Bear AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Bear

Bear is described as 'Beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop' and is a popular Note-taking tool in the web browsers category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Bear for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Web-based apps. The best Bear alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Bear are Anytype, Evernote, Standard Notes and Zettlr.

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Bear alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Bear.
Bear iconBear
  93
  • ...

Bear is a beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop.

More about Bear
More about Bear
Bear alternatives page was last updated Nov 29, 2023
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  1. Obsidian icon
    Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     955 likes
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    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    93 Obsidian alternatives
    Obsidian screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
    Obsidian screenshot 2
    +4
    Obsidian screenshot 3

    Top Obsidian Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Graph view
    5.  Bidirectional links
    6.  Mind Mapping
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Personal Information Manager (PIM)
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  Knowledge Management
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Backlink
    Obsidian iconBear Icon

    Obsidian VS Bear

    Is Obsidian a good alternative to Bear?
     
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Bear
     
    Guest

    Very complicated interface

    Negative comment •Jul 10, 2021
    0
    Bear Icon
    Obsidian icon

    • Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Bear.

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Bear.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryBear is also Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Anytype icon
    Anytype icon

    Anytype

     234 likes
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    Manage notes, tasks, and projects offline with Markdown support. Enjoy encrypted storage, P2P syncing, and powerful dynamic collections across all devices, while allowing redistribution and modification for non-commercial uses.

    101 Anytype alternatives
    Movie Database

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Daily Journal
    Habit Tracker
    +6
    Files

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Synchronization
    4.  Decentralized
    5.  Visual Organization
    6.  Knowledge Management
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Local Storage
    10.  Team Collaboration
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Wiki
    Anytype iconBear Icon

    Anytype VS Bear

    Is Anytype a good alternative to Bear?
     
  4. Evernote icon
    Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2478 likes
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    App designed for cross-platform note-taking and organizing. Create notes with text, images, and audio, tag and search them. Features offline access, business card scanning, and presentation modes. Integrate with LinkedIn and secure with a passcode lock.

    57 Evernote alternatives
    Evernote screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
    Evernote screenshot 2
    +2
    Evernote screenshot 3

    Top Evernote Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Text formatting
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Hyperlinks
    5.  Folders
    6.  Tagging
    7.  Note organization
    8.  Screenshot OCR
    9.  OCR
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Handwritten Notes
    12.  Support for MarkDown
    Evernote iconBear Icon

    Evernote VS Bear

    Is Evernote a good alternative to Bear?
     
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Bear
     
    Guest

    Passable alternative, but bloated, no inline #hashtags, expensive.

    Negative comment •Dec 22, 2020
    0
    Bear Icon
    Evernote icon

    • Most users think Evernote is a great Bear alternative.

    • Evernote is the most popular Web-based alternative to Bear.

    • Evernote is Freemium and ProprietaryBear is also Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within ...

    https://www.literatureandlatte.com
    Learn More
  6. Standard Notes icon
    Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     644 likes
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    Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.

    77 Standard Notes alternatives
    Standard Notes screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Free version.
    Cross-platform sync and end-to-end privacy
    +4
    Extensions and Themes

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Encrypted Notes
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  AES Encryption
    9.  Sync on many devices
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Mobile friendly
    12.  Client side encryption
    Standard Notes iconBear Icon

    Standard Notes VS Bear

    Is Standard Notes a good alternative to Bear?
     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Bear
     
    Guest

    No subtags in free version

    Negative comment •Nov 2, 2018
    -1
    Bear Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Most users think Standard Notes is a great Bear alternative.

    • Standard Notes is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Bear.

    • Standard Notes is the most popular Open Source alternative to Bear.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused and Security-focusedBear is not according to our users
  7. Zettlr icon
    Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     217 likes
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    From idea to publication in one app: Zettlr accompanies you while writing your blog post, newspaper article, term paper, thesis, or entire book.

    159 Zettlr alternatives
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (light mode)
    The Berlin Theme (dark mode)
    +5
    The Berlin Theme (light mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Export to LaTeX
    12.  Syntax Highlighting
    Zettlr iconBear Icon

    Zettlr VS Bear

    Is Zettlr a good alternative to Bear?
     
  8. Notesnook icon
    Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     128 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    241 Notesnook alternatives
    Notesnook screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 2
    +6
    Notesnook screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  Private notes
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Note organization
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Web Clipper
    12.  Reminders
    Notesnook iconBear Icon

    Notesnook VS Bear

    Is Notesnook a good alternative to Bear?
     

    • Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to Bear.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedBear is not according to our users
  10. Zim icon
    Zim icon

    Zim

     493 likes
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    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    294 Zim alternatives
    Zim screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Graphviz graph using Diagram plugin
    Formatting options available
    +1
    Hiding all toolbars and statusbar for maximum screen space

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Plain text file
    3.  Wiki-like interface
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Cross-Platform
    6.  Note organization
    7.  WYSIWYG Support
    8.  Outliner
    9.  Text formatting
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Notebook
    Zim iconBear Icon

    Zim VS Bear

    Is Zim a good alternative to Bear?
     
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Bear
     
    Gallien

    Zim doesn't enable to sync notes, and is not even meant to take notes, but to write a personnal wiki

    Negative comment •Jun 5, 2020
    0
    Bear Icon
    Zim icon

    • Most users think Zim is a great Bear alternative.

    • Zim is Free and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zim is LightweightBear is not according to our users
  11. CherryTree icon
    CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     310 likes
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    A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.

    69 CherryTree alternatives
    CherryTree screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
    CherryTree screenshot 2
    +3
    CherryTree screenshot 3

    Top CherryTree Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Infinite hierarchical depth
    4.  Includes images in notes
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Tree view
    7.  Tree Style Tabs
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Portable
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Ad-free
    CherryTree iconBear Icon

    CherryTree VS Bear

    Is CherryTree a good alternative to Bear?
     
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Bear
     
    Gallien

    cherrytree doesn't sync notes

    Negative comment •Jun 5, 2020
    1
    Bear Icon
    CherryTree icon
    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
  12. AFFiNE icon
    AFFiNE icon

    AFFiNE

     83 likes
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    There can be more than Notion / and Miro. Affine is a next-gen knowledge base that brings planning, sorting and creating all together.

    107 AFFiNE alternatives
    AFFiNE screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    AFFiNE screenshot 1
    AFFiNE screenshot 2
    +3
    Write your way to better productivity

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Goal Tracking
    4.  Kanban Board
    5.  Interactive Whiteboard
    6.  Real time collaboration
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Pomodoro Timer
    10.  Handwritten Notes
    11.  Subtasks
    12.  Hierarchical Structure
    AFFiNE iconBear Icon

    AFFiNE VS Bear

    Is AFFiNE a good alternative to Bear?
     
  13. Trilium Notes icon
    Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     90 likes
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    Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.

    345 Trilium Notes alternatives
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
    Trilium Notes screenshot 2
    +6
    Trilium Notes screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Knowledge base
    2.  Tree of notes
    3.  Note organization
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Encrypted Notes
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Web Clipper
    12.  Support for scripting
    Discontinued

    Trilium transitions into maintenance mode and don't plan adding any new major functionality. You can take a look at this community fork: https://github.com/TriliumNext

    Trilium Notes iconBear Icon

    Trilium Notes VS Bear

    Is Trilium Notes a good alternative to Bear?
     
  14. Cryptee icon
    Cryptee icon

    Cryptee

     91 likes
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    Cryptee is a safety and privacy focused, encrypted and cross-platform personal data storage service. You can write personal documents, notes, journals, store photos (including raw photos from DSLR cameras) and all sorts of other files.

    43 Cryptee alternatives
    Cryptee screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1
    Cryptee screenshot 2
    +9
    Cryptee screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Notes
    3.  Encrypted Photo Storage
    4.  Rich text editing
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Cloud Hosting
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  File Storage
    11.  Cloud Sync
    12.  WYSIWYG Support
    Cryptee iconBear Icon

    Cryptee VS Bear

    Is Cryptee a good alternative to Bear?
     
  15. DeepNotes icon
    DeepNotes icon

    DeepNotes

     36 likes
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    DeepNotes is an open source, end-to-end encrypted visual note-taking app with deep page navigation and live collaboration. Create mind maps, diagrams, kanban boards, among others. Infinite nesting of infinite canvases.

    51 DeepNotes alternatives
    Family tree

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Diagram
    Kanban
    +5
    History

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Scrum Boards
    3.  Two-factor Authentication
    4. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    5.  Visual Pinboard
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  WYSIWYG Support
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  End-to-End Encryption
    11.  Unlimited storage
    12.  No Tracking
    DeepNotes iconBear Icon

    DeepNotes VS Bear

    Is DeepNotes a good alternative to Bear?
     
12 of 225 Bear alternatives