Platform Availability
| Platform | Roam Research | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | — | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | — |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| macOS | ✓ | ✓ |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Roam Research | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Block References | ✓ | — |
| Code Highlighting | — | ✓ |
| Custom CSS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Themes | — | ✓ |
| Daily Notes | ✓ | ✓ |
| End-to-end Encryption | — | ✓ |
| Focus Mode | — | ✓ |
| Formatting Options | ✓ | — |
| Graph View | ✓ | — |
| Image Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Link Previews | ✓ | ✓ |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple Panes | — | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | — | ✓ |
| Publishing | — | ✓ |
| Queries | ✓ | — |
| Real-time Sync | ✓ | — |
| Search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sidebar | ✓ | — |
| Tag Browsing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✓ | ✓ |
| Version History | — | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Roam Research
Model: Paid
Monthly: $15
Free tier: No
Pro at $15/month or $165/year, Believer at $500/5 years
Obsidian
Model: Freemium
Monthly: $0-12
Free tier: Yes
Free for personal use, Sync at $4/month, Publish at $8/month, Commercial license at $50/user/year
Pros and Cons
Roam Research
Pros
- ✓ Pioneering bidirectional linking
- ✓ Block references with unique IDs
- ✓ Daily notes with chronological capture
- ✓ Interactive sidebar for cross-referencing
- ✓ Advanced filtering by tags and contributors
- ✓ Entire graph stored locally for speed
- ✓ Active community with sophisticated workflows
Cons
- ⚠ No free tier ($15/month minimum)
- ⚠ Steep learning curve
- ⚠ Can be slow with very large graphs
- ⚠ Limited formatting compared to rich-text editors
- ⚠ Mobile apps less polished than desktop
Obsidian
Pros
- ✓ Fully offline
- ✓ Fast and lightweight
- ✓ Huge plugin ecosystem
- ✓ Data ownership
Cons
- ⚠ Steeper learning curve
- ⚠ Sync requires payment
- ⚠ Mobile app less powerful
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Obsidian if...
- You want a free tier
- You need offline access
- Privacy is a top priority
- You use Linux