Bear vs Standard Notes
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Encrypted notes app focused on longevity and privacy.
The verdict
Both Bear and Standard Notes 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.
Choose Standard Notes if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. Encrypted notes app focused on longevity and privacy.
Bear vs Standard Notes: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | Standard Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free – $90/user/yr |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Privacy Conscious Users, Writers |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, AndroidWinner |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.5/5 |
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
Standard Notes key facts
- Vendor
- Standard Notes
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $90/user/yr
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Privacy Conscious Users, Writers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Canada
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than Standard Notes?
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 Standard Notes cheaper?
Bear is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2.99/mo. Bear starts at free – $2.99/mo; Standard Notes starts at free – $90/user/yr.
Can Bear replace Standard Notes?
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.