Bear vs UpNote: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Bear
Beautiful Markdown Note-Taking App for Mac, iPhone & iPad
Bear
Beautiful Markdown Note-Taking App for Mac, iPhone & iPad
What are Bear and UpNote?
Bear is a writing and note-taking tool that runs on Apple devices. You type notes in plain text and add formatting using simple Markdown commands. This means you can make text bold, create headers, add links, or insert images without reaching for your mouse.
The app organizes notes using tags. Instead of putting notes in folders, you add hashtags anywhere in your text. These tags appear in the sidebar, and you can nest them for deeper organization. For example, you might use tags like work, personal, or ideas.
Bear keeps everything private and stored locally on your device. The free version offers solid features, while Bear Pro adds extras like cloud sync between devices, more export options, and the ability to search text inside images and PDF files.
UpNote is a note-taking tool that helps you write, organize, and find your notes quickly. You can create notes with text, images, files, and even tables. The app works on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, so you can access your notes from any device.
The app uses a simple system of notebooks and tags to keep everything neat. You can also protect your private notes with a password lock. UpNote works offline too, so you can write notes even without internet, and they sync automatically when you connect again.
There is a free version that lets you store up to 50 notes, and a premium version with unlimited notes and extra features.
Features of Bear and UpNote
Markdown text formatting with simple commands
Tag-based organization with nested tags
Cross-device sync with iCloud (Pro)
Apple Pencil sketching support on iPad
Export to PDF, Word, HTML, and more formats
Search text inside images and PDFs (Pro)
28+ beautiful themes to customize appearance
Password and Face ID note encryption
Apple Watch dictation support
No account required to start
Works on all devices with instant sync
Rich text formatting with colors and highlights
Offline access with automatic sync
Organize with notebooks and tags
Password and biometric lock protection
Insert images, files, and tables
Focus mode for distraction-free writing
Markdown support for fast typing
Export to PDF, HTML, and Markdown
Web clipper browser extension available
Use Cases of Bear and UpNote
Pricing of Bear and UpNote
Bear offers both free and paid options to fit different needs. The free version gives you access to all core features including unlimited notes, document scanning, basic export options, and three themes. You can use Bear free forever without paying anything.
Bear Pro costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year, saving you about 15 percent with the annual plan. The 7-day free trial lets you test all Pro features before deciding. Pro adds powerful extras like sync between all your Apple devices using iCloud, more export formats including PDF and Word, over 28 beautiful themes, search inside images and PDFs, and 15 custom app icons.
The yearly price may vary based on your country and local taxes. Whether you choose free or Pro, there are no ads or data collection in Bear.
UpNote offers simple and affordable pricing that fits different needs. The free version allows you to create up to 50 notes with basic features, which is perfect for light users who want to try the app.
UpNote Premium unlocks the full power of the app at just $1.99 per month or a one-time payment of $39.99 for lifetime access. Premium features include unlimited notes across all platforms, the ability to add attachments and tables, password protection for notebooks, elegant themes and custom notebook covers, and export options to text, PDF, HTML, and Markdown formats.
You can purchase Premium from the iOS, Android, or Mac app, and it automatically syncs across all your devices including Windows and Linux when you sign in to your account. Prices may vary by region.
FAQs: Bear vs UpNote
Reviews: Bear vs UpNote
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