Bear review

Bear is a polished writing app for people who found Evernote's editor cluttered. Notes use Markdown, so headings, lists and links are typed rather than clicked, and a single note can mix text, photos, tables, to-do lists and sketches drawn with Apple Pencil. Organization runs on tags rather than notebooks, with over 250 icons to make tags stand out and options to pin the important ones. The free version works fully on one device with document scanning and export to TXT, Markdown, TextBundle, RTF, PDF, JPG, HTML, DOCX and ePub. Bear Pro is where Evernote users will land, because iCloud sync across devices and search inside photos and PDFs are Pro features. Bear's site lists Pro at $2.99 a month after a 7 day free trial or $29.99 a year. Bear says your notes are between you and iCloud, offers encryption for individual notes and supports Apple's Advanced Data Protection. The limits are platform and structure: there are apps only for Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Who it is for

Apple users who write in Markdown

Price

Free app; Bear Pro $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year after a 7 day free trial.

A 7 day free trial, then $2.99 /month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Markdown editor with text, photos, tables and to-do lists in one note
• Flexible tags with over 250 icons and pinned tags
• Inline sketches with Apple Pencil or a finger
• Bear Pro adds iCloud sync and search inside photos and PDFs
• Note encryption and support for Apple's Advanced Data Protection

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free version includes document scanning and export to formats including PDF, DOCX and ePub
• Strength: Bear Pro is $29.99 a year, about 15% less than paying monthly
• Strength: Apple Design Award winner with a minimal interface
• Weakness: Syncing between devices requires Bear Pro
• Weakness: Apps are for Mac, iPhone and iPad only
• Weakness: Free version has 3 themes and 1 app icon

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, local notes only
• Bear Pro: $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year
• Free trial: 7 days
• Platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad

Where it ranks

Bear is No. 5 in our Best Evernote Alternatives verdict.