TL;DR
Bear vs Apple Notes: For most Mac users in 2026, Apple Notes is the better choice for Note apps because it is free while Bear charges for full use. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Bear instead if notes support is your priority.
Which is better: Bear or Apple Notes?
Apple Notes is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Note apps — it is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Bear is the stronger choice if you prefer its Note apps ecosystem. Both are worth trying.
Bear vs Apple Notes
Which is the better Note apps for Mac in 2026?
We compared Bear and Apple Notes across 6 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Read our full breakdown below.
Bear
Beautiful and flexible Markdown writing app for notes and long-form writing on Mac.
Apple Notes
Built-in macOS note-taking app with iCloud sync, rich text, and collaboration features.
Our Verdict
For most Mac users in 2026, Apple Notes is the better choice for Note apps because it is free while Bear charges for full use. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Bear instead if notes support is your priority.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Bear | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | — | Bear ($3/month) |
| Best for | notes, markdown, writing | notes, writing, apple |
| Install | brew install --cask bear | brew install --cask apple-notes |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
Quick Install
brew install --cask bearbrew install --cask apple-notesLearn More
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