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Obsidian vs Bear: catalog facts
Obsidian	Bear
Free Free for everyone, including commercial use, in the vendor’s own words. Obsidian Sync and…	Freemium Free tier available; Bear Pro subscription adds sync and export options.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension	macOS, iOS, Browser extension
Notes are plain Markdown files in a folder you control, readable without the app Linking, backlinks, tags, graph view and fast search across the vault	Tag-based organization is flexible compared to rigid folder structures Polished, native Apple design
The application is not open source, only the plugin ecosystem and the releases repository Syncing between devices means paying for Obsidian Sync or wiring up your own sync tool	Apple platforms only, no Windows or Android version Advanced features like export options require a subscription
Downloadable app, Browser extension	Downloadable app, Browser extension
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

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