

⚡ Kort oordeel:
- Prijzen: Capacities Pro starts at $9.99/month. The Obsidian app is free, with Sync from $4/month.
- Het meest geschikt voor: Capacities suits visual, object-based note taking. Obsidian suits markdown notes and local control.
- Belangrijkste verschil: Capacities offers a built-in AI-assistent. Obsidian adds AI through community plugins.
- Onze keuze: Capacities for most users who want a studio for your mind that works out of the box.

Both apps promise to become your second brain.
Maar ze bewandelen heel verschillende paden om daar te komen.
Capacities is an object-based notitie-app with a built-in AI assistant.
Obsidian stores markdown notes on your local machine and adds AI through plugins.
One feels like an artist’s studio. The other feels like a developer’s toolkit.
This guide breaks down both note taking apps so you can pick with confidence.
Overzicht
This Capacities vs Obsidian comparison covers pricing, key features, and ease of use.
We also look at how each app handles your personal knowledge base.
Onze bronnen omvatten gepubliceerde specificaties, documentatie en gebruikersrecensies.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each note taking application.
By the end, you will know which tool fits your workflow.
Wat is capaciteit?
Capacities is an object-based note taking app for creative thinking.
It turns people, meetings, and books into linked objects, not plain pages.
This helps you build a personal knowledge base with hidden connections.
The app calls itself a studio for your mind for a reason.
You collect notes, then connect ideas to spark new content and new ideas.
Watch the walkthrough below to see it in action.

Capaciteiten
A visual note taking app that links objects, not folders. It ships with a powerful AI assistant and a fast search across apparaten.
Capaciteitsprijzen
Here is what Capacities costs in 2026. The free version covers the basics.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Vrij | $0 | Trying object-based note taking |
| Pro | $9,99/maand | Daily users who want AI features |
| Gelovige | $12,49/maand | Fans who want to support the developer |
Pricing verified January 2026.

Gratis proefperiode: The free version has no time limit. You can upgrade any time.
Facturering: Annual plans cost less per month than paying month to month.
📌 Opmerking: The AI assistant and daily notes live on paid plans. The free version still lets you create notes and objects.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: AI features count against a monthly quota. Heavy users may hit the cap in a single month.
Belangrijkste voordelen van capaciteiten
Here is what makes Capacities worth a look:
- Objects Over Folders: You build notes around objects like people and books. This shows relationships, similar to a mind map.
- AI-assistent: The built-in AI assistant can brainstorm ideas and help you write. It works as a powerful assistant right inside your notes.
- Krachtige zoekfunctie: A powerful search find tool surfaces notes fast. You can search across your whole knowledge base in seconds.
- Snel vastleggen: Quick capture and a share sheet save content from web pages. Save links, text, and images on the go.
- Dagelijkse notities & kalender: Daily notes and a calendar keep your log and tasks in one place. This supports journaling and planning.
- Synchronisatie tussen apparaten: A desktop app, web app, iOS app, and Android build stay in sync. Your data follows you across devices.

Wat ons team opmerkte
Ons schrijver signed up for Capacities and spent several days building a small vault. Here is what stood out during that hands-on time:

Capaciteiten, voordelen en nadelen
✅ Voordelen
- Object-based system links notes in a visual, intuitive way
- Built-in AI assistant needs no setup or API keys
- Clean design makes it easy to learn
- Free version lets you test the app fully
❌ Nadelen
- AI features and daily notes need a paid plan
- No local markdown files, so your data lives in the cloud
- Fewer plugins than open apps like Obsidian
Wat is obsidiaan?
Obsidian is a note taking app built on plain markdown notes.
Every file sits on your local machine, so you own your data.
You link notes together to form a personal knowledge base over time.
Obsidian AI arrives through ai powered plugins, not a built-in tool.
These plugins connect local models or large language models to your obsidian vault.
See the overview video below before we dig into pricing.

Obsidiaan
A local-first markdown app with a huge plugins library. Add smart connections, chat mode, and a text generator through ai tools.
Obsidiaanprijzen
The Obsidian app is free for personal use. You pay only for extra services.
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Synchroniseren | $4/maand | Syncing vault notes across devices |
| Publiceren | $8 per maand | Turning notes into web pages |
| Katalysator | $25 | Vroeg access and supporting the developer |
| Commercieel | $50/jaar | Bedrijf and commercial use |
Pricing verified January 2026.

Gratis proefperiode: The core app is free forever for personal use. No card is needed.
Plugin costs: Some ai powered plugins need an API key. Costs depend on the model you pick.
📌 Opmerking: Copilot and text generator plugins call ChatGPT or Claude. For example, GPT-4 usage runs about $0.01 per 1,000 tokens.
⚠️ Waarschuwing: A commercial account costs $50/year once your team uses Obsidian for work. Personal use stays free.
Key Benefits of Obsidian
Here is what makes Obsidian a favorite among power users:
- Local Markdown Files: Your obsidian notes stay as markdown notes on your own machine. This protects data and keeps files future-proof.
- AI-gestuurde plug-ins: Smart connections, copilot, and a tekstgenerator add ai features. You can even run a local llm for private ai questions.
- Visual Graph: A graph view maps links between notes like a mind map. It reveals hidden connections in your knowledge.
- Huge Plugin Library: A plugins overview shows hundreds of community plug ins. You can shape the app around your own thoughts and workflow.
- Offline & Private: Obsidian works offline and keeps data on-device. This makes it strong for personal knowledge management and research.
- Settings Profiles: Global settings profiles let you switch setups fast. Power users tune tags, themes, and dark mode to taste.

Wat ons team opmerkte
Our writer set up an obsidian vault and installed a few AI-tools to test the workflow. Here is what stood out:

Obsidian Pros & Cons
✅ Voordelen
- Core app is free with local markdown files
- Deep plugin library for endless customization
- Strong privacy with a local-first, offline design
- Graph view surfaces links between notes
❌ Nadelen
- AI needs manual plugin setup and API keys
- Een steilere leercurve voor nieuwe gebruikers
- Sync and commercial use cost extra
Functievergelijking
Let’s compare Capacities and Obsidian across the features that matter most. We’ll look at seven areas, then pricing.
| Functie | Capaciteiten | Obsidiaan |
|---|---|---|
| Startprijs | Free / $9.99 mo | Free app / $4 mo sync |
| Ingebouwde AI-assistent | ✅ | ❌ (via plugins) |
| Local Markdown Notes | ❌ | ✅ |
| Object-Based Notes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Visual Graph / Mind Map | ❌ | ✅ |
| Krachtige zoekfunctie | ✅ | ✅ |
| Offline toegang | ✅ | ✅ |
| Plugins Library | ❌ | ✅ |
| Het beste voor | Visual thinkers | Gevorderde gebruikers |
1. Note-Taking Approach
Capaciteiten: You create notes as objects, such as people, books, and meetings. This object model builds structured content and links notes without folders. It feels less rigid and more organic.

Obsidiaan: You write atomic notes in markdown, then join them with links. Internal linking connects vault notes into a web of relevant information. It rewards users who like plain files and full control.

2. AI Assistant & AI Tools
Capaciteiten: The ai assistant is built in and ready on day one. It can brainstorm ideas, draft text, and answer ai questions from your knowledge base. No API key or config is needed.

Obsidiaan: Obsidian AI comes from ai powered plugins like Copilot and a text generator. These use language models such as ChatGPT, or you can run a local llm. This gives context aware answers with retrieval augmented generation across the entire vault.

⚠️ Waarschuwing: Obsidian’s AI is more flexible but needs setup. You must install plug ins and, in some cases, pay for a language model.
3. Hidden Connections
Capaciteiten: Contextual backlinking shows how objects relate as you write. This surfaces hidden connections and helps new ideas appear on their own.

Obsidiaan: The visual graph maps every link as a living mind map. Smart connections uses semantic similarity, not keywords, to link ideas across different vaults.

4. Powerful Search
Capaciteiten: A powerful search find bar scans every page, tag, and object type. Results appear fast, which keeps quick capture and review smooth.

Obsidiaan: Search covers your whole vault and pairs with a canvas workspace for visual planning. AI plugins add semantic search over obsidian notes for deeper research.

5. Quick Capture & Daily Notes
Capaciteiten: A share sheet save content feature grabs web pages and text on mobile. Daily notes and a calendar tie your log, tasks, and journaling together.

Obsidiaan: Daily notes create one page per day with date magic and templates. Community plug ins add quick capture from the web and other apps.
6. Customization & Structured Content
Capaciteiten: Custom object types let you model tasks, projects, and people your way. Templates and tags keep structured content tidy without heavy config.

Obsidiaan: Custom themes, dark mode, and powered templates reshape the app. Global settings profiles and various global settings profiles suit users who love to tinker.
7. Offline Access & Devices
Capaciteiten: A desktop app, web app, and mobile app keep notes in sync across devices. Templating and offline edits keep you working with no internet.

Obsidiaan: Obsidian runs offline by default since files live on your device. Sync is a paid add-on when you want notes on android and other devices.
8. Prijsbepaling en kosten
Laten we de prijsplannen eens naast elkaar vergelijken.
| Plan | Capaciteiten | Obsidiaan |
|---|---|---|
| Vrij | Full free version | Free app for personal use |
| Toegang betaald | Pro $9.99/month | Sync $4/month |
| Hogere categorie | Believer $12.49/month | Publish $8/month |
| One-Time / Yearly | — | Catalyst $25 / Commercial $50/year |
Capaciteiten: One monthly price unlocks AI features, daily notes, and full sync. It is simple to plan around for a single month or a year.
Obsidiaan: The app is free, so you pay only for sync, publish, or a commercial account. AI plugin costs sit on top if you use paid language models.
Verschillende scenario's
| Als u het nodig heeft... | Kiezen | Waarom |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in AI, no setup | Capaciteiten | AI assistant ready on day one |
| Local files you own | Obsidiaan | Markdown notes on your machine |
| Visual object notes | Capaciteiten | Objectgebaseerd notities maken |
| Deep customization | Obsidiaan | Huge plugins library |
| Beginnersvriendelijke start | Capaciteiten | Clean design, easy to learn |
💰 Jouw budget
Obsidian wins on raw cost since the app is free. Capacities costs $9.99/month for AI, but a free version exists.
🤖 Jouw AI-behoeften
Capacities gives you a powerful assistant with zero config. Obsidian offers more control through ai tools if you like to tinker.
🔒 Your Data Control
Obsidian keeps data in local files you fully own. Capacities stores your knowledge base in the cloud with sync across devices.
🎓 Jouw ervaringsniveau
New users learn faster with Capacities and its clean layout. Obsidian rewards patience with deep power once you climb the curve.
🆓 Gratis proefversies en demo's
Both let you start free with no card. Test each app on a real project before you pay for a plan.
🛟 Ondersteuningsopties
Obsidian leans on a large forum and community plugins. Capacities offers clear docs and a team that ships new features often.
Overstaphandleiding
Gebruik je al een van deze tools? Dit kun je verwachten als je overstapt.
🔄 Switching from Capacities to Obsidian?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- Local markdown files you fully own and control
- A deep plugin library and a local llm option
- A free core app with no monthly fee
❌ Wat je verliest:
- The built-in AI assistant that needs no setup
- Object-based notes and custom object types
- The polished, beginner-friendly design
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Export your Capacities notes to markdown
- Create a new obsidian vault on your device
- Import the files and install your first plug ins
🔄 Switching from Obsidian to Capacities?
✅ Wat je eraan hebt:
- A built-in AI assistant with no config
- Object-based notes that show relationships
- A cleaner start for creative thinking
❌ Wat je verliest:
- Local markdown files stored on your machine
- The large plugins overview and community plug ins
- Full offline-first control of your data
📋 Zo schakel je over:
- Copy the text from your obsidian notes
- Create a free Capacities account
- Rebuild key pages as objects and add tags
Wat onze recensie niet behandelde
This comparison focused on solo users and small teams. We didn’t test large team workflows or every plugin in the plugins overview. Our notes reflect the January 2026 versions, so new features may have shipped since. If you rely on niche ai powered plugins or handwriting, your experience may differ.
Eindconclusie
| Categorie | Winnaar |
|---|---|
| 💰 Prijzen | Obsidiaan |
| 🤖 AI-assistent | Capaciteiten |
| 🔒 Data Control | Obsidiaan |
| 🎯 Gebruiksgemak | Capaciteiten |
| 🧩 Customization | Obsidiaan |
| 🎨 Design & Onboarding | Capaciteiten |
| 🏆 Algemene winnaar | Capaciteiten |
🏆 WINNAAR: CAPACITEITEN
Capacities wins the tie-breakers on ease of use and its built-in AI.
Het meest geschikt voor: visual note taking, creative thinking, and a fast start with an AI assistant.
Capacities and Obsidian solve the same goal in different ways. Both help you build a second brain and a personal knowledge base.
Capacities is a studio for your mind with a ready AI assistant. It suits people who want to create amazing things without setup.
Obsidian is a local-first powerhouse for markdown notes and privacy. It shines for users who want to own their data and add ai powered plugins.
If you value control and free software, Obsidian is excellent. For most people who want speed and built-in AI, Capacities is the better pick.
Meer informatie over de capaciteiten vergeleken
Here is how Capacities stacks up against other note taking apps:
Capaciteiten versus Begrip
Capaciteit wint op: object-based notes, faster creative thinking, cleaner focus for a knowledge base
Notion wint op: databases, team collaboration, a bigger set of new content templates
Capaciteiten versus Elk type
Capaciteit wint op: built-in AI assistant, polished web app, easier daily notes
Anytype wint op: local-first storage, open source code, offline-only privacy
Capaciteiten versus Ambacht
Capaciteit wint op: hidden connections, custom object types, powerful search find speed
Craft wint op: document polish, sharing, native Apple app feel
More of Obsidian Compared
Here is how Obsidian compares to other note taking apps:
Obsidian wint op: local markdown notes, offline speed, private ai tools with a local llm
Notion wint op: shared workspaces, structured databases, browser-based access anywhere
Obsidian wint op: mature plug ins, the visual graph, more ai powered plugins
Anytype wint op: object model, built-in sync, encrypted-by-default storage
Obsidian vs ClickUp
Obsidian wint op: distraction-free writing, vault chat with AI, data you host yourself
ClickUp wint op: project tasks, team dashboards, deadline and ticket tracking
Veelgestelde vragen
Zijn de capaciteiten beter dan die van Obsidian?
It depends on your workflow. Capacities is better for visual, object-based note taking with built-in AI. Obsidian is better for local markdown notes, privacy, and deep plugins.
Is Capacities.io gratis?
Yes. Capacities has a free version with no time limit. Paid Pro plans start at $9.99/month and unlock the AI assistant and daily notes.
Is Obsidian AI gratis?
The Obsidian app is free, and some plugins like Smart Connections are free too. Others, such as Copilot, need a paid API key from providers like OpenAI.
Maakt Capacities gebruik van AI?
Yes. Capacities includes a built-in AI assistant on paid plans. It can brainstorm ideas, draft text, and answer questions from your own knowledge base.
Waar is Obsidian AI goed voor?
Obsidian AI suits solo research and personal knowledge management. Plugins add context aware answers, semantic search, and chat over your entire vault while your files stay local.













