Best Markdown Editors Compared: Obsidian vs Notion vs Typora vs Diwadi (2025)

Honest comparison of the top markdown editors. Find the right tool for your workflow - whether you need AI features, privacy, collaboration, or professional document export.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Notion	Obsidian	Typora	iA Writer	Diwadi
Price	$0-20/mo	Free + $4-5/mo sync	$15 one-time	$30/platform	Free
True Markdown	❌ Proprietary	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
AI Features	✅ Cloud (GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7)	❌ No	❌ No	⚠️ Style checking only	✅ Local AI
Privacy	⚠️ Cloud upload	🔒 Local-first	🔒 Local	🔒 Local	🔒 Local + AI
Collaboration	✅✅✅ Real-time	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	⚠️ Export
PDF Export	✅ Basic	⚠️ Via plugins	✅ Good	✅ Good	✅ Professional
Learning Curve	⚠️ Medium	⚠️ Steep	✅ Easy	✅ Easy	✅ Easiest (AI)
Best For	Teams, databases	Knowledge graphs	Writers, WYSIWYG	Minimalists	Everyone

The Core Differences

Markdown Format: Portability vs Lock-In

⚠️ Notion:

❌ Not true Markdown - Uses proprietary block format
⚠️ Export creates messy markdown with UUIDs
⚠️ Vendor lock-in risk - Hard to migrate away
👍 Good for: Teams that prioritize collaboration over portability

✅ Obsidian, Typora, iA Writer, Diwadi:

✅ Standard Markdown - Plain .md files
✅ Future-proof, portable, version-controllable (Git)
✅ No vendor lock-in - Your files, your control
👍 Good for: Anyone who values data ownership

Why this matters: If Notion shuts down or changes pricing, your content is trapped. True markdown files work with ANY text editor forever.

Privacy & Data Storage

☁️ Notion:

⚠️ Cloud-based - Content uploaded to servers
⚠️ Subject to their privacy policy
⚠️ Requires internet connection
⚠️ Third-party access possible

🔒 Obsidian, Typora, iA Writer, Diwadi:

✅ Local-first - Files on YOUR device
✅ No cloud upload (unless you choose sync)
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Perfect for sensitive content

Diwadi Unique: Local AI processing - AI runs on your device, not cloud

Try Diwadi - AI-Powered Markdown for Everyone

Get markdown's benefits (portable, future-proof) without the learning curve. AI handles the complexity.

Download Diwadi Free Read Full Comparison

Detailed Comparison

1. Notion - All-in-One Collaboration Workspace

Pros:

✅ Real-time collaboration (like Google Docs)
✅ Databases, kanban boards, wikis
✅ AI features (GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7 in Business plan)
✅ Beautiful templates
✅ 50%+ of Fortune 500 use Notion
✅ Web + mobile + desktop

Cons:

❌ Not true markdown (proprietary format)
❌ Vendor lock-in (hard to migrate)
❌ Cloud-based (privacy concerns)
❌ Expensive ($240/year Business with AI)
⚠️ Can be overwhelming (too many features)
⚠️ Offline mode limited

Best For: Teams needing collaboration, databases, all-in-one workspace

vs Diwadi: Notion = Proprietary + Cloud + $240/year, Diwadi = Standard Markdown + Local + Free

2. Obsidian - Local-First Knowledge Management

Pros:

✅ 100% local, privacy-first
✅ Standard Markdown (.md files)
✅ Knowledge graph visualization
✅ Bidirectional linking
✅ 1,000+ community plugins
✅ No VC backing (indie-owned)
✅ Free for personal use
✅ Offline-first architecture

Cons:

❌ Steep learning curve (complex for beginners)
❌ No AI features (requires third-party plugins)
❌ No real-time collaboration
⚠️ Sync costs $4-5/month ($48-60/year)
⚠️ UI can feel developer-focused
⚠️ Mobile apps less polished

Best For: Personal knowledge management, "second brain" workflows, power users

vs Diwadi: Obsidian = Steep curve + No AI, Diwadi = Easy (AI abstracts complexity) + Built-in AI

3. Typora - Best WYSIWYG Markdown Editor

Pros:

✅ Seamless WYSIWYG (live preview)
✅ Excellent table editor
✅ Clean, distraction-free interface
✅ One-time purchase ($15)
✅ Focus Mode, Typewriter Mode
✅ Export to PDF, HTML, Word
✅ Custom CSS styling support
✅ Mermaid diagrams built-in

Cons:

❌ No AI features
❌ No cloud sync
❌ No collaboration
⚠️ Limited mobile support
⚠️ No built-in publishing
⚠️ Development pace slow

Best For: Writers who want WYSIWYG editing, beautiful UX, one-time purchase

vs Diwadi: Typora = No AI + Manual tables, Diwadi = AI editing + AI tables + AI diagrams

4. iA Writer - Minimalist Writing App

Pros:

✅ Ultra-clean, distraction-free design
✅ Focus Mode (highlights current sentence)
✅ Style checking (weak verbs, repetitions)
✅ Content blocks
✅ Publishing to WordPress, Medium, Ghost
✅ Syntax highlighting

Cons:

❌ Expensive ($30 PER PLATFORM)
❌ No AI features
❌ No collaboration
⚠️ Limited organizational features
⚠️ Basic export options
⚠️ No tables, no diagrams

Best For: Professional writers and bloggers who value minimalism

vs Diwadi: iA Writer = $30-120 (all platforms) + Style checking only, Diwadi = Free + Full AI

5. Diwadi - AI-Powered Markdown for Everyone

Pros:

✅ AI-powered editing (natural language → markdown)
✅ Professional export (styled PDF/Word with templates)
✅ AI table generator (paste CSV or describe)
✅ AI diagrams (Mermaid with AI assistance)
✅ Local-first privacy (AI runs on device)
✅ Standard Markdown (no lock-in)
✅ Zero learning curve (AI handles complexity)
✅ Free (no expensive subscriptions)
✅ Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)

Cons:

⚠️ Limited collaboration (export & share, no real-time)
⚠️ Desktop-focused (mobile companion planned)
⚠️ Newer product (less community vs Obsidian)

Best For:

• Non-technical users who want markdown benefits
• Privacy-conscious professionals (lawyers, doctors, consultants)
• Anyone creating professional documents (reports, proposals)
• Knowledge workers needing smart organization
• Users tired of subscriptions (Notion fatigue)

Cost Comparison (1 Year)

Notion

Free: Limited features
Plus: $96/year (no AI)
Business: $240/year (with AI)

Obsidian

Personal: Free
Sync: $48-60/year
Publish: $120/year

Typora

$15 one-time
Lifetime license
No subscription

iA Writer

$30 per platform
All platforms: $90-120 total

Diwadi

Free
Savings: $48-240/year
vs other tools

Who Should Use What?

Choose Notion If:

✅ You need real-time team collaboration (top priority)
✅ You want all-in-one workspace (docs + databases + projects)
✅ You're comfortable with subscriptions ($96-240/year)
❌ You don't need portability or standard markdown

Choose Obsidian If:

✅ You're building a personal knowledge base / second brain
✅ You want knowledge graph visualization
✅ You're a power user comfortable with learning curve
✅ Privacy is critical (100% local)
❌ You don't need AI features or easy UX

Choose Typora If:

✅ You want best WYSIWYG markdown editing
✅ You love clean, minimalist UX
✅ You prefer one-time purchase ($15)
❌ You don't need AI, collab, or advanced features

Choose iA Writer If:

✅ You're a professional writer needing focus
✅ You want minimalist design
✅ You need style checking
✅ You publish to WordPress/Medium/Ghost
❌ You don't want to pay $30 per platform

Choose Diwadi If:

✅ You want markdown benefits without learning syntax
✅ You need professional document export (styled PDFs/Word)
✅ You want AI features (editing, tables, diagrams)
✅ Privacy is important (local AI processing)
✅ You're budget-conscious (free vs subscriptions)
✅ You create reports, proposals, documentation regularly
✅ You're tired of subscriptions (Notion fatigue)

Ready to Try AI-Powered Markdown?

Get all the benefits of markdown without the technical complexity. AI handles the syntax, you focus on content.

Download Diwadi Free - Mac, Windows, Linux

Free • No credit card • Works offline • Privacy-first

Frequently Asked Questions

Which markdown editor is completely free?

Obsidian (personal use), VS Code, Zettlr, Mark Text, and Joplin are completely free. Diwadi has a free tier. Notion has a limited free tier but charges $8-20/month for full features with AI now bundled in the Business plan at $20/month.

Which is best for privacy?

Obsidian and Diwadi are the privacy champions - both are local-first with 100% offline capabilities. Diwadi goes further with local AI processing (no cloud API calls for AI features). Typora and iA Writer are also local. Avoid Notion if privacy is critical (cloud-based, content uploaded to servers).

Which has the best AI features?

Diwadi has the best AI features with local processing - AI table generation, diagram creation, smart organization, and professional export. Notion has cloud AI (GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7) but requires expensive Business plan ($240/year) and uploads your content to the cloud. Obsidian has no built-in AI.

Which is easiest to learn?

Diwadi is the easiest (AI handles markdown complexity), followed by Typora (WYSIWYG) and iA Writer (minimalist). Obsidian has the steepest learning curve (2-4 weeks for power users).

Which exports the best PDFs?

Diwadi exports the best PDFs with professional templates and AI styling - no LaTeX or CSS knowledge required. Typora has good PDF export. Obsidian requires plugins and manual setup. Notion's PDF export is basic.

Which is best for tables?

Diwadi has AI table generator (describe table or paste CSV → perfect markdown). Typora has an excellent graphical table editor. Notion has great tables but they're not markdown. Obsidian and iA Writer require manual markdown table syntax (painful).

Can I use markdown without learning syntax?

Yes! Diwadi uses AI to abstract syntax completely - you focus on content, AI handles formatting. This makes markdown accessible to non-technical users while keeping all the benefits (portability, version control, future-proof).

Which tools use standard markdown (no lock-in)?

Obsidian, Typora, iA Writer, Diwadi, and Zettlr use standard markdown (.md plain text files). Notion does NOT - it uses a proprietary block format that creates vendor lock-in and makes migration difficult.

What's the difference between Notion and true markdown editors?

Notion uses proprietary blocks, not standard markdown. Your content is locked in Notion's format and cloud servers. True markdown editors (Obsidian, Typora, Diwadi) use plain .md files that work in any text editor, are portable, and you own forever.

Which should I choose for professional documents?

Diwadi is best for professional documents - one-click styled PDFs and Word exports with templates, no technical knowledge needed. If you need real-time team collaboration, use Notion (despite the vendor lock-in).

Bottom Line

Want AI + privacy + professional exports? → Diwadi

Want knowledge graphs + plugins? → Obsidian (power users)

Want team collaboration? → Notion (expensive, lock-in)

Want minimalist WYSIWYG? → Typora (no AI)

Our Recommendation:

Use Diwadi for 90% of markdown work (AI + privacy + exports). Use Notion only when real-time team collaboration is essential.