Bear

Name: Bear
Brand: Bear
Price: 2.99 USD
Rating: 4.5 (11 reviews)

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Beautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices

Note-Taking Writing & Content Productivity

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4.5(11 across the web)

FreemiumVisit Website

Reviews onCapterra

11 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

Beautiful design

Biggest con

Apple only

TL;DR - Bear

Beautiful Markdown notes app for Apple devices with tag-based organization.
Features focus mode, nested tags, WikiLinks, and Apple Pencil sketching support.
Free with basic features and Pro at 2.99 dollars per month for sync and themes.

Pricing: Free plan available

Best for: Growing teams

4.5/5 across review platforms

What is Bear?

Editorial review

Bear is a notes app for people who appreciate beautiful design and markdown simplicity. Write notes, tag them for organization, and access them across your Apple devices with iCloud sync. The editor is pleasant to write in. Tags nest for hierarchical organization. Export handles multiple formats when you need to get data out. Mac and iOS users who want focused, elegant note-taking without Notion's complexity or Evernote's clutter choose Bear for its refined simplicity.

Available on: macOS, iOS

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcebear.app ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Beautiful design
Great markdown support
Fast and lightweight
Good organization
Apple ecosystem native

Cons

Apple only
Sync requires subscription
Limited collaboration
No web app
Basic task management

Ratings Across the Web

4.5(11 reviews)

Capterra11 reviews

4.5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Markdown notesTagsThemesExport optionsFocus modeApple ecosystem

Pricing Plans

14-day Free Trial

Pricing checked Jul 10, 2026

Free

Basic notes

Markdown editing
All core features
Local storage
Limited export

Pro

$2.99/month

Power users

iCloud sync
All export formats
Note encryption
Custom themes

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Reviews

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4.5/5

Across 11 verified user reviews on Capterra

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Best Bear Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

View full list →

iA WriterPaid

The benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing.

4.4

ObsidianFreemium

Private and flexible note-taking

4.4

CraftFreemium

Apple-quality notes, docs, and websites on all your devices

4.6

Apple NotesFree

Free note-taking for Apple users

4.1

UlyssesPaid

The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.

4.7

TyporaPaid

A minimal Markdown editor and reader with a seamless live preview experience.

4.3

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Bear FAQ

How does Bear facilitate organized note-taking?

Bear allows users to organize notes using tags, which can be nested to create a hierarchical structure. This system helps keep notes tidy and easily retrievable across all Apple devices.

Which teams or users would benefit most from Bear?

Bear is best suited for Mac and iOS users who prioritize focused, elegant note-taking and appreciate markdown simplicity. It appeals to individuals seeking a refined experience without the complexity of larger productivity suites.

How does Bear compare to Obsidian for note organization?

Bear offers good organization through nested tags and a beautiful design, while Obsidian is known for its robust linking and graph view capabilities. Bear focuses on elegant simplicity within the Apple ecosystem, whereas Obsidian provides more advanced customization and cross-platform support.

What kind of limitations does Bear have regarding platform availability?

Bear is exclusively available for Apple devices, meaning it does not offer support for Windows, Android, or web-based access. This focus on the Apple ecosystem ensures a native and optimized experience for its users.

How is Bear priced?

Bear is available on a free tier that offers basic functionality. For users requiring more extensive usage and additional features, paid plans are offered, which also enable iCloud synchronization.

Can Bear notes be exported to different formats?

Yes, Bear supports exporting notes in multiple formats. This feature allows users to easily get their data out of the application when needed for other purposes or platforms.

Source: bear.app

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