Capture & notes
OY.Surf vs Obsidian
Obsidian centers on local knowledge and writing. OY.Surf centers on visual files and creative production.
Reviewed October 22, 2026 · Published by OY.Surf
Where Obsidian fits
Obsidian stores notes on your device and offers links, a graph, Canvas, community plugins, and optional Sync and Publish services. Official reference.
Choose Obsidian for a linked knowledge base, writing-centered vault and its customization ecosystem.
Where OY.Surf fits
OY.Surf connects notes to visual files, inspection and image workflows. A note can supply prompt context while related images, PDFs and video remain in the library.
A practical workflow
Keep deep research in Obsidian and use OY.Surf to inspect visual references and turn an approved brief into a repeatable image direction.
What to check before switching
OY.Surf does not reproduce Obsidian’s plugin ecosystem or knowledge-management workflow. Both support local work; privacy alone does not make them interchangeable.
Local processing and cloud choices
OY.Surf’s library and on-device tools work locally. AI models download when needed. Choosing a cloud provider sends the request’s prompt and selected reference to that provider using your key; its charges and policies apply. Adding a key does not upload your library automatically.
The Mac app is free while in beta. This is not a promise of permanent pricing, model-quality parity or a replacement for every feature above. Check the other product’s current plans on its official site.