Bear vs SilverBullet
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Hackable, self-hosted markdown notebook for power users.
The verdict
Both Bear and SilverBullet are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Bear if you want a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Beautiful Markdown notes for Apple.
SilverBullet — Hackable, self-hosted markdown notebook for power users.
Bear vs SilverBullet: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | SilverBullet |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Developers, Self Hosters |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Web, Self Hosted |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Bear key facts
- Vendor
- Shiny Frog
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $2.99/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Ios
- Best for
- Writers, Apple Users
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Italy
SilverBullet key facts
- Vendor
- SilverBullet
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Self Hosters
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Netherlands
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than SilverBullet?
Neither is universally better — Bear edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Bear or SilverBullet cheaper?
Bear is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2.99/mo. Bear starts at free – $2.99/mo; SilverBullet starts at free.
Can Bear replace SilverBullet?
Yes for most teams — both are note taking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.