Obsidian vs. Read AI

AI note-taking tools have become essential for professionals managing complex information. For financial experts, investment bankers, and portfolio managers, the right tool isn’t just about convenience — it’s about security and precision.

Obsidian and Read AI both offer advanced features, but they cater to different needs. Understanding their strengths can help you decide which tool aligns best with your workflow and data sensitivity requirements.

Let’s dive into the details and see how these two tools stack up.

Key Differences Between Obsidian And Read AI

Obsidian and Read AI take very different approaches to AI-powered note-taking. While Obsidian focuses on customization and offline capabilities, Read AI leans into automation and real-time transcription. Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature

Obsidian

Read AI

Data Security

Local storage, full privacy

Cloud-based, data shared with servers

AI Capabilities

Plugins, third-party integrations

Automated transcription and meeting summaries

Customization

Highly customizable with plugins and themes

Limited customization, focused on automation

Collaboration

Mostly solo use, some shared vault options

Real-time collaboration and sharing

Offline Access

Full offline access

Requires internet connection

Ease of use

Steep learning curve, but powerful

User-friendly, minimal setup needed

Obsidian Features

Obsidian stands out as a powerful, markdown-based note-taking tool designed for deep thinking and knowledge management. It’s known for its ability to create a network of interconnected notes, making it more than just a place to store ideas — it’s a workspace for building a “second brain.”

Obsidian’s flexibility and emphasis on structure make it especially appealing for professionals handling complex projects and detailed information. With a strong focus on privacy and offline capabilities, it’s ideal for users who prioritize data security alongside advanced features.

Key Features

• Linked Notes: Obsidian’s unique backlinking feature helps you create connections between related ideas, building a web of knowledge.
• Graph View: Visualize your notes as an interconnected map, making it easy to spot relationships and gaps in your thinking.
• Markdown Support: Write and format notes using a simple, efficient text-based system.
• Plugin Ecosystem: Extend Obsidian’s functionality with a wide range of community-created plugins.
• Offline Access: Keep your data stored locally, offering full privacy and access without an internet connection.
• Customization: Personalize your workspace with themes and adjustable layouts tailored to your workflow.

Pros

• Boosts Productivity: Keeps all your notes organized in one place, helping you stay focused and efficient.
• Enhances Learning: Linking features encourage active learning and deeper understanding of complex topics.
• Customizable Interface: Adjust the layout and look of your workspace to match your needs and style.

Cons

• Slight Learning Curve: Mastering all of Obsidian’s features takes time and practice.
• Requires Maintenance: Keeping your note network organized needs regular attention and effort.

Pricing

Obsidian offers a free version for personal use, while paid plans provide additional features like commercial use, sync options, and advanced publishing tools.

Read AI Features

Read.ai is built to enhance meeting productivity with a wide range of AI-powered tools. It offers real-time transcription, sentiment analysis, and action item detection, making it easy to keep track of important discussions and decisions.

The platform integrates seamlessly with popular video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. While Read.ai provides valuable insights, its sentiment analysis can sometimes misinterpret engagement levels, especially in diverse cultural settings. Its pricing structure is transparent, but the free plan has notable limitations, like restricted video playback and potential gaps in record retention.

Key Features

• Real-Time Transcription: Captures conversations as they happen with accurate text conversion.
• Sentiment Analysis: Gauges the emotional tone of meetings to assess engagement and feedback.
• Action Item Detection: Automatically highlights key tasks and follow-ups discussed during meetings.
• Multi-Platform Integration: Works smoothly with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
• AI-Driven Insights: Provides data on meeting effectiveness and participant engagement.
• Meeting Metrics: Tracks participation, speaking time, and overall interaction patterns.

Pros

• Feature-Rich Platform: Offers transcription, sentiment analysis, and action item detection in one tool.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple and organized dashboard, easy for all technical skill levels.
• Strong Integrations: Connects well with major video conferencing platforms.
• Transparent Pricing: Clear, tiered pricing with no hidden fees.
• Reliable Support: Provides quick and knowledgeable customer service.

Cons

• Free Plan Limitations: No video playback and risk of record deletion.
• Individual Licensing: Requires separate licenses for each user, complicating team management.
• Security Concerns: Unclear compliance with GDPR and other data protection standards.

Pricing

• Free Plan: 10 meetings per month, core features included.
• Pro Plan: $19.75/month ($15 with annual payment), unlimited meetings up to 4 hours.
• Enterprise Plan: $29.75/month ($22.50 with annual payment), adds video playback and highlights.
• Enterprise+ Plan: $39.75/month ($29.75 with annual payment), includes advanced security features.

Comparison: Obsidian vs Read AI

When choosing between Obsidian and Read.ai, it’s important to look at how they stack up on the features that matter most. Both tools offer unique strengths, but their focus and functionality differ significantly. Let’s compare them across key areas like pricing, ease of use, transcription capabilities, customization, and more.

Pricing

Obsidian offers a more budget-friendly approach, with a generous free plan and affordable paid options. It’s a one-time purchase for advanced features, making it cost-effective in the long run. Read.ai, on the other hand, uses a subscription model with multiple tiers. While it offers a free plan, the paid options can get pricey, especially for enterprise-level features.

• Obsidian: Free for personal use; one-time payment for commercial use and additional plugins.
• Read.ai: Tiered pricing from $19.75 to $39.75 per month per license; free plan limited to 10 meetings/month.

Transcription Capabilities

This is where Read.ai shines — it’s designed for real-time transcription and meeting analysis. It captures conversations accurately and provides detailed transcripts almost instantly. Obsidian, however, is a note-taking app and doesn’t offer any transcription capabilities, so if live transcription is a must-have, Read.ai is the clear winner.

• Obsidian: No transcription features.
• Read.ai: Real-time transcription with accurate text conversion and action item detection.

Ease of Use

Obsidian’s interface is highly customizable, but that also means there’s a learning curve. It takes some time to understand features like backlinks and the graph view. Read.ai is more straightforward, with a clean dashboard and intuitive design — perfect for users who want quick setup and easy navigation.

• Obsidian: Flexible but requires effort to master.
• Read.ai: User-friendly, simple setup, and easy-to-navigate interface.

Customization and Flexibility

Obsidian is known for its incredible customization options. You can tweak the interface, use custom themes, and install plugins to expand its functionality. It’s perfect for those who want a workspace tailored to their needs. Read.ai, while powerful, offers fewer customization options — it’s designed for meetings, not for personalized workflows.

• Obsidian: Extensive customization with plugins and themes.
• Read.ai: Limited customization; focused on meeting productivity features.

Integration with Other Tools

Both tools support integrations, but in different ways. Obsidian works well with Markdown files and offers third-party plugin support, allowing advanced workflows. Read.ai integrates directly with major video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, making it a better fit for meeting-heavy environments.

• Obsidian: Works with Markdown and supports a wide range of community plugins.
• Read.ai: Seamless integration with video conferencing platforms.

Data Management and Security

When it comes to data control, Obsidian keeps everything local unless you choose to sync through its paid service. This gives you full ownership of your notes. Read.ai stores meeting data on its servers, which raises potential privacy concerns, especially around data retention and compliance with global regulations like GDPR.

• Obsidian: Local storage with optional encrypted sync.
• Read.ai: Cloud-based storage; data retention policies vary by plan.

Which One Is Better?

Both Obsidian and Read.ai serve different purposes, so the right choice depends on what you need. If you’re looking for a structured way to manage your thoughts and research, Obsidian is a great option. If your focus is on meetings, transcription, and AI-powered insights, Read.ai is the better fit. Here’s a breakdown of who benefits most from each tool.

Obsidian is best for

• Researchers and Writers: The backlinking and graph view make it ideal for connecting ideas and organizing research.
• Knowledge Workers: Professionals who need a "second brain" to store and link complex information.
• Developers and Technical Users: Its Markdown-based approach and plugin support allow for deep customization.
• Offline Note-Takers: Since Obsidian stores everything locally, it’s a great option for those who prefer to work without relying on cloud storage.
• Anyone Who Prefers Full Control Over Data: No forced cloud sync means your notes stay private unless you choose to sync them.

Read.ai is best for

• Business Professionals: Those who attend frequent virtual meetings and need accurate transcription and summaries.
• Teams and Organizations: Companies looking for AI-powered meeting insights, action item detection, and engagement analytics.
• Financial Experts and Investment Professionals: Anyone handling sensitive discussions who needs meeting documentation.
• Users Who Rely on Video Conferencing: Since Read.ai integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, it’s a great tool for remote collaboration.
• Those Who Want Automated Meeting Insights: AI-generated sentiment analysis and action items help teams stay on top of key takeaways.

Wrap-Up!

Both Obsidian and Read.ai offer powerful features, but they cater to different needs. Obsidian shines when it comes to personal knowledge management and deep note organization. Read.ai, on the other hand, is designed for meeting productivity with its real-time transcription and AI-driven insights.

If you handle sensitive financial data and need a secure, private AI note-taking solution, Knapsack is worth considering. It’s one of the first AI note-takers focused on privacy, making it a great option for investment professionals and portfolio managers.

Ready to upgrade your note-taking game? Explore these tools and find the one that fits your workflow best.