Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Online
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Bear Alternatives
Bear is a Markdown-focused note app with cross-note links, hashtag tagging, powerful search, Focus Mode, iCloud sync, and multiple export options. Users appreciate its clean interface and Apple ecosystem integration, though some seek alternatives with stronger privacy features or cross-platform availability.
Obsidian leads as the top-ranked Bear alternative, extending Markdown note-taking with backlinks, bidirectional links, and graph view for mapping relationships between ideas. Standard Notes adds end-to-end encryption and encrypted backups for privacy-focused users, expanding beyond Bear's iCloud-style syncing. Notesnook focuses on private, encrypted notes with two-factor authentication and reminders for security-conscious users.
Bear alternatives range from local-first vault apps like Obsidian to encrypted sync-first tools like Standard Notes and Notesnook, giving users options across privacy levels and platform support.
filter to find the best alternatives
Open source choices like Zettlr suit users who prefer auditable code and community-driven development. Linux users have native desktop apps available through Standard Notes for workflows outside Windows and macOS.
For self-hosting, AFFiNE and Outline can run on your own infrastructure for complete data control. Markdown workflows remain portable with Obsidian keeping notes in plain-text format, while offline functionality works reliably with Anytype during travel or unreliable connections.
Cloud sync becomes essential for multi-device users, with Evernote and Notesnook both including syncing across devices. For WYSIWYG-style editing, Standard Notes, Notesnook, and Anytype all list WYSIWYG support among their notable features for users who prefer rich-text editing over raw Markdown.
Alternatives list
Opens in less than 400ms via global shortcut, offers overlay notes on top of all windows, extracts text from screenshots using OCR, stores data offline by default, auto-pauses on lock and resumes, all in a minimal, clutter-free and distraction-free writing surface.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
Protects your private notes with a password. Notebook PEA is a self-decrypting archive, that will never store unencrypted text on your disk.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Inspire is a clone of Ulysses for Windows, with many of the core features but not all.
Cost / License
- Paid
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Windows
China
Hejour is a day-based notes app for Mac and iPhone. Every day is a page. Type @ to open a section for tomorrow or any other day — the same note lives on both pages. Unfinished todos roll forward to today. Calendar events can sit on the page.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- iPhone
+4
43 RexPad alternativesNote-taking app for individuals and team. Clean, speedy, and real-time collaborative. Markdownish with multiple panes and good search.
Platforms
- Online
Mindful is a space for your thoughts, ideas and ongoing tasks. It's a Chrome browser extension that helps you get ideas out and organize them with note-taking capabilities that automatically syncs across browser instances.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Google Chrome
+1
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- iPhone
- iPad
Netherlands
EU
+2
Cling is your desk in the cloud. The perfect place for all that matters to you. Keep your content safe, have everything at hand and always stay on top. Organize your notes, to-dos, web-links, photos and files in one single app.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Germany- EU
+1
Cost / License
- Paid
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
163 Byword alternativesByword is designed to make writing more enjoyable with Markdown on your Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Cost / License
- Paid
- Proprietary
Platforms
- Mac
- iPhone
- iPad
Portugal- EU
+9
The desktop app designed from the ground up to make it easier to plan your story. Whether you're an author, world-builder, or someone who likes creating, Perixi is the right choice for your next project.
Cost / License
- Paid
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
