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Bear vs Apple Notes: catalog facts
Bear	Apple Notes
Freemium Free tier available; Bear Pro subscription adds sync and export options.	Free Free, bundled with macOS and iOS.
macOS, iOS, Browser extension	macOS, iOS
Tag-based organization is flexible compared to rigid folder structures Polished, native Apple design	Comes preinstalled and free on every Apple device OCR lets you search text inside scanned images and photos
Apple platforms only, no Windows or Android version Advanced features like export options require a subscription	Tied to the Apple ecosystem with no native Windows or Android app Lacks the structured databases and linking found in dedicated knowledge-base apps
Downloadable app, Browser extension	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.