Bear AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Text Editors

The best Text Editor 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 many of them are Text Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Text Editor alternatives to Bear are Zettlr, Manuskript, QOwnNotes and FocusWriter.

filter to find the best alternatives

Bear alternatives are mainly Text Editors, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Todo List Managers 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. 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)
     
  4. 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
     
  5. QOwnNotes icon

    QOwnNotes

     96 likes
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    Plain text notepad with markdown support and todo list manager for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, that works together with the notes application of ownCloud.

    258 QOwnNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Qt
    QOwnNotes main screen
     
  6. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

     207 likes
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    Simple but configurable and themeable, distraction-free text editor for writers. Open-source and available across desktop platforms.

    99 FocusWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    FocusWriter screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about FocusWriter as an Alternative to Bear
    John Fastman
    Negative
    4

    Bear is a proprietary productivity app for Mac-based products. FocusWriter is an open source word processor for people who find toolbars distracting.

    Bear Icon
    FocusWriter icon

    • Some users think FocusWriter is a great Bear alternative, some don't.

    • FocusWriter is Free and Open SourceBear is Freemium and Proprietary
    • FocusWriter is CustomizableBear is not according to our users
  7. Heynote icon

    Heynote

     19 likes
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    Heynote is a dedicated scratchpad for developers. It functions as a large persistent text buffer where you can write down anything you like. Works great for that Slack message you don't want to accidentally send, a JSON response from an API you're working with, notes...

    55 Heynote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Heynote screenshot 1
     
  9. iA Writer icon

    iA Writer

     96 likes
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    The key to good writing is not that magical glass of Bordeaux, the right kind of tobacco or that groovy background music. The key is focus. What you need to write well is a spartan setting that allows you to fully concentrate on your text and nothing but your text.

    118 iA Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iA Writer screenshot 1
     
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    7
  10. acreom icon

    acreom

     26 likes
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    acreom is an actionable personal knowledge base for developers. It helps developers ship faster by centralizing personal and team context in one place.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    acreom screenshot 1
     
  11. Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     69 likes
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    Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.

    124 Ulysses alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
     
  12. FuseBase icon

    FuseBase

     91 likes
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    Combines AI-powered client portals, unlimited external accounts, internal workspaces, collaborative document editing, smart task management, and no-code knowledge bases with smart documents, supporting 2000+ embeds for streamlined project delivery and feedback.

    211 FuseBase alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Internal and external collaboration.
     
  13. Widget-Board icon

    Widget-Board

     22 likes
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    Widget Board is a productivity tool that lets you create custom boards with your favorite widgets such as tasks, notes, media, date & time, weather, calendar and so much more!.

    69 Widget-Board alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Context Chrome Extension
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Widget-Board screenshot 1
     
  14. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes
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    Offers fast, distraction-free note-taking via a high-performance editor with real-time Markdown, local-first storage, image support, Kanban task boards, intuitive drag-and-drop, keyboard shortcuts, configurable themes, fast search, and cross-platform access.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1
     
12 of 32 Bear alternatives