SiYuan vs Bear: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
SiYuan
Privacy-First Open Source Note-Taking and Knowledge Management
Bear
Beautiful Markdown Note-Taking App for Mac, iPhone & iPad
SiYuan
Privacy-First Open Source Note-Taking and Knowledge Management
Bear
Beautiful Markdown Note-Taking App for Mac, iPhone & iPad
What are SiYuan and Bear?
SiYuan is a personal knowledge management system that treats every piece of content as a block. These blocks can be linked, referenced, and organized in multiple ways. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, SiYuan gives you complete control by storing everything locally on your device.
The tool uses a block-based approach where even whole documents are treated as blocks. This makes it easy to split, move, and connect information without breaking existing links. You can create bidirectional links between ideas, use outlines to organize thoughts, and view your knowledge as a graph.
It includes features like mathematical formulas, charts, flashcards for learning, and database views. The app is self-hosted, meaning you own your data completely.
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.
Features of SiYuan and Bear
Privacy-first with complete offline use
Block-level references and bidirectional links
Markdown editor with visual formatting
End-to-end encrypted sync
Spaced repetition flashcards
Database views with relations
Self-hosted deployment option
Multiple device support
Mathematical formulas and charts
Open source and free for local use
Graph view of knowledge connections
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
Use Cases of SiYuan and Bear
Pricing of SiYuan and Bear
SiYuan offers three pricing options designed to meet different user needs. The Free version gives you lifetime access to all core features for local use, including block editing, markdown support, and offline access. This makes SiYuan perfect for individual users who want complete control without any cost.
The PRO Features package costs $64 as a one-time lifetime payment (discounted from $96) and unlocks integration with third-party services like Amazon S3 and WebDAV for sync and backup.
The Subscription plan costs $148 lifetime (discounted from $296) and includes everything in PRO plus official cloud sync with 8GB storage space, cloud inbox for collecting ideas, and automatic backup. Limited seats are available for this plan.
All features for creating and managing notes locally remain free forever, even for commercial use.
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.
FAQs: SiYuan vs Bear
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