Bear vs UpNote: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Bear and UpNote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Bear
Beautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
Best for you if:
- • You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
| At a Glance | Bear | UpNote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $2.99/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free plan, paid from $1.99/mo, billed monthly Premium (Monthly) plan |
Category | Productivity Note-Taking | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 45 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 135 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Bear or UpNote?
Choose Bear if
- You want beautiful design
- You want great markdown support
- You work in productivity, not note-taking
Choose UpNote if
- You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- You want offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- Budget matters ($1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $2.99/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in note-taking, not productivity
In-Depth Analysis
Bear
Beautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices
The free tier is functional for local-only notes but missing iCloud sync makes it impractical as a daily driver.
Strengths
- Pro: Beautiful design
- Pro: Great markdown support
- Pro: Fast and lightweight
- Pro: Good organization
- Pro: Apple ecosystem native
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only
- Con: Sync requires subscription
- Con: Limited collaboration
- Con: No web app
- Con: Basic task management
Key features
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
UpNote's pricing is very generous, especially with the $39.99 Lifetime option which offers exceptional value compared to typical subscription models.
Strengths
- Pro: Available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- Pro: Offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- Pro: Clean, clutter-free interface promotes focus
- Pro: Robust organization features for managing many notes
- Pro: Includes essential security and backup features
Weaknesses
- Con: Free version is limited to 50 notes, which might be restrictive for some users
- Con: Pricing may vary by region and sales taxes
Key features
Plans and prices: Bear vs UpNote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bear |
| bear.app read Nov 2, 2026 |
| UpNote |
| getupnote.com read Oct 24, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Bear pricing and UpNote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Bear
- Choose if you want beautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices
UpNote
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5
- Lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $2.99/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- UpNote has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 45 reviews for Bear, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote).
- UpNote has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) against $2.99/mo, billed monthly (Pro) for Bear.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Bear Reviews
It's uncomplicated and easy to use. My material is safe.wherever I am I can take a minute and add to my writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Bear and UpNote compare in 2026?
On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. UpNote has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 45 reviews for Bear, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote). UpNote has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) against $2.99/mo, billed monthly (Pro) for Bear. Both have a free plan.
What are Bear and UpNote used for?
Bear: Beautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices. UpNote: Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
What does Bear cost vs UpNote?
Bear's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $2.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. UpNote's cheapest paid plan is Premium (Monthly) at $1.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Bear and UpNote?
Bear's main strength: beautiful design. UpNote's main strength: available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android).