Bear AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Note-taking Tools

The best Note-taking alternative to Bear is Obsidian, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Bear and loads of them are Note-taking Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Note-taking Tool alternatives to Bear are Anytype, Standard Notes, Evernote and Notesnook.

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

    Obsidian

     971 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.

    105 Obsidian alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

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

    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 VS Bear

     
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative •Jul 10, 2021
    0

    Very complicated interface

    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

     240 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.

    106 Anytype alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Movie Database

    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.  Wiki
    11.  Team Collaboration
    12.  Cross-Platform

    Anytype VS Bear

     
  4. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     648 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.

    85 Standard Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Security-focused
    4.  Minimalistic
    5.  Customizable

    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 VS Bear

     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative •Nov 2, 2018
    -1

    No subtags in free version

    Bear Icon
    Standard Notes icon

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

    • Standard Notes is the most popular Web-based & 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
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Capacities icon
    Capacities

    Capacities offers a revolutionary note-taking experience by utilizing a network-based structure for knowledge capture and organization. Users create unique entities like ideas and questions in a graph view, fostering personalized...

    https://capacities.io
    Learn More
  6. Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2479 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.

    60 Evernote alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    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 VS Bear

     
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative •Dec 22, 2020
    0

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

    Bear Icon
    Evernote icon

    • Most users think Evernote is a great Bear alternative.

    • Evernote is Freemium and ProprietaryBear is also Freemium and Proprietary
  7. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     138 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.

    250 Notesnook alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • PK flagPakistan

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Distraction-free

    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 VS 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
  8. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     223 likes
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    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    163 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    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.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Bear

     
  10. Zim icon

    Zim

     499 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"...

    298 Zim alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1

    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 VS Bear

     
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Bear
    Gallien
    Negative •Jun 5, 2020
    0

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

    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. AFFiNE icon

    AFFiNE

     89 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.

    111 AFFiNE alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    AFFiNE screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

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

    AFFiNE VS Bear

     
  12. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     311 likes
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    Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

    76 CherryTree alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    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.  Works Offline
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  No registration required

    CherryTree VS Bear

     
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Bear
    Gallien
    Negative •Jun 5, 2020
    1

    cherrytree doesn't sync notes

    Bear Icon
    CherryTree icon
    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
  13. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     94 likes
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    Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.

    353 Trilium Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Tree of notes
    2.  Knowledge base
    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.  REST API
    12.  Web Clipper

    Trilium Notes VS Bear

     
  14. DeepNotes icon

    DeepNotes

     37 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.

    58 DeepNotes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Family tree

    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 VS Bear

     
  15. Cryptee icon

    Cryptee

     94 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.

    51 Cryptee alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • EE flagEstonia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    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 VS Bear

     
12 of 180 Bear alternatives