Should I use Obsidian or a traditional note-taking app for docs and meetings?

[IsabellaA]

I’m trying to decide between Obsidian and a more traditional note-taking app for managing my project documentation and meeting notes. I love how Obsidian uses local Markdown files and backlinking, but I’m worried about the learning curve and whether I’ll actually use all those features long-term.

[Dennis.M]

I tried Obsidian and the local Markdown plus backlinking sounded perfect on paper, but the learning curve was real. I kept it simple at first—one project vault, a daily note, a handful of obvious links—and eventually felt the structure paying off, even if it took longer than I expected.

[ZoeyOS]

I spent a couple of months with it, slapped in a few plugins, set up weekly reviews, and used backlinks here and there. Most days I still defaulted to quick plain notes, and when meetings piled up I resented the extra screens I had to open just to jot a point.

[Luke.B]

Honestly, a traditional note app with folders and quick search feels lighter to pick up. I can drop a meeting note in a project folder, tag things if I need, and share a doc with the team without worrying about vaults or backlinks.

[DonaldHW]

Maybe the real issue isn’t the tool at all. I kept trying to graft a fancy system onto a habit that isn’t there yet. I even started a paper notebook for quick notes and then tried to mirror that in a digital space, which only slowed me down. Do you even need backlinks or are you just trying to keep a neat archive?