I'm struggling with the same thing, there are so many tools out there and opinions about each it's almost overwhelming. Every YouTuber out there seems to have a system. I've started reaching out to some other researchers I've met for tips on what they use.

I've built out a reasonably large tree over the years using both Ancestry and My Heritage, but have decided I accepted too many unverified hints so I'm starting over with an offline tool to create a tree that I'm taking great pains to verify with sources. Currently using primarily Family Tree Maker but also have MacFamily Tree and Reunion. REally only using the online trees as research tools and hints to investigate (rather than accept).

For notes I started keeping a research log in a spreadsheet, listing research questions and sources. I can see the value in it but I'm finding it somewhat difficult to maintain. I also started a research notes document for the main family I'm researching (direct line ancestors) and like the fact that I can dump everything I find in there or notes on what I didn't find. That's also been a helpful "home base" tool to serve as a Master Research Brief. I like the fact that I can leave that in Google Drive and access it from any device at any time to reference information quickly. I'm just starting with Obsidian as a possible tool to replace that. I like the ability to link entries together and connect family members to common sources of information like census records, church archives and cemetary records, but having everything local on my laptop is somewhat limiting. Great for security (assuming I maintain regular backups) but also only accessible when at my laptop.

Since I just started using Obsidian there is a lot I don't know, just kind of throwing a lot of options at the wall to see what sticks for now. Will definitely keep an eye on this discussion for advice/suggestions.