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 if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Android, Linux, Mac and Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Bear.
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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1076 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.

    157 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Very complicated interface

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
    • Obsidian is Privacy focusedBear is not according to our users
  2. Anytype icon

    Anytype

     271 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.

    133 Anytype alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Movie Database
     
  4. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     677 likes
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    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    112 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    No subtags in free version

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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, Minimalistic, Security-focused and CustomizableBear is not according to our users
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    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 ...

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  6. Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2481 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.

    76 Evernote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
     
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    1
    24
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Bear
    Guest
    Negative
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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

     169 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.

    287 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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 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

     242 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.

    174 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
  10. Zim icon

    Zim

     509 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"...

    313 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Bear
    Gallien
    Negative
    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 Privacy focusedBear is not according to our users
  12. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     319 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.

    95 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Bear
    Gallien
    Negative
    1

    cherrytree doesn't sync notes

    Bear Icon
    CherryTree icon
    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
    • CherryTree is Customizable and Privacy focusedBear is not according to our users
  14. Cryptee icon

    Cryptee

     101 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.

    69 Cryptee alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1
     
  15. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     168 likes
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    Open-source software offering a hierarchical outliner, distraction-free editor, character management, plot tools, Snowflake method support, section multi-organization, customizable writing workflows, cross-platform availability, and export to standard formats.

    117 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1
     
12 of 191 Bear alternatives