If you prioritize privacy, customization, and personal organization, choose Obsidian. It excels in offering a robust knowledge base and works on multiple platforms, including local storage for your data. However, if you need real-time collaboration or prefer cloud storage, Obsidian might not meet your needs.
On the other hand, if you are a developer who requires fast performance and collaborative editing, Zed is the superior option. Its built-in AI features and open-source nature cater well to technical users, especially those on macOS and Linux. Just keep in mind that if you need Windows support or rely heavily on VS Code extensions, Zed may not be the right fit for you.
| Pricing | Free | Free |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | windows, mac, linux, web, ios, android | mac, linux |
| Rating | No reviews | No reviews |
| Best for | ||
| AI assistance |
Your private knowledge base and note-taking app.
Visit ObsidianA blazingly fast, collaborative editor in Rust
Visit Zed| Native |
| Cloud sync | Limited | Not supported |
|---|
| Command palette | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Dark mode | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Extensions / plugins | Native | Limited |
|---|
| Keyboard shortcuts | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Mobile app | Native | Not supported |
|---|
| Offline support | Native | Not supported |
|---|
| Open source | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Real-time collaboration | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Theming | Not supported | Native |
|---|
| Version history | Native | Not supported |
|---|
| Pros |
|
|
|---|
| Cons |
|
|
|---|
| Ideal for |
|
|
|---|
| Avoid if |
|
|
|---|
AI verdict· generated Jul 24, 2026How we pick
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money