Bear alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
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.
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Show all 5 alternativesThe best Bear alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Bear alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
NotionCross-platform workspace with databases and sharing.
Best Bear alternative for Mac
Apple NotesFree and built into every Apple device, with scanning and sketching.
Best Bear alternative for iPhone and Android
ObsidianCross-platform local Markdown notes with plugins.
Best Bear alternative for working in the browser
NotePlanMarkdown 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.