Bear Alternatives

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 Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Web-based apps. The best Bear alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Bear are Anytype, Standard Notes, Evernote and Notesnook.

filter to find the best alternatives

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 Feb 15, 2024
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Alternatives
  1. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     160 likes
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    Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.

    109 Manuskript alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1

    Top Manuskript Features

    1.  Outliner
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Tracking of plots
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Tracking of characters
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Support for MarkDown
    12.  File Versioning

    Manuskript VS Bear

     
  2. QOwnNotes icon

    QOwnNotes

     93 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.

    234 QOwnNotes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Plain text file
    4.  Tagging
    5. Nextcloud icon  Nextcloud integration
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Subtasks
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Synchronization

    QOwnNotes VS Bear

     
  4. Reor icon

    Reor

     28 likes
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    Reor is an AI-powered desktop note-taking app: it automatically links related ideas, answers questions on your notes and provides semantic search. Everything is stored locally and you can edit your notes with an Obsidian-like markdown editor.

    79 Reor alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Reor screenshot 1

    Reor Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  No registration required
    5.  AI-Powered
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Semantic Search

    Reor VS Bear

     
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    FuseBase

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  6. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     66 likes
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    Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.

    192 Dendron alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Local Storage
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Hierarchical Structure
    4.  Block reference
    5.  Graph view
    6.  VSCode
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Backlinks
    9.  Quick reference lookup
    10.  Publishing
    11.  Tagging
    12.  Bidirectional links

    Dendron VS Bear

     
  7. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     256 likes
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    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 reach for efficient work.

    106 Scrivener alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1

    Top Scrivener Features

    1.  Corkboard
    2.  Document compiler
    3.  Character database
    4.  Scene Management
    5.  Visual Organization
    6.  Split files into sections
    7.  Support for scripting
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Multi-document View
    10.  Integrated Search
    11.  Folders
    12.  Word counter

    Scrivener VS Bear

     
    Comments about Scrivener as an Alternative to Bear
    thunder987
    •Nov 9, 2022
    0

    Bear is for notes, Scrivener for books. Two totally different worlds.

    Bear Icon
    Scrivener icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Scrivener is a great Bear alternative.

    • Scrivener is the most popular commercial alternative to Bear.

    • Scrivener is Paid and ProprietaryBear is Freemium and Proprietary
  8. Capacities icon

    Capacities

     33 likes
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    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 and interconnected know-how beyond traditional folders.

    50 Capacities alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Capacities screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Knowledge Management
    2.  Knowledge base
    3.  Full-Text Search
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Calendar View
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Portable
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  File Tagging
    11.  Support for MarkDown
    12.  Support for @mentions

    Capacities VS Bear

     
  10. UpNote icon

    UpNote

     36 likes
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    UpNote is an elegant and powerful note app that works seamlessly across platforms: iOS, Android, Mac and Windows.

    312 UpNote alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • VN flagVietnam

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    UpNote screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Nested Folders
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Notebook
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  No Coding Required
    12.  Markdown preview

    UpNote VS Bear

     
  11. Craft icon

    Craft

     34 likes
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    Craft offers document creation with stunning visuals, seamless navigation, and effortless sharing. Nest notes, use AI for summaries, and export in multiple formats.

    63 Craft alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Craft screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Sheet linking
    3.  Knowledge Management
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Kanban Board
    6.  File Versioning
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Handwritten Notes
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Full-Text Search
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Notebook

    Craft VS Bear

     
  12. Heynote icon

    Heynote

     16 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...

    51 Heynote alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Heynote screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Currency Conversion
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Auto Formatting
    8.  Multiple Cursors

    Heynote VS Bear

     
  13. Roam Research icon

    Roam Research

     57 likes
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    As easy to use as a word document or bulleted list, and as powerful for finding, collecting, and connecting related ideas as a graph database. Collaborate with others in real time, or store all your data locally.

    143 Roam Research alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Roam Research screenshot 1

    Top Roam Research Features

    1.  Bidirectional links
    2.  Block reference
    3.  Graph view
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Pomodoro Timer
    6.  Full-Text Search
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Kanban Board
    12.  Syntax Highlighting

    Roam Research VS Bear

     
  14. DEVONthink icon

    DEVONthink

     129 likes
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    DEVONthink is a solution to the digital age conundrum. It is your second brain, the one and only database for all your digital files, be they PDFs, emails, Word docs or even multimedia files.

    156 DEVONthink alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    DEVONthink screenshot 1

    Top DEVONthink Features

    1.  File Tagging
    2.  Indexed search
    3.  File Organizer
    4.  Built-in viewer
    5.  Reminders
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  Split PDF files
    10.  Recurring Tasks
    11.  OCR
    12.  Support for scripting

    DEVONthink VS Bear

     
  15. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

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

    96 FocusWriter alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    FocusWriter screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Daily progress tracker
    3.  Fullscreen support
    4.  Skin customization
    5.  Auto-saving
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Spell Checking
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Portable
    11.  Writing statistics
    12.  Multiple languages

    FocusWriter VS Bear

     
    Comments about FocusWriter as an Alternative to Bear
    John Fastman
    Negative •Jan 10, 2017
    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 LightweightBear is not according to our users
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