An Obsidian alternative for learning, with nothing to set up
Keep the [[links]] and the graph, skip the plugins. Breef builds in what learning needs: spaced reviews, quizzes written from your notes, and lectures recorded and written up for you.
Why people try Breef instead
Everything below works the moment you sign up.
Spaced reviews, built in
Every note comes back after 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 and 120 days, with no plugin to install or configure.
Quizzes from your notes
When a note is due, Breef asks three questions from it and points to the line with each answer.
Lectures, written up
Record a lecture in a note: Breef transcribes it and writes it up into sections and key points.
Your vault, as it is
Import a folder or a .zip of it, and your notes arrive with their [[links]] and tags, still Markdown.
Breef and Obsidian, side by side
| Feature | Breef | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Where notes live | YesIn your Breef account, the same on every device | YesMarkdown files in a folder on your device |
| Links and a graph | YesLinks both ways, and a map coloured by project, subject or how well you know it | YesLinks, backlinks and a graph view |
| Spaced review | YesBuilt in for every note: 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 and 120 days | In partThrough community plugins |
| Quizzes from your notes | YesThree questions from each due note; 10 new quizzes a month free | In partThrough community plugins |
| Lecture recording | YesRecords a lecture and writes it up into your note | In partRecords audio; writing it up takes plugins |
| Sync across devices | YesIncluded, on every plan | In partObsidian Sync is paid, or bring your own (iCloud, Git…) |
| Getting started | YesReady the moment you sign up | In partVery flexible, with plugins and themes to choose and set up |
| Apps and offline | In partIn the browser on any computer or phone, and installable as an app | YesNative apps for computers and phones that work offline |
| Price | YesFree to start; Pro is €6 a month or €48 a year | YesFree for personal and work use; Sync and Publish are paid |
What’s said here about other apps comes from their own websites, as of October 2026, and may have changed since.
Where Obsidian is stronger
Every app makes trade-offs. These are the ones Breef makes.
- Your notes are plain files on your own device, readable by any editor.
- Works fully offline, with native apps on every platform.
- A large ecosystem of community plugins and themes.
- Publishing notes as a website, with Obsidian Publish.
Moving from Obsidian
Import your vault as it is, as a folder or a .zip: notes arrive with their [[links]] and tags. Breef keeps them as Markdown, and Settings › Export notes gives them all back whenever you like.
Questions
Will my [[links]] still work?
Yes. Links between notes come across as they are, and every note shows the notes that link to it.
Can I get my notes back out?
Any time: Settings › Export notes gives them all back as Markdown files.
Does Breef work offline?
Breef runs in the browser and needs a connection. If working offline matters most, Obsidian is the better fit.
How much does it cost?
Free to start, with reviews, linking and your map free for good. Pro is €6 a month or €48 a year, with sync included on every plan.
More comparisons
Start with one note.
Free to start, nothing to install. Your notes are never sold, used for ads or used to train AI.