Choose Obsidian if you need
- CLI or Chrome extension. We haven't found them on Roam's website.
At a glance
- Obsidian has a free plan. We haven't confirmed one for Roam.
- Roam offers a free trial (31 days). We haven't confirmed one for Obsidian.
- Obsidian's lowest paid plan is Sync at $4 per user per month, billed annually, as of October 23, 2026.
- Roam's lowest paid plan is Pro at $15 per month, or $165 per year, as of October 28, 2026.
- Both are available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
- Only Obsidian lists CLI and Chrome extension.
- Only Roam lists Chrome.
- Both have a public API.
From each tool's own website, checked on the dates below, and from published reviews.
Which to choose
From the facts checked for both tools, not from opinion. A fact we haven't confirmed for one of them is never counted.
Choose Roam if you need
- Chrome. We haven't found it on Obsidian's website.
Obsidian
Nobody has reviewed Obsidian yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review Obsidian
Roam
Nobody has reviewed Roam yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review RoamThe facts
- What it does
- ObsidianThe free and flexible app for your private thoughts
- RoamA note-taking tool for networked thought.
- Free plan
- ObsidianYes
- RoamNot confirmed
- Pricing
- ObsidianNot confirmed
- RoamNot confirmed
- Paid plans from
- ObsidianSync: $4 per user per month, billed annually
What they share
From the platforms and integrations each website lists.
Platforms
Both
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
Only Obsidian
- CLI
- Chrome extension
Only Roam
- Chrome
People who switched
Reviewers who say they used one of these before the other.
No reviewer has said they moved between Obsidian and Roam yet.
Used either of them?
Your review makes this comparison better for the next person. Review Obsidian or review Roam.