[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [Project Management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/project-management/) \> [Note-Taking Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/note-taking-software/) \> [Apple Notes](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/apple-notes/) \> Apple Notes vs Bear 

# Apple Notes vs Bear 

Last Updated: July 6th, 2026 

Our analysts compared [Apple Notes](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/apple-notes/) vs [Bear](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/bear-app/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [Note-Taking Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/note-taking-software/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=Note-Taking Software&cta=note-taking-software). 

[Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) 

Remove Add to Compare 

[![Apple Notes Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/ff40b691c06418347e31890b6fc1e29f-86b1852a4f82eaf914f23fbd4f5f58cb/resources/normal/logo.png?1750210367)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/apple-notes/)

Remove Add to Compare 

[![Bear Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc/resources/normal/logo.png?1750212247)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/bear-app/)

[Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Apple%2BNotes&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fff40b691c06418347e31890b6fc1e29f-86b1852a4f82eaf914f23fbd4f5f58cb%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750210367) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Apple%2BNotes&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fff40b691c06418347e31890b6fc1e29f-86b1852a4f82eaf914f23fbd4f5f58cb%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750210367) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Apple%2BNotes&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fff40b691c06418347e31890b6fc1e29f-86b1852a4f82eaf914f23fbd4f5f58cb%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750210367&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Apple%2BNotes&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fff40b691c06418347e31890b6fc1e29f-86b1852a4f82eaf914f23fbd4f5f58cb%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750210367&price=1) 

[Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Bear&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750212247) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Bear&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750212247) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Bear&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750212247&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Note-Taking+Software&product%5Fname=Bear&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1750212247&price=1) 

### Products Insights 

Product Ranking 

## #6

among all   
Note-Taking Software

## #11

among all   
Note-Taking Software

[Find out who the leaders are](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard?post%5Ftype=auto%5Fvs%5Farticle&category%5Fslug=note-taking-software&product%5Fslug=apple-notes&category=Note-Taking+Software) 

Price Starts From 

$0.99 Monthly, Freemium 

Free Trial is unavailable → 

$2.99 Monthly, Freemium 

[Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Bear&category=Note-Taking Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/01e651518630062d985188c1f0dbd83a-050db1632abf720aa9dd2d2abf4da2fc/resources/normal/logo.png?1750212247) 

Pros 

What we like about Apple Notes and Bear: 

* Comes pre-installed on Apple devices and works with no added cost for the core app.
* Apple Pencil support lets you handwrite and sketch with natural responsiveness on iPad.
* Smart folders, tags, and folders give you flexible ways to sort large note collections.
* End-to-end encryption and Face ID or Touch ID locks help keep sensitive notes private.

* Markdown support gives you fast, precise formatting that's well-suited to structured writing.
* Cross-note linking lets you connect related notes and build a web of ideas.
* Focus Mode hides interface elements so you can write without distractions.
* Custom themes and font settings let you shape the workspace to your taste.

Cons 

What we dislike about Apple Notes and Bear: 

* Web access is often hard to navigate, which limits use outside Apple devices.
* Advanced formatting and customization options are basic compared to power-user tools.
* Free iCloud storage caps at 5 GB, which can fill up fast with heavy note-taking.
* Connections with third-party business tools are limited, slowing some workflows.

* Full features need a paid subscription, including syncing across devices.
* Tag-only organization can feel less intuitive than folders for some users.
* Syncing leans on iCloud, which ties storage and cost to Apple's ecosystem.
* Export options in the free tier are limited, which can slow sharing for work use.

### Our Review 

**Bottom line:** Apple Notes and Bear App both shine inside the Apple ecosystem, but they fit different users. Pick Apple Notes if you want a dependable, free note app that's already on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Pick Bear if you write a lot in Markdown and want a sleeker, more focused space for structured notes.

Apple Notes works best when you're already deep in Apple's world and don't want to think about another app. It syncs through iCloud, supports Apple Pencil, and includes handy extras like document scanning, voice memos, and image text recognition. You get a clean interface that handles everyday capture without much fuss.

Bear is built for people who care about how their writing tools feel. The tag-based organization, cross-note links, and Focus Mode help you stay in the flow. Markdown and code block support also make it a strong pick if you write technical docs or long-form drafts.

On price, Apple Notes starts at $0.99 per month on a freemium plan, and the core app itself is free on Apple devices. Bear starts at $2.99 per month, also freemium, with the paid Pro tier needed to unlock iCloud sync across devices. Both are quote-free and easy to compare directly.

Neither tool fits you well if your team uses Windows or Android, since both stick close to Apple. Apple Notes has a limited web option, but Bear has none.

If you mostly need quick capture, checklists, and shared notes with family or coworkers on Apple gear, Apple Notes covers it without extra cost. If writing is your craft and you want Markdown, themes, and a calmer interface, Bear earns the subscription.

### Product Assistance 

Training Resources 

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Support 

Email

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Email

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

### Product Basics 

Company Size 

i 

Small

Medium

Large

Small

Medium

Large

Platforms Supported 

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Deployment Supported 

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Comparison of Top Alternatives 

[Apple Notes Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes/alternatives/) 

[Bear Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/bear-app/alternatives/) 

### Screenshots 

![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() 

![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() 

### Key Features 

* **Tag and Folder Sorting** – Folders, subfolders, and smart folders sort your notes by tag, date, or other rules so large libraries stay easy to scan.
* **Apple Pencil Input** – Handwriting and sketching work directly on iPad, with image recognition that pulls text from drawings and photos for search.
* **Document Scanning** – A built-in scanner captures paper documents straight into a note, which Bear doesn't offer natively.
* **Quick Note Capture** – Quick Note on iPad and Mac, plus Siri shortcuts, let you jot ideas from any app without breaking your flow.
* **Locked Notes** – Password protection with Face ID or Touch ID locks individual notes, giving you item-level privacy on top of encryption.

* **Nested Tag System** – Tags can nest inside other tags, building a hierarchy that replaces folders and keeps related notes grouped without rigid structure.
* **Markdown Editing** – Robust Markdown formatting with code block syntax highlighting suits writers and developers who want lightweight markup over rich text menus.
* **Cross-Note Links** – You can link notes to each other to build a connected knowledge base, which goes beyond what Apple Notes offers for linking.
* **Focus Mode** – A distraction-free view hides menus and panels so you can concentrate on the writing in front of you.
* **Flexible Exports** – Pro users can send notes out as PDF, HTML, DOCX, and more, with custom export templates for repeat formats.

### Top Alternatives in Note-Taking Software 

[  Bear ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/bear-app/) [  Craft ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/craft-docs/) [  Evernote ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/evernote/) [  Genio ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/genio/) [  Google Keep ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/google-keep/) [  Joplin ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/joplin-notes/) [  Notability ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/notability/) [  Obsidian ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes/) [  OneNote ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/onenote/) [  Penbook ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/note-taking-software/penbook/) 

### Head-to-Head Comparison 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Bear Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Bear](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-bear-app/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Evernote Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Evernote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/evernote-vs-apple-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Genio Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Genio](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-genio/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Google Keep Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Google Keep](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/google-keep-vs-apple-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Joplin Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Joplin](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-joplin-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Notability Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Notability](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/notability-vs-apple-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Obsidian Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Obsidian](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/obsidian-notes-vs-apple-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![OneNote Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS OneNote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/onenote-vs-apple-notes/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Roam Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Roam](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-roam-research/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Simplenote Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Simplenote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-simplenote/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![UpNote Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS UpNote](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-upnote/) 

![Apple Notes Software Tool]() 

![Zoho Notebook Software Tool]() 

[Apple Notes VS Zoho Notebook](https://www.selecthub.com/note-taking-software/apple-notes-vs-zoho-notebook/) 

**About SelectHub (and our data)** 

We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies.

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() 

![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() 

**Tier 1:**  
Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment.  
Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. 

**Tier 2:**  
Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs.  
Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. 

**Tier 3:**  
Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost.  
Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 

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