Choose Obsidian if
- You want a flexible collection of local Markdown files.
- You enjoy choosing plugins and shaping your own writing system.
- Your work ranges well beyond fiction and does not need a prescribed story structure.
Comparison · Checked 6 September 2026
New Quest vs Obsidian
Obsidian is a note-taking app that stores Markdown files on your device. Links, a graph, Canvas and plugins let you organise your own writing and research system.
Obsidian lets you shape a general-purpose collection of notes. New Quest offers a fiction-first workspace, with story planning and craft guidance already given a place.
Product information checked on 6 September 2026. Features and offers can change. The fit recommendations are our assessment, not a ranking. If we have it wrong, tell us.Read Obsidian's product information.
The ledger
The same question, asked of both.
How is the writing organised?
Obsidian
Notes are files you organise yourself. Links, Canvas and plugins can support a manuscript or a research collection.
New Quest
A fiction-first workspace for chapters, scenes, story notes and practical craft guidance. Start with the manuscript; neither a course nor an AI account is required.
Where does the work live?
Obsidian
Notes live on your device and can be used offline. Optional Sync and Publish services are separate choices.
New Quest
Write in your browser with no account, or on the free trial or Cloud with your books saved to your account. The new desktop studio is in testing. Complete cross-device sync, native phone parity and the integrated assistant are not finished services.
What happens to the notes outside the app?
Obsidian
The underlying Markdown files can be opened in other compatible tools. Plugin-specific behaviour may not transfer.
New Quest
Export saved work and keep an independent copy. Browser reading and export remain available after the writing trial. Check the result in your next tool; do not assume publishing or specialist nonfiction formatting is handled for you.
What do I pay for?
Obsidian
The core app is free. Check the current terms for optional Sync and Publish services.
New Quest
The free trial includes 30 writing days. Cloud is $8 a month or $79 a year, with 1 GiB of storage. The Guild is free. The developing local desktop studio is free and separate from Cloud.
Choosing
One of these is probably you.
Choose New Quest if
- You want writing, story planning and practical craft guidance in the same workspace, and you are comfortable trying a product being built in public.
- You want to write without AI, or choose assistance for particular tasks without buying New Quest AI credits.
- You want fiction-first tools with extra depth for fantasy, progression and serial writing. You do not need to use the game mechanics.
Free for 30 writing days, saved to your account. No AI needed.
Questions
What people ask before switching.
Do I need an AI subscription?
No. Writing, planning and learning do not require one. An optional external provider has its own access rules, usage limits and charges. Cloud does not include AI usage.
Should I move my whole book immediately?
Start with a copy of a chapter. Try drafting, revision and export before moving more. Keep the original project and an independent backup. We do not promise lossless conversion of every other tool's notes, links or formatting.
Does everything work across desktop, web and mobile?
Not yet. Writing in the browser works today; the desktop studio is in testing and keeps a separate library. Complete sync, native phone parity and the integrated desktop assistant are still being developed. Choose based on what you can use today.