Best Second Brain Apps
Our curated selection of the top 10 tools. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your needs.
TL;DR
- 1Obsidian(8.0/10) — You're an individual or small team focused on powerful knowledge management at a low cost.. Affordable and feature-rich.
- 2Roam Research(7.4/10) — Pick Roam Research if you're a researcher or thinker needing advanced networked note-taking for complex ideas.. Feature-rich and great integrations.
- 3Scrintal(7.2/10) — Your team prioritizes visual thinking and mind mapping for brainstorming sessions.. Easy to use and affordable.
Why Obsidian is #1 for second brain apps
Our Picks
Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking and knowledge management tool that helps you organize your thoughts.
Logseq
Logseq is a powerful knowledge management and note-taking tool.
Scrintal
Visual thinking canvas with connected notes and mind maps
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Rating | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Free — Paid plans from $8/mo for additional features | 4.2 | 8.0 | knowledge workers who value data ownership and linked thinki |
| Roam Research | Free — From $15/user/mo | 3.7 | 7.4 | researchers and thinkers building personal knowledge graphs. |
| Scrintal | Free / From $9/mo | 3.7 | 7.2 | visual thinkers managing research and complex knowledge work |
| Logseq | Free — From $5/user/mo for premium features | 3.8 | 7.8 | privacy-conscious thinkers building interconnected personal |
| Tana | Free — From $10/user/mo | 4.1 | 7.2 | power users who want deeply structured knowledge management. |
Detailed Rankings
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking and knowledge management tool that helps you organize your thoughts.
Skip if: you need steep learning curve for non-technical users
Roam Research is a powerful note-taking tool designed for networked thought.
Skip if: you need steep learning curve for new users
Visual thinking canvas with connected notes and mind maps
Skip if: you need smaller ecosystem compared to notion or obsidian
Logseq is a powerful knowledge management and note-taking tool.
Tana is a versatile productivity tool that combines notes, tasks, and knowledge management in one place.
Supernotes is a collaborative note-taking tool that enhances productivity.
Amplenote is a powerful productivity and notes tool designed for efficient information management.
Capacities is a productivity tool that streamlines note-taking and task management.
Reflect is a productivity tool that helps users capture and organize their thoughts effortlessly.
How to Choose
When choosing the right tool for “best second brain apps”, consider: your team size and budget, must-have features vs nice-to-haves, integration with your existing tools, and long-term pricing scalability. Start with free trials when available — most tools on this list offer them.
Former SaaS product manager turned analyst. Personally tested 200+ tools and built the scoring methodology behind SaasHunter rankings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best second brain apps?
Based on user ratings and features, Obsidian is the top pick for best second brain apps. Other strong options include Roam Research, Scrintal, Logseq.
Are there free options for productivity & notes?
Yes, Obsidian, Logseq, Notion offer free plans in the Productivity & Notes category.
How did we rank these tools?
Tools are ranked based on keyword relevance to the use case, user ratings from the SaasHunter community, and feature coverage. Featured tools with strong ratings rank higher.
How often is this list updated?
This list is updated automatically as new tools are added and user ratings change. Pricing and feature information is refreshed regularly.
Problems These Tools Solve
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