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Bear alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Bear: apple devices only, and sync requires Bear Pro. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Bear, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Obsidian currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 369.8
  1. Joplin logo

    1. JoplinTop pick

    Best for: Leaving Evernote for an open-source app with encrypted sync

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    69.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bear

    Free, open-source and available on every platform.

    Pros

    • Open source with end-to-end encryption
    • Sync with your own storage
    • Imports Evernote exports

    Cons

    • Interface is plainer than commercial apps
    • Collaboration features are basic
    Visit Joplin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Joplin a good Bear alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Bear alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Obsidian logo

Best Bear alternative for most people

Obsidian

Cross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins.

Joplin logo

Best Bear alternative for a free option

Joplin

Free, open-source and available on every platform.

Notion logo

Best Bear alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Notion

Cross-platform workspace with databases and sharing.

Joplin logo

Best Bear alternative for open source

Joplin

Free, open-source and available on every platform.

Joplin logo

Best Bear alternative for self-hosting

Joplin

Free, open-source and available on every platform.

Apple Notes logo

Best Bear alternative for Mac

Apple Notes

Free and built into every Apple device, with scanning and sketching.

Obsidian logo

Best Bear alternative for Windows

Obsidian

Cross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins.

Obsidian logo

Best Bear alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Cross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins.

Obsidian logo

Best Bear alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

Cross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins.

NotePlan logo

Best Bear alternative for working in the browser

NotePlan

Markdown notes plus tasks and calendar planning on Apple devices.

Bear alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Bear?

Obsidian ranks first right now. Cross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins. Joplin and Notion follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Bear?

Yes. Obsidian (free plan + paid), Joplin (open source), Notion (free plan + paid) and Apple Notes (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Bear?

Yes: Joplin. Joplin can also be self-hosted.

Which Bear alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian and Joplin run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Bear?

The complaints we hear most: apple devices only; sync requires Bear Pro.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Bear, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.