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FSNotes alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave FSNotes: apple-only: no Windows, Android or web app, and iPhone sync is limited to iCloud Drive; no Dropbox or WebDAV. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces FSNotes, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Bear currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Bear logoBearFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS6 of 777.3
2Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +28 of 976.6
3Zettlr logoZettlrOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 469.8
4Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 365.5
5Simplenote logoSimplenoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 459.4
6Apple Notes logoApple NotesFreeNomacOS, iOS, Web4 of 453.6
  1. Bear logo

    1. BearTop pick

    Best for: Apple users who want a fast, beautiful Markdown writing app

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    77.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Polished Apple-only Markdown notes with tags, if you'd trade plain files for a nicer editor and sync.

    Pros

    • Polished, distraction-free editor
    • Nested hashtags for organizing
    • Many export formats

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Sync requires Bear Pro
    Visit Bear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1567
    Freshness ×0.1590
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Bear a good FSNotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 7 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, iPadOS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Bear Pro subscription
    Not checked yetbear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Editor
    Markdown
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $2.99 a month (Bear Pro)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Bear Pro yearly plan
    $29.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, local notes without sync
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Obsidian logo

    2. Obsidian

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    76.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Also works on a folder of Markdown files, but adds Windows, Linux, Android and a large plugin ecosystem.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1586
    Freshness ×0.1592
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Obsidian a good FSNotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 9 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, the app is free without limits
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $4 per user/month for Sync, billed annually
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Publish plan
    $8 per site/month, billed annually
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Commercial license
    $50 per user/year (optional)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    7 days for Sync and Publish
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    40% off Sync and Publish
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Zettlr logo

    3. Zettlr

    Best for: Academics and writers who want Markdown notes with citations and Pandoc export

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    69.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Free open-source Markdown editor on all desktops, aimed at research writing and citations.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Citations from Zotero, JabRef or Juris-M
    • Pandoc export to Word, PDF and LaTeX
    • Plain Markdown files on your disk

    Cons

    • No mobile apps
    • No built-in sync
    • Less suited to quick capture
    Visit Zettlr Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1553
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Zettlr a good FSNotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Funding
    Donations
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Reference managers
    Zotero, JabRef, Juris-M
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Joplin logo

    4. Joplin

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

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

    65.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Open-source Markdown notes with end-to-end encrypted sync on desktop and mobile, including Android.

    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 ×0.363
    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 FSNotes 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 29, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Simplenote logo

    5. Simplenote

    Best for: People who want fast, free plain-text notes on every device

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Free, minimal plain-text notes that sync to every platform including Windows, Android and the web.

    Pros

    • Completely free, with no paid tier or ads
    • Apps for every major platform plus the web
    • Fast and distraction-free
    • Markdown preview and version history

    Cons

    • No images, attachments or rich text
    • No folders or backlinks, only tags
    • Slow pace of new features
    • No end-to-end encryption
    Visit Simplenote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Simplenote a good FSNotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 29, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 29, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Automattic
    Checked Oct 29, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Apple Notes logo

    6. Apple Notes

    Best for: Apple users who want quick, reliable notes that sync with no setup or extra cost

    FreemacOS, iOS, Web

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from FSNotes

    Built into every Mac and iPhone; simpler, with no Markdown files but easy sharing.

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Apple devices
    • Scanning, sketching, audio transcripts and inline maths
    • Shared notes and folders for family or small groups
    • Fast, reliable iCloud sync

    Cons

    • No Windows or Android apps, only iCloud.com in a browser
    • Weak export and no Markdown files
    • No backlinks, templates or plugins
    Visit Apple Notes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Apple Notes a good FSNotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Audio transcription
    Yes, live transcripts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Inline maths
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Locked notes
    Yes, password protected
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free iCloud storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 29, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best FSNotes alternative for…

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

Bear logo

Best FSNotes alternative for most people

Bear

Polished Apple-only Markdown notes with tags, if you'd trade plain files for a nicer editor and sync.

Zettlr logo

Best FSNotes alternative for a free option

Zettlr

Free open-source Markdown editor on all desktops, aimed at research writing and citations.

Obsidian logo

Best FSNotes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Obsidian

Also works on a folder of Markdown files, but adds Windows, Linux, Android and a large plugin ecosystem.

Joplin logo

Best FSNotes alternative for open source

Joplin

Open-source Markdown notes with end-to-end encrypted sync on desktop and mobile, including Android.

Joplin logo

Best FSNotes alternative for self-hosting

Joplin

Open-source Markdown notes with end-to-end encrypted sync on desktop and mobile, including Android.

Simplenote logo

Best FSNotes alternative for Mac

Simplenote

Free, minimal plain-text notes that sync to every platform including Windows, Android and the web.

Obsidian logo

Best FSNotes alternative for Windows

Obsidian

Also works on a folder of Markdown files, but adds Windows, Linux, Android and a large plugin ecosystem.

Obsidian logo

Best FSNotes alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Also works on a folder of Markdown files, but adds Windows, Linux, Android and a large plugin ecosystem.

Obsidian logo

Best FSNotes alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

Also works on a folder of Markdown files, but adds Windows, Linux, Android and a large plugin ecosystem.

Apple Notes logo

Best FSNotes alternative for working in the browser

Apple Notes

Built into every Mac and iPhone; simpler, with no Markdown files but easy sharing.

FSNotes alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to FSNotes?

Bear ranks first right now. Polished Apple-only Markdown notes with tags, if you'd trade plain files for a nicer editor and sync. Obsidian and Zettlr follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to FSNotes?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to FSNotes?

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

Which FSNotes alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, Zettlr, Joplin and Simplenote run on Linux.

Why do people switch from FSNotes?

The complaints we hear most: apple-only: no Windows, Android or web app; iPhone sync is limited to iCloud Drive; no Dropbox or WebDAV; no real-time collaboration or shared notebooks.

How is this list ranked?

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