Alternatives · Note-Taking
MiaoYan alternatives
MiaoYan compared with 5 alternatives: FSNotes, Obsidian, The Archive, Bear and NotePlus.
MiaoYan has a free plan. Paid plans start at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition). 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiaoYanThis tool | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| FSNotes | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Obsidian | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| The Archive | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Bear | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| NotePlus | Free plan · from $29 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS |
How each one differs from MiaoYan
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
FSNotes
Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone
- FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition).
- MiaoYan also covers linked notes and presentations.
Suits: Mac and iPhone users who want notes kept as plain Markdown files
- 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). MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition).
- Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
- Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
The Archive
Plain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten
- The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase. MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition).
- MiaoYan has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only MiaoYan lists an iOS app.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
- MiaoYan also covers presentations.
Suits: Writers and researchers practicing the Zettelkasten method
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Bear
Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links
- Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition).
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
- MiaoYan can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Bear also covers web clipper.
Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Free plan · from $29 one-time
NotePlus
Native Markdown notes app with kanban boards and AI chat
- NotePlus starts at $29 one-time purchase (Basic license, 1 computer). MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition).
- Only NotePlus lists a Windows app.
- MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
- NotePlus also covers kanban boards.
- MiaoYan also covers presentations.
Suits: People who want Markdown notes as plain files in their own cloud folder
Limits worth knowing in MiaoYan
- No Windows, Linux, Android or web version: the Mac app needs macOS 12.0 or later and the iPhone and iPad app needs iOS 18.0 or later.
- The free open-source build receives fixes only. New features and the iPhone and iPad app come with the $14.99 App Store edition.
- There is no WYSIWYG editing and no plugin system: you write Markdown source and read the result in a separate preview.
- The app has no sync service or account of its own, so a cloud-drive client has to keep the notes folder in step across devices.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to MiaoYan?
The alternatives to MiaoYan in this directory are FSNotes, Obsidian, The Archive, Bear and NotePlus. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with MiaoYan.
Is there a free alternative to MiaoYan?
Yes. FSNotes, Obsidian, Bear and NotePlus have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which MiaoYan alternatives work on Windows?
The MiaoYan listing does not include a Windows app. Obsidian and NotePlus list one.
Which MiaoYan alternatives work on Linux?
The MiaoYan listing does not include a Linux app. Obsidian lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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