Bear vs Simplenote

What Bear is

Bear is a Markdown note app for Apple devices with tag-based organisation and a focus on writing. Tags replace folders, so structure emerges from writing rather than being decided up front, and export to Markdown, HTML or PDF is clean. It is Apple-only, which rules it out the moment part of your work happens on Windows or Android.

What Simplenote is

Simplenote is free, fast, plain-text note taking that syncs everywhere and does nothing else.

What Bear is built to do

Tag-based organisation

Files notes by inline tags instead of a fixed folder tree.

Markdown editing

Writes in Markdown with formatting rendered in place.

Apple-ecosystem sync

Syncs notes across Mac, iPhone and iPad through iCloud.

Choose Bear if

• Apple users who want a beautiful Markdown notes app with tags and wiki links
• Writers who need iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone and iPad for $2.99/month or $29.99/year
• People who want to try before paying — 7-day trial

Skip Bear if

• You need sync for free: the free tier is local-only with 3 themes and no PDF/image search
• You use Windows, Android or the web — Bear is Apple only
• You need collaboration or shared notebooks

Choose Simplenote if

• Anyone who wants a free, plain-text notes app that syncs across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web
• Writers who want Markdown preview and publishing without a subscription
• People who value simplicity over attachments and rich formatting

Skip Simplenote if

• You need images, attachments or rich text — Simplenote is text only
• You need end-to-end encryption or offline-first local files
• You want a company support contract; it is a free Automattic product

Bear: pros & cons

• Beautiful, distraction-free writing
• Tag organisation instead of folders
• Fast and native
• Apple platforms only
• Sync requires the subscription
• Limited collaboration

Simplenote: pros & cons

• Genuinely free with no tier
• Instant sync and search
• Available on every platform
• Plain text only, no attachments
• No organisation beyond tags
• No collaboration to speak of