D
Debbie hampton
Rated 5.0 out of 5
Pros
It's uncomplicated and easy to use. My material is safe.wherever I am I can take a minute and add to my writing.
Cons
Ni can't think of anything.
Bear
Claim this toolBeautiful markdown notes app for Apple devices
From $2.99/mo, billed monthly (free plan available)Positions Bear holds among the tools of each category it belongs to (Toolradar data, Oct 2026):
- #84 (joint) most-listed alternative in Productivity, out of 1861 tools in Productivity. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
- #37 (joint) most-listed alternative in Writing & Content, out of 524 tools in Writing & Content. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
- #16 most-listed alternative in Note-Taking, out of 202 tools in Note-Taking. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
Reviews on G2
46 reviews tracked The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $2.99/mo, billed monthly (free plan available). Compare plans
Key facts
- 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.
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
What is Bear?
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
Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source bear.app Ratings Across the Web
4.5 (45 reviews)
Bear holds an aggregate rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 45 reviews across G2, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
- Markdown notes
- Tags
- Themes
- Export options
- Focus mode
- Apple ecosystem
Pricing Plans
14-day Free TrialPricing checked Oct 10, 2026. Source: bear.app, read Oct 10, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic notes
+1 more Show less
|
| Pro Popular | $2.99/month | Power users
+1 more Show less
|
Is Bear worth the price?
Great value
The free tier is functional for local-only notes but missing iCloud sync makes it impractical as a daily driver.
Pro is an easy buy for Apple users who want clean markdown notes with sync.
How Bear's pricing compares
At $2.99/mo, billed monthly, Bear is mid-range of its 4 comparable direct competitors ($0.99 to $14.99/mo across the set).
Not ranked, different unit or currency: Ulysses $4.17/mo, billed yearly.
Entry paid plan, monthly price, billed monthly. Pricing checked Oct 10, 2026.
Bear by the numbers
Toolradar data: Bear's entry paid plan ($2.99/mo, billed monthly) ranks #9 of 77 (joint) for price among the Note-Taking tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $7/mo. It is listed as an alternative to 25 other tools on Toolradar, ranking #16 of 202 in Note-Taking. As of Oct 2026.
- #84 (joint) most-listed alternative in Productivity, out of 1861 tools in Productivity. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
- #37 (joint) most-listed alternative in Writing & Content, out of 524 tools in Writing & Content. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
- #16 most-listed alternative in Note-Taking, out of 202 tools in Note-Taking. Source: Toolradar data, Oct 2026.
| Metric | Bear | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $2.99/mo, billed monthly | $7/mo | #9 of 77 (joint) tools with no stated price unit, verified price |
| Free plan | Yes | 84% have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 25 tools | 1 | #16 of 202 |
| Integrations listed | 1 | 2 | #27 of 37 (joint) tools with at least one integration recorded |
| User rating | 4.5/5 (across the web, 45 ratings) | 4.5/5 | #20 of 52 (joint) tools with 20+ reviews |
| Toolradar page visits, last 30 days | 87 visits | 203 | #11 of 12 tools with 50+ visits |
| Compare-page visits, last 30 days | 107 visits | 46 | #10 of 61 tools with 20+ compare-page visits |
Visitors most often compare Bear with Obsidian, iA Writer and Ulysses (last 30 days, Oct 2026).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. A lower entry price ranks higher; prices are read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. All Note-Taking data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Bear by the numbers”, Oct 2026.
Reviews (1)
Reviews written by Toolradar users. The badge on each one says what we checked about its author.
$99 Free with your review
Write a review Review Bear, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
Used Bear?
Your experience helps the next buyer decide.
Best Bear Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
iA Writer Paid
The benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing.
Einfall Freemium
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
Craft Freemium
Apple-quality notes, docs, and websites on all your devices
Ulysses Paid
The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
Apple Notes Free
Free note-taking for Apple users
Obsidian Freemium
Private and flexible note-taking
Typora Paid
A minimal Markdown editor and reader with a seamless live preview experience.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
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.
How does Bear pricing compare with other Note-Taking tools?
Bear's entry paid plan ($2.99/mo, billed monthly) ranks #9 of 77 (joint) for price among the Note-Taking tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $7/mo. Prices are read on each vendor's own pricing page and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. Source: Toolradar, Oct 2026.
Source: bear.app