Lightweight note-taking app with inline categorization and visual graph view. Connect your thoughts naturally while writing.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application types
Germany
EUPlatforms
- 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
NoteDiscovery is a lightweight, self-hosted note-taking application that puts you in complete control of your knowledge base. Write, organize, and discover your notes with a beautiful, modern interface—all running on your own server.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source (MIT)
Platforms
- Self-Hosted
Jots is a note taking app to help developers boost their critical thinking skills using our reflection engine and flexible journaling/reflection options.
+2
54 Journal it! alternativesAll-in-one life organizer combining journal, planner, notes, habits, and goals in one interconnected system. Mobile-first, offline-first, with optional E2E encryption.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Online
+9
TUI-Journal is a terminal-based application written in Rust that allows you to write and manage your journal/notes from within the comfort of your terminal. It provides a simple and efficient interface for creating and organizing your thoughts, ideas, and reflections.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source (MIT)
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
This app is the filing cabinet for everything you read online. It saves and organizes everything you read online and organizes it in a simple and retrievable format.
+1
A fast, keyboard-driven scratchpad for Linux with smart calculator, currency conversion, OCR, timers, and 14+ themes. Built for KDE Plasma & GNOME with Qt6.
+7
Nodes is your local, intelligent note system – minimal, powerful, and built for deep thinking.
+2
RightTasks places your Google Tasks in a right sidebar in Gmail, like in Google Calendar.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- Google Chrome
- Opera
- Firefox
53 freewrite alternativesOne simple, clean place to write continuously for a set time without distraction — think through a new idea, write your next script, reflect on an event, whatever.
+1
Estonia
United States
Türkiye
