Logos Bible Software vs Obsidian: Which is best for connected Bible notes?

Logos Bible Software and Obsidian can both be used to create connected Bible notes, but which is better? Or maybe you should use both, but how do you separate them out and avoid pointless busy work? In this video, I share the differences between each app, the pros and cons of both, and three strategies for how you can use them together.
Check it out.
P.s. Here's my Logos affiliate code cjw.fyi/logos/
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My name is Chris Wilson, I'm a Christian based in Krakow, Poland and I make weekly videos on Bible Study, note taking and Church tech. I also write over at ChurchM.ag, come check us out.
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[@chrisjwilson]

Do you use Logos and Obsidian? How do you manage using them together?

[@JorgeRamirez]

You can select a Bible verse on Logos or a text from a book, then go to the tree dots on the top right. Once the tab is open, you scroll down then you will see several options to copy that text: URL, HTML, L4, etc. If you choose the URL or L4, you can then go and type something on obsidian, select that texto, then press cmd+k, and paste the url. Then you have the option to open that link in Logos.

[@Mama2Many82]

As a serious student of the Bible, but also a lifetime notetaker, writer, and a homeschooling mother of 9 with many other interests and responsibilities, Obsidian has been a life changer for me. It has been a personally profound experience to be able to link, cross-reference, and search all of my writings and various what-nots in ways I never have been able to with any other system. I have the entire Bible in my vault, but I did finally decide to hide it both in search and graph view. I use it to cross-reference, not to search or read for extended periods of time, so seeing it visually was distracting and my searches were being bogged down by it. I am not a pastor or professional, so I never was able to justify the expense of Logos for myself, but Obsidian is quite possibly the "cheapest" new hobby or study tool I've ever had! 😁

[@chrisjwilson]

I hid the Bible from my graph too. It takes up so much space and distracts from the other connections in my experience. Although, I could see it being very interesting to look at from time to time and see what links between books you’ve made! I love your final comment about obsidian. I literally only gave it a go to see what using a linked based app was like and loved it.

[@thedanalcantara]

I’m using both together at the moment, mainly using Logos as a reference source and then actually making the notes in Obsidian. Being able to write in Markdown was super helpful when I was taking notes at a conference last month. It meant I was able to capture things much more quickly and have it automatically named with a date/time code so I can find it if I know roughly when I took something.

[@chrisjwilson]

How did you approach bible references? That’s the only part that slows me down with markdown. I tend to just write without formatting and then link later.

[@thedanalcantara]

Setting up hot keys for the Bible Linker and Note Refactor plugins was the thing that made it work for me. It also helped that the sessions were generally in a particular book rather than going all over the place.

[@chrisjwilson]

@@thedanalcantara what hot key did you go for with the bible reference one? That certainly would help speed things up!

[@daeheo4901]

Thanks for the comparison video. Logos Bible is good for detailed and specific research. But for a general overview, I think Obsidian is better. It would be wise to keep it simple and summarized so you don't get tired. In my case, I also use zotaro (PDF MANAGE PROG) in parallel. This's how I use books that isn't on Logos

[@chrisjwilson]

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean by "it would be wise to keep it simple and summarized so you don't get tired." I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to.

[@newcreationcoachingllc6491]

Hi Chris, came across this as a fairly new user of Logos with a huge library getting ready to start in master's work that might be multidimensional-- some practical/counseling, some theology, etc. I love research but have organizational issues. Someone recommended Zettelkasten Method as she is working on her PhD. I am not super tech oriented. Do you think I could manage lots of connections between material/ideas within Logos for longer term research? Does it have a way to work with bringing in articles? She also mentioned Zotero. She helped me identify that I have a research type personality that sees a lot of connections... but the issue is I also see A LOT of connections and sometimes have trouble categorizing information or being fearful I won't be able to remember where it is to retrieve it. My desktop both physical and computer is a mess. TIA for any input.

[@chrisjwilson]

Logos isn't really designed for Zettlekasten but here's the best way I can think of to do it. You make notes following the zettlekasten method in your various note books. You can use the numbering system, give tags, etc. You can have literature notes where you highlight your resources and you can have fleeting notes which are your own thoughts. You can also import highlights from other resources manually (maybe use zotero and then copy and paste your highlights/note). To do an index, you use the sermon builder feature and share your notes to the relevant index/sermon. That would allow you to group them together. It's not perfect but it would get yout 90% of the way there. Hope this helps.

[@rossjpurdy]

There is a free LOGOS starter version.

[@tomgncc]

I use both

[@chrisjwilson]

You have chosen...wisely.

[@tomgncc]

@chrisjwilson Not sure how wise, I am only scratching the surface with both. I'm like a teenager who owns a Hummer and a Ferrari. Not sure what I'm doing and far from getting all I can out of either of them. 😃 But thanks for vote of confidence 😀

[@darrellparkhouse489]

do you have any videos on Dataview queries for bible study?

[@chrisjwilson]

Not yet.

[@ToddParker]

What I really want is an Android equivalent to Pencil Bible. Logos puts their tech behind a massive paywall that only mega Church pastors can afford because of Church budgets. I do not want a pdf equivalent because it is limited given my desire to continue to learn the original languages. Thoughts?

[@chrisjwilson]

I've heard of the pencil bible but not checked it out. I thought they were working on an android version though but I see they haven't. What's the limits of a PDF bible? There is a greek PDF version you can get (not hebrew I'll admit). I think the only way to get something like that would be to comission an android developer yourself! I'll add that I'm not a mega church pastor and I've built up my logos collection over time. I picked up a free previous generation fundamentals pack, then added a legacy library with a load of good commentaries, then a few more here and now I add a package when it's discounted or when there's a book I need. It's still not cheap and I could get kindle versions of most commentaries for cheaper but the value for me is high (but that may not be the case for every Christian).

[@ToddParker]

@chrisjwilson last I checked, logos had stylus support in a new notes engine in their bronze package; about a $500 buy in. Cost prohibitive for a lot of people. I use pdf Bible journal in a notes app just so my stylus can be effective. In my opinion developers are completely missing it. The notes app is fine, but limited from a perspective of how a proper Bible app ties everything together. Part of the power of a system like logos is how everything gets hyperlinked together. I am glad you believe you have found a way to make their system work for you, I simply think they are over priced to the point of alienating a lot of people who could benefit from their service.

[@knightday1973]

I had Logos years ago. Windows changed their OS and Logos stopped working. There was nothing Logos could do to fix it. Obsidian is basically future proof since the notes are just marked up text. At the time I found Logos was limited in selection of books to kind of the more popular type books. Anyways, I lost all those books and more than 1500 dollars and this was about 30 years ago. I'll stick with real books or some kindle ones. Obsidian is amazing to cross reference biblical, philosophical, scientific ideas to jne another. It's like a second brain and is so customizable.

[@chrisjwilson]

The futureproof nature of text files is a great point. I am, however, surprised by some of what you've said about Logos. While you do need to eventually buy software updates to run on newer OSes, you keep all your past purchases. I think there is even a free online version (with very limited tools) that would allow you to access all your old books you got 30 years ago. Now, I can certainly understand the appeal of keeping physical books around, but you just can't run the kinds of searches that you can with Logos in Obsidian (even if you break copyright and upload all your books). As I said in the video, there is cross over between the tools but really they have different purposes. It's a shame they don't co-operate better though.

[@knightday1973]

@chrisjwilson They wanted me to buy the later release because the one I had no longer worked when Windows changed their OS. It was like buying the whole software again I invested in their Greek package too. Maybe it will continue to be more compatible in the future, but I won't buy back into it. Just letting people know. For the pastor writing sermons it certainly speeds things up. But at the time they were missing books that may have been less popular too. (Christian academic though).

[@josijusts]

Honestly, I can't understand how the application can add anything to Logos. If I already have Logos, with all the features integrated, why would I need another application to try to do something that Logo already does? I can't understand how Obsidian can be useful if I already have Logos?

[@michaell7877]

Obsidian is nowhere close to Logos. Been using Logos even before it became Logos. Yes it is expensive if you want everything in it. If you haven’t tried Logos, you should. They have payment plans to. Start small.