← all comparisons
compare · Obsidian + AI Plugins vs. 3ngram
Obsidian is a knowledge base. 3ngram is shared work memory with follow-through. different problems, complementary tools. many 3ngram users keep Obsidian for long-form notes and use 3ngram for what Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and Codex need to carry forward.
at a glance · 7 capabilities · side by side
| capability | 3ngram | Obsidian + AI Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| what it is | shared memory and follow-through for AI work | notes app with AI plugin ecosystem |
| memory model | typed — decisions, commitments, blockers, patterns | markdown files (flat, user-organized) |
| AI integration | native MCP server (protocol-level) | plugin-dependent (RAG over vault) |
| follow-through | overdue tracking, stale commitments, blocker surfacing | none (manual task tracking) |
| works in | any MCP client (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Codex) | Obsidian app only |
| AI mode | push — session briefings surface what needs attention | pull — you ask, plugin searches |
| cross-platform AI | yes, same memory in every AI tool | no, AI stays inside Obsidian |
when to choose · Obsidian + AI Plugins
you already have a large Obsidian vault, your primary need is search-my-notes-with-AI, or you want a local-first solution with no cloud dependency.
when to choose · 3ngram
you use multiple AI tools and want persistent, typed work context across all of them — with decisions, commitments, blockers, source context, and proactive briefings.
related reading · where else this shows up