Best Roam Research Alternatives in 2024

Roam Research Alternatives: Notion, Obsidian, and Evernote Compared (2024)

Roam Research, with its pioneering approach to networked thought, has carved a niche for itself in the note-taking world. Its emphasis on bidirectional linking and daily notes makes it a powerful tool for connecting ideas. However, its paid subscription model leads many users to seek viable alternatives. This article provides a comprehensive comparison of three popular Roam Research alternatives: Notion, Obsidian, and Evernote. We'll delve into their key differences, pricing models, best use cases, and help you determine which tool best suits your needs.

Key Differences at a Glance

| Feature | Roam Research | Notion | Obsidian | Evernote | |-------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Core Function | Networked Note-Taking | All-in-One Workspace | Knowledge Base on Local Markdown Files | Note-Taking and Organization | | Linking | Bidirectional Links (Core) | Bidirectional Links (Supported) | Bidirectional Links (Core) | One-Directional Links (Supported) | | Data Storage | Cloud-Based | Cloud-Based | Local Storage (Markdown Files) | Cloud-Based | | Offline Access | Limited | Limited | Full Offline Access | Limited | | Collaboration | Real-time Collaboration | Robust Team Collaboration Features | Limited Native Collaboration (via plugins) | Team Collaboration (Business Plans) | | Customization | Limited | Highly Customizable (Databases, Templates) | Highly Customizable (Plugins, Themes) | Limited Customization | | Project Management | Basic | Strong Project Management Capabilities | Limited Project Management Capabilities | Basic | | Learning Curve | Steep | Moderate | Moderate to Steep (depending on plugins) | Easy | | Markdown Support | Limited Markdown Support | Limited Markdown Support | Full Markdown Support | Limited Markdown Support |

Pricing Comparison

• Roam Research: Paid Subscription (significant cost).
• Notion: Freemium. Offers a generous free tier for personal use with limitations on block storage and collaboration. Paid plans unlock more features and storage for teams and enterprises.
• Obsidian: Freemium. The core app is free for personal use. Commercial use and access to Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish require paid subscriptions.
• Evernote: Freemium. The free tier offers basic note-taking capabilities with limitations on device sync and storage. Paid plans unlock more features, storage, and device access.

Winner: Notion and Obsidian offer compelling free tiers making them attractive for users on a budget. Evernote's free tier is more limited, restricting device sync. Roam Research only offers paid plans.

Best Use Cases

• Roam Research: Ideal for researchers, academics, and individuals who prioritize deeply interconnected thinking and idea generation. Best for projects where linking thoughts and concepts is paramount.
• Notion: Perfect for teams and individuals who need an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, project management, knowledge management, and task tracking. Excellent for organizing complex projects and collaborative workflows.
• Obsidian: Suited for writers, researchers, and developers who value privacy, control over their data, and a highly customizable note-taking experience. The Markdown-based approach makes it ideal for long-term knowledge management and future-proofed notes.
• Evernote: Best for capturing information quickly and efficiently across devices, organizing notes with tags and notebooks, and clipping web content. Ideal for simple note-taking, quick references, and basic organization.

Who Should Use Which Tool?

• Choose Roam Research if: You're deeply invested in networked thought, rely heavily on bidirectional linking and daily notes, and are willing to pay for its specific workflow.
• Choose Notion if: You need an all-in-one workspace for managing notes, projects, and team collaboration. You want a highly customizable platform with powerful database features and a collaborative environment.
• Choose Obsidian if: You prioritize privacy, own your data through local Markdown files, and value extensibility through plugins. You're comfortable with Markdown and prefer a distraction-free writing environment.
• Choose Evernote if: You need a simple, reliable note-taking app for capturing information quickly and organizing it efficiently. You prioritize web clipping and OCR search for easy retrieval of information.

Feature Deep Dive: A Closer Look

• Bidirectional Linking: Roam Research and Obsidian excel in this area, making it easy to connect ideas and discover new relationships between notes. Notion supports bidirectional linking but it's not as deeply integrated into the core workflow as it is in Roam and Obsidian. Evernote's linking is primarily one-directional.
• Graph View: Roam Research and Obsidian offer graph views that visually represent the connections between your notes, providing a bird's-eye view of your knowledge base. Notion lacks a native graph view, while Evernote doesn't offer this functionality.
• Data Ownership: Obsidian stores notes locally as Markdown files, giving you complete control over your data. Roam Research, Notion, and Evernote are cloud-based services, meaning your data is stored on their servers. This is a critical consideration for users concerned about privacy and data security.
• Customization: Notion and Obsidian offer extensive customization options. Notion's databases and templates allow you to tailor the platform to your specific needs, while Obsidian's plugin ecosystem provides a vast range of extensions and features. Roam Research has less customization options. Evernote also limits the user when it comes to customisations.
• Project Management: Notion's database features and Kanban boards make it a powerful tool for project management. Roam Research offers basic project management capabilities, while Obsidian requires plugins to achieve similar functionality. Evernote's project management capabilities are limited.