Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.
+9
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
We are committed to offering an excellent writing experience on all of your devices. A great writing app gets out of your way and makes it simple to get your thoughts down as easily as possible. Markdown is a great language for writing content, especially when there is code...
Cost / License
- Free Personal
- Open Source (MPL-2.0)
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Relanote is ? note-taking app that combines both hierarchical and non-hierarchical (wiki-style) note-taking. By leveraging the power of both methods, Relanote adapts to your way of thinking and allows you to create your personal knowledge base.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
+3
Protects your private notes with a password. Notebook PEA is a self-decrypting archive, that will never store unencrypted text on your disk.
Inspire is a clone of Ulysses for Windows, with many of the core features but not all.
Provides end-to-end encrypted note-taking, file storage, and sketching with syncing across platforms, zero data collection, no personal info or passwords required, open-source code for transparency, and optional premium storage, all via native and CLI tools.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source (Unlicense)
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
+8
28 MonsterWriter alternativesA simple solution to write scientific papers, pillar content or just your personal notes. It aims to combine the benefits of traditional Microsoft Word, LaTeX and Markdown.
+1
A simple note taking application for your computer focused on privacy, using PGP keys to encrypt all your notes by default.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Alerts
- Discontinued
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Google Chrome
+5
21 MemPad alternativesMemPad is a plain text outliner and note taking program with a tree structured index. All pages are stored in a single file. User interface available in 20 languages.
Spiral is a program that allows users to take notes in a format similar to a spiral notebook. Unlike traditional word processors and text editors that are configured in a way that makes it difficult to document things in a non-linear fashion, Spiral pages allow users to click...
27 Unfriction alternativesOpens 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.
Capture, organize, and work with ideas easily. Speare's intuitive and flexible side-by-side writing interface makes content creation a breeze.
Cost / License
- Paid
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Online
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
China
United States
Germany
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