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.

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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.

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Alternatives list

  1. Paragraphs icon
     3 likes

    Paragraphs is an app just for writers. It was built for one thing and one thing only: writing. It gives you everything you need to create brilliant prose and does away with the rest.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  2. Saner.ai icon
     14 likes

    Saner.ai is your Simple yet Powerful Second Brain, enabling you to instantly capture, find, and gain insights without manual organizing.

    74 Saner.ai alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  3. Simpletext icon
     1 like

    The simplest distraction-free writing app ever created.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  4. sChecklist icon
     6 likes

    Simple checklist app. Just rows of text entries and a checkbox for each. No B.S., i.e., no categories, no sub-tasks, no time tracking, and no other crazy wizzbang features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  5. Introducing Safety Note+: Keep Your Most Private Notes Secure

    Have you ever experienced the frustration of lending someone your phone, only to have them intrude on your personal information? We understand the discomfort that comes with it. That's why we created Safety Note+.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  6. Persona is an innovative character development tool for fiction writers. Persona aids you in crafting archetypal themed characters and plots by using time-honored psychological principles to describe the motivations and interactions between different characterizations of people.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  7. Zipnote icon
     1 like

    Ultra fast, simple scratch pad or memo pad.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
     
  8. Tagpad icon
     Like

    Tagpad lets you add -- and follow -- hashtags in plain text notes.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  9. Inquisite icon
     1 like

    Inquisite is a note-taking site that makes creating, searching, organizing, and importing/exporting simple and easy

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  10. Inkpad Notepad is a note service offering many features for Free users, and even more for users who subscribe to the service. It is available for a variety of programs, including Windows, Android, and iOS devices.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
     
  11. chamu icon
     Like

    Sharing files and notes made easy.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  12. Illumtori icon
     2 likes

    Illumtori is the ultimate all-in-one productivity app. It comes with a goal tracker, calendar, to-do list, notes, and personal budget. It also protects your privacy with encryption and allows you to work offline.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
     
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