Notes is an open source and cross-platform note-taking app that is both beautiful and powerful.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary (MPL-2.0)
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- Flatpak
- Snapcraft
+3
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.
Alternatives list
Organize, relate, and discover everything in your life on your knowledge graph, all in one workspace. 100% free and open source.
+6
Rocketnotes is a web-based Markdown note taking app with AI-powered text completion. You can sign up for free or deploy it with low effort to your personal AWS account. Check out the installation guides for deploying Rocketnotes at AWS or running it on your local machine with...
Capture's intuitive interface and smart features turn your mobile device into a powerful thought organizer, letting you seize, sort, and execute your ideas with unprecedented ease.
+8
283 Tot alternativesTot is an elegant, simple way to collect & edit text across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It’s your tiny text companion!
+6
A modern note-taking, list-making and writing app with markdown rich-text editing, powerful customization, a beautiful interface, a dark theme, and much more.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- Android Tablet
+4
Journalify is a modern, intuitive platform that enables users to transform their life through journaling. It provides a space where you can focus on writing, free from worries about privacy and accessibility.
Noted is an audio recording and note-taking app for lectures, meetings, interviews, conferences and more, making it easy to record every moment with confidence.
+2
Strflow is built for writing things down the moment a thought occurs — like texting yourself, without worrying about structure.
+4
Full-featured, cross-platform note-taking and note management tool with advanced collaboration and editing features to let you work with multiple notes at the same time.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
+4
Noteship is a personal information manager that combines notes, todos, and reminders and is based on simple files and folders.
+1
Enso is a writing tool that helps you enter a state of flow.
It does this by separating writing from editing and thus making it harder for you to edit yourself.
Cost / License
- Free Personal
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Web Browser
United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Japan
