Bear vs Joplin
Bear is elegant markdown writing app for Apple devices with tags, themes, and export options, while Joplin is open-source note-taking with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync via any cloud. The biggest difference up front: Joplin is free, while Bear starts at $2.99/mo. Bear is built for writers who want a beautiful markdown editor, whereas Joplin targets privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking.
| Feature | Bear | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| E2E Encryption | — | ✓ |
| Focus Mode | ✓ | — |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open Source | — | ✓ |
| Tags | ✓ | — |
| Themes | ✓ | — |
| Webclipper | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Joplin is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Bear starts at $2.99/mo, but Free without sync. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Bear offers Focus Mode, Tags and Themes that Joplin lacks. Joplin brings E2E Encryption, Open Source and Webclipper that Bear does not have. Both share Markdown.
Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Open source: Joplin is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Bear is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Bear's biggest strengths are: full markdown support with live preview for clean, structured notes. includes tags as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows. Joplin's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development.
Watch out for: With Bear, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Joplin, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.
choose Bear if
- You need a tool built for writers who want a beautiful markdown editor
- You specifically need Focus Mode and Tags
- You care about includes tags as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows
- The free tier works for you: free without sync
choose Joplin if
- You need a tool built for privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking
- Budget is a hard constraint — Joplin is free, Bear is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need E2E Encryption and Open Source
- You care about open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development
frequently asked
What is the difference between Bear and Joplin?
Bear is elegant markdown writing app for Apple devices with tags, themes, and export options, while Joplin is open-source note-taking with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync via any cloud. The biggest difference up front: Joplin is free, while Bear starts at $2.99/mo. Bear is built for writers who want a beautiful markdown editor, whereas Joplin targets privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking.
Should I use Bear or Joplin?
Joplin is the free option; Bear charges $2.99/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Bear over Joplin?
Choose Bear if You need a tool built for writers who want a beautiful markdown editor; You specifically need Focus Mode and Tags; You care about includes tags as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows; The free tier works for you: free without sync.
When should I choose Joplin over Bear?
Choose Joplin if You need a tool built for privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking; Budget is a hard constraint — Joplin is free, Bear is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need E2E Encryption and Open Source; You care about open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development.
related comparisons
Notion vs Bear · Obsidian vs Bear · Logseq vs Bear · Roam Research vs Bear · Coda vs Bear · Craft vs Bear · Mem vs Bear · Apple Notes vs Bear