Bear alternatives · Note-Taking
End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Bear
The Bear listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. 12 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Bear has a free plan. Paid plans start at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. 11 of them are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Bear
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Obsidian also covers whiteboard.
- Free trial · from $8.31/mo
Inkdrop
Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync
- Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Bear has a free plan. Inkdrop does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Inkdrop lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Inkdrop is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Notesnook lists a web app.
- Only Notesnook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Joplin
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose
- Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Joplin lists a web app.
- Only Joplin lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Standard Notes lists a web app.
- Only Standard Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €3/mo
Cryptee
Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia
- Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Cryptee lists a web app.
- Only Bear lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Free plan · from $64 one-time
SiYuan
Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks
- SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only SiYuan lists a web app.
- Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Lockbook
Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing
- Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Lockbook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free
FUTO Notes
Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync
- FUTO Notes is free. Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only FUTO Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- FUTO Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Anytype
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data
- Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Anytype lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.20/mo
Mimiri Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes in a tree, with encrypted sharing
- Mimiri Notes starts at $1.20 per month, or $12 per year (Tier 1). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only Mimiri Notes lists a web app.
- Only Mimiri Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Free plan · from $3.99/mo
DeepNotes
End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes
- DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year.
- Only DeepNotes lists a web app.
- Only DeepNotes lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Bear lists an iOS app.
Common questions
Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Bear?
Yes. Obsidian, Inkdrop, Notesnook, Joplin, Standard Notes, Cryptee, SiYuan, Lockbook and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Is Bear end-to-end encrypted?
The Bear listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these note-taking apps are free?
Obsidian, Notesnook, Joplin, Standard Notes, Cryptee, SiYuan, Lockbook, FUTO Notes and 3 more are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Bear: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.