Bear vs Trilium Notes
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Hierarchical open-source notes for building knowledge bases.
The verdict
Both Bear and Trilium 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 Trilium Notes if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. Hierarchical open-source notes for building knowledge bases.
Bear vs Trilium Notes: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | Trilium Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Developers, Knowledge Hoarders |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Windows, Mac, Linux, Self HostedWinner |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.4/5 |
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
Trilium Notes key facts
- Vendor
- Trilium
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Knowledge Hoarders
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Czech Republic
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than Trilium 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 Trilium 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; Trilium Notes starts at free.
Can Bear replace Trilium 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.