features like pricing, transcription, and ease of use.

Pricing

Both tools offer a mix of free and paid plans, but their pricing structures reflect their different audiences.

• Obsidian: Offers a generous free plan with core features and local storage. For those who want early access and insider builds, there’s a one-time $25 Catalyst plan. Businesses can opt for the commercial license at $50 per user per year.
• Fellow: Has a free plan with limited meeting recordings and core integrations. Paid plans start at $7 per user per month, making it a more affordable option for teams who need advanced meeting features.

Verdict: Obsidian’s pricing is better suited for individual users and knowledge managers, while Fellow’s subscription model works well for teams focused on meetings.

Transcription and AI Capabilities

When it comes to AI-driven note-taking, Fellow takes the lead with built-in transcription and meeting-specific features.

• Obsidian: Doesn’t offer built-in transcription but supports advanced AI capabilities through third-party plugins. Its strength lies in linking and visualizing ideas rather than capturing live conversations.
• Fellow: Provides AI-generated transcriptions, human-level summaries, and action item suggestions. It also includes pre-meeting briefs and post-meeting recaps for a complete meeting workflow.

Verdict: Fellow is the clear winner for transcription and AI-driven meeting management, while Obsidian excels at creating a connected knowledge base.

Ease of Use

The learning curve varies significantly between these two tools, depending on how you plan to use them.

• Obsidian: Highly customizable but requires knowledge of Markdown and some technical setup to unlock its full potential. The interface is minimalist but can feel overwhelming for new users.
• Fellow: Designed for ease of use with ready-made templates, collaborative agendas, and straightforward navigation. It’s built for teams who want to get up and running quickly without much setup.

Verdict: Fellow offers a more user-friendly experience, especially for teams, while Obsidian requires time to master but rewards you with powerful customization.

Collaboration

If you’re working with a team, collaboration features can make or break your experience.

• Obsidian: Primarily designed for individual knowledge management. While you can share notes, real-time collaboration is limited.
• Fellow: Built with collaboration in mind, offering shared agendas, action item tracking, and live meeting notes. It also integrates with over 50 tools like Slack, Asana, and Google Meet for seamless teamwork.

Verdict: Fellow is far better for teams and collaborative work, while Obsidian is ideal for personal projects and research.

Security and Data Privacy

For professionals handling sensitive financial data, security is a top concern.

• Obsidian: Offers local storage, meaning your notes stay on your device and aren’t stored in the cloud unless you choose to sync them. This provides a higher level of privacy and control.
• Fellow: Uses cloud-based storage with strong encryption and administrative-level controls for enterprise security. Meeting policy prompts and data permissions make it a safe option for businesses.

Verdict: Obsidian’s local storage offers unmatched privacy for individual users, while Fellow’s enterprise-level security suits larger teams managing confidential information.

Which One Is Better?

The right AI note-taking tool depends on how you plan to use it. Obsidian and Fellow cater to very different needs — one is perfect for deep, personal knowledge management, while the other excels at team-based meeting organization. Let’s break down who each tool is best suited for.

Obsidian is best for

• Individual users: Ideal for those who want a private, local-first note-taking system.
• Researchers and knowledge managers: Great for building a “second brain” with interconnected notes and ideas.
• Tech-savvy users: Perfect if you’re comfortable with Markdown and want to customize your workspace with plugins and themes.
• Offline access: Since Obsidian stores data locally, you can access your notes without an internet connection.

Fellow is best for

• Teams and businesses: Designed for collaborative meeting management with shared agendas and real-time notes.
• Meeting-heavy workflows: Best for professionals who need pre-meeting briefs, AI-generated summaries, and post-meeting recaps.
• Enterprise users: Suits larger organizations needing administrative controls, data security, and permissions management.
• Integration lovers: Works seamlessly with tools like Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, and Asana, keeping your workflow connected.

Wrap-Up!

Both Obsidian and Fellow offer powerful features, but they serve very different purposes. Obsidian is perfect for those who want a private, highly customizable space for organizing ideas and research. Fellow stands out as a meeting management powerhouse, offering AI-driven notes and seamless collaboration tools.

If privacy and deep knowledge management are your priorities, Obsidian is a solid choice. But if you’re focused on efficient, well-structured meetings with your team, Fellow delivers everything you need.

For professionals handling sensitive financial data, security is non-negotiable. That’s where tools like Knapsack step in — offering one of the first private AI note-takers designed with data protection in mind.

No matter your needs, the right tool can transform the way you capture and organize information.