Obsidian vs Granola.ai

AI note-taking tools are getting a lot of attention — and for good reason. They save time, keep conversations organized, and make sure no important detail slips through the cracks. But not all tools are built the same.

When it comes to sensitive data, security matters. That’s why professionals in finance, like portfolio managers and investment bankers, can’t just pick any tool off the shelf. They need something reliable and private.

In this article, we’ll compare two popular AI note-takers: Obsidian and Granola AI. We’ll break down their features, strengths, and potential drawbacks to help you decide which one fits your needs.

Let’s get into it.

Key Differences Between Obsidian And Granola AI

Obsidian and Granola AI both offer powerful note-taking features, but they cater to different needs. Both tools have their strengths, but the right choice depends on your priorities — whether it’s security, simplicity, or advanced AI support. Let’s break down their strengths and see how they compare.

Feature

Obsidian

Granola AI

Data Security

Local storage, full user control

Cloud-based, encryption

AI Capabilities

Limited AI features, mostly plugins

Built-in AI for meeting notes

Customization

Highly customizable with plugins

Minimal customization

Ease of Use

Steeper learning curve

User-friendly, simple setup

Collaboration

Requires third-party tools

Built-in collaboration tools

Offline Access

Full offline access

Limited offline features

Pricing

Free with paid add-ons

Subscription-based

What Is Obsidian?

Obsidian is a flexible and feature-rich note-taking app designed for people who want complete control over their information. It’s known for its local storage, meaning your data stays on your device — a big win for privacy. Obsidian uses a markdown-based system, making it easy to format notes and create a web of interconnected ideas. It’s perfect for those who want a personalized, organized space for managing knowledge and projects.

This tool is especially popular among researchers, students, and professionals who need a powerful, customizable setup. Its offline capabilities and extensive plugin system let you shape the app to fit your workflow. However, it does take some time to learn, and the interface isn’t always intuitive for beginners.

Key Features

• Local Storage: Keeps your data private and fully under your control.
• Markdown Support: Simple and efficient formatting for easy note-taking.
• Interconnected Notes: Link ideas together like a knowledge map.
• Plugin System: Add custom features to enhance functionality.
• Offline Access: Works seamlessly without an internet connection.

Pros

• Highly Customizable: Tailor it exactly to your needs.
• Fast and Responsive: No lag, even with large note collections.
• Great for Knowledge Management: Ideal for organizing complex information.
• Device Syncing: Excellent mobile app for keeping notes updated everywhere.

Cons

• Steep Learning Curve: Takes time to get comfortable with the interface.
• Weak Search Function: Struggles with multi-word search terms.
• Limited Table Support: Even with plugins, table formatting is tricky.
• Citation Management: No built-in bibliography tools; plugin options are clunky.

Pricing

• Free: Core features with local storage and offline access.
• Sync Plan: $8 per month for device syncing.
• Catalyst Plan: One-time payment starting at $25 for early access to new features.

What Is Granola AI?

Granola AI is a smart meeting notepad designed to take the hassle out of capturing and organizing meeting notes. It works quietly in the background on macOS, turning your notes and audio transcriptions into clear, actionable summaries. Unlike many other AI note-takers, Granola doesn’t rely on bots — it captures audio directly from your Mac, so there’s no need to connect it to platforms like Google Meet, Webex, or Microsoft Teams.

This tool is perfect for professionals with back-to-back meetings who need polished and easy-to-share notes. Granola’s AI even helps you find key points from past conversations, making follow-ups faster and more efficient.

Key Features

• AI-Powered Summaries: Combines user input and AI to create detailed meeting breakdowns.
• No Bot Required: Captures audio directly from your Mac without joining calls.
• Customizable Templates: Tailor note formats for recurring meetings and team workflows.
• AI Q&A Assistant: Quickly find specific details from past meeting notes.
• Easy Sharing: Share notes and templates across your team with ease.

Pros

• Automated and Accurate: Produces polished, context-aware meeting notes.
• Saves Time: Streamlines post-meeting follow-ups with AI-powered insights.
• Works in the Background: No awkward bot notifications during calls.
• Great for Busy Schedules: Ideal for those with back-to-back meetings.

Cons

• Mac-Only: Not available for Windows users yet.
• Costs Add Up: Pricing can get high for larger teams.
• Limited Platform Integration: Doesn’t directly connect with video call platforms.

Pricing

• Free: Limited access with basic features.
• Individual: $18 per month per user.
• Business: $14 per month per user.

Comparison: Obsidian vs Granola AI

When choosing an AI note-taking tool, it’s important to look at the features that matter most. Obsidian and Granola AI offer very different approaches, catering to different user needs. Let’s break down their pricing, transcription abilities, user experience, advanced features, security, and more — so you can decide which one fits your workflow best.

Pricing

Both tools have different pricing models tailored to their features.

• Obsidian: Offers a generous free plan with core features like local storage and markdown support. Paid plans start at $8 per month for syncing across devices, and there’s a one-time Catalyst plan starting at $25 for early feature access.
• Granola AI: More expensive, starting at $18 per month for individual users and $14 per month per user for business plans. A free plan is available, but with limited access.

Verdict: Obsidian wins for affordability and flexible pricing. Granola’s higher price might only be worth it if you need AI-powered meeting notes.

Transcription

Transcription is one of Granola AI’s standout features, while Obsidian doesn’t focus on this at all.

• Obsidian: No built-in transcription capabilities. You’ll need third-party plugins, which can be tricky to set up and may not always deliver accurate results.
• Granola AI: Offers real-time audio transcription directly from your Mac without bots. It works quietly in the background and provides polished, AI-enhanced meeting summaries.

Verdict: Granola AI clearly leads in transcription. If you need automatic meeting notes, this is the better option.

User Experience (Interface)

A good interface makes a huge difference when you’re using a tool daily.

• Obsidian: Clean but not very intuitive. The interface can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so many customization options and plugins. It takes time to learn but offers great flexibility.
• Granola AI: Simple and user-friendly, working behind the scenes without needing much setup. The AI-generated summaries are well-organized and easy to navigate.

Verdict: Granola AI wins for ease of use, while Obsidian is better if you prefer deep customization and don’t mind a learning curve.

Advanced Features

Both tools bring powerful features, but they shine in different areas.

• Obsidian:
• Markdown support for simple, structured note-taking.
• Extensive plugin system for customization.
• Graph view for visualizing interconnected notes.
• Granola AI:
• AI-powered meeting summaries and transcription.
• Customizable templates for recurring meetings.
• AI Q&A assistant to quickly pull key points from past notes.

Verdict: It’s a tie. Obsidian is better for knowledge management and long-term projects, while Granola AI excels in meeting-focused features.

Security and Privacy

For professionals handling sensitive data, security is crucial.

• Obsidian: Data is stored locally by default, keeping it entirely in your control. This eliminates cloud-based privacy concerns.
• Granola AI: Works through macOS without bots joining calls, reducing the risk of exposure — but it still involves cloud-based AI processing.

Verdict: Obsidian wins for privacy, especially for financial experts and investment managers dealing with confidential information.

Language Support

If you work with international teams, language support can be important.

• Obsidian: Primarily supports English, but markdown’s simple syntax makes it adaptable to different languages.
• Granola AI: Supports multiple languages for transcription and note-taking, making it more versatile for multilingual teams.

Verdict: Granola AI takes the lead for broader language support.

Integrations

Integrations help streamline workflows across different tools.

• Obsidian: Extensive community-driven plugins offer third-party app integrations, but they require manual setup and maintenance.
• Granola AI: Works directly with macOS and captures audio from popular platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams without needing a bot.

Verdict: Granola AI is more convenient for real-time meeting notes, while Obsidian’s integrations require more effort but offer greater flexibility.

AI Capabilities

AI features can significantly improve note-taking efficiency.

• Obsidian: Limited AI support; relies on plugins for advanced capabilities, but they aren’t always seamless.
• Granola AI: Built around AI, offering real-time transcription, meeting summaries, and an AI-powered Q&A assistant.

Verdict: Granola AI is the clear winner for AI capabilities, offering more automation and smarter insights.

Which One Is Right For You?

Choosing between Obsidian and Granola AI depends on how you like to take notes and what kind of support you need. Both tools serve different purposes, so the right pick comes down to your workflow and priorities.

Obsidian Is Best For

• Personal knowledge management: Perfect for organizing complex ideas, research, and long-term projects.
• Offline access: Works without an internet connection, keeping your notes fully in your control.
• Customization lovers: Offers endless plugins and themes to shape the app exactly how you want.
• Visual thinkers: The graph view helps you see connections between your notes in a unique and interactive way.
• Budget-conscious users: The free plan includes most core features, making it an affordable powerhouse.

Granola AI Is Best For

• Meeting-heavy schedules: Ideal for professionals with back-to-back meetings who need quick, polished notes.
• Real-time transcription: Captures audio seamlessly without bots and turns it into clear, actionable summaries.
• AI-driven insights: The AI Q&A feature helps you find key points from past meetings in seconds.
• Multilingual teams: Supports multiple languages, making it versatile for international collaborations.
• Simplicity seekers: Works in the background without much setup, so you can focus on your discussions.

FAQs

1. Can Obsidian and Granola AI be used for the same purpose?

Not really. Obsidian is better suited for personal knowledge management, long-term projects, and organizing complex ideas. It’s highly customizable and works offline, making it great for detailed, interconnected notes. Granola AI, on the other hand, shines in capturing and summarizing meeting discussions. It’s designed for real-time transcription and AI-powered insights, perfect for fast-paced work environments.

2. Does Granola AI work on Windows devices?

Not yet. As of now, Granola AI is only available for macOS users. Windows users can join a waitlist, but there’s no official release date for broader compatibility. If you’re a Windows user looking for an AI-driven note-taking tool, you’ll need to explore other options or wait for Granola’s expansion.

3. How secure is Obsidian for handling sensitive data?

Obsidian is highly secure because it works offline by default, and your notes are stored locally on your device. This minimizes the risk of data breaches or leaks. If you choose to use their sync service, it offers end-to-end encryption to keep your information protected across devices.

4. Can Granola AI take notes without attending the meeting?

Yes, Granola AI captures audio directly from your Mac during meetings, even when the app isn’t visible to others. It works in the background without requiring bots to join your calls, keeping your workflow smooth and unobtrusive. Just remember to let participants know that the meeting is being recorded for ethical and legal reasons.

5. Which tool is more affordable: Obsidian or Granola AI?

Obsidian offers a free plan with most of its core features, making it a budget-friendly option. Even its paid sync and commercial plans are reasonably priced. Granola AI, on the other hand, has a higher monthly cost, especially for individual users, though it offers advanced AI-driven features tailored for meetings.

6. Does Obsidian offer AI-powered features like Granola AI?

No, Obsidian doesn’t have built-in AI capabilities. Its strength lies in its extensive customization options, plugin support, and powerful knowledge management features. If you’re looking for AI-driven transcription, meeting summaries, and insights, Granola AI is the better choice.

Wrap-Up!

Both Obsidian and Granola AI bring something unique to the table. Obsidian stands out for its offline access, customizability, and powerful knowledge management. It’s perfect for organizing long-term projects and creating a personal knowledge base. Granola AI, on the other hand, is built for fast-paced environments, turning meetings into clear, actionable notes with the help of AI.

If security and privacy are your top priorities — especially when handling sensitive financial data — you might want to explore Knapsack. As one of the first private AI note-takers, Knapsack ensures your confidential information stays safe without sacrificing efficiency.

Ready to find the best AI note-taker for your needs? Take a closer look at these tools and see which one fits your workflow best.