Software · head to head
Bear Notes vs Microsoft To Do
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Microsoft To Do covers My Day suggestions.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bear Notes and Microsoft To Do actually diverge.
| Attribute | Bear Notes | Microsoft To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | MacOS, IOS, IPadOS | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos |
| Founded | 2015 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Bear Notes
- Markdown-based notes
- Powerful tag system
- Rich text formatting
- Image support
- iCloud sync
- Dark and light themes
- Encryption support
- Backup and restore
Only in Microsoft To Do
- My Day suggestions
- List sharing
- Steps
- Due dates
- Reminders
- Outlook
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Teams
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Bear Notes
- Markdown note taking on Apple devicesnot Microsoft To Do
- Organising notes with nested hashtags rather than foldersnot Microsoft To Do
- Exporting notes to PDF, DOCX, HTML or ePubnot Microsoft To Do
Microsoft To Do
- Schedulingnot Bear Notes
- Appointment bookingnot Bear Notes
- Time trackingnot Bear Notes
- Resource managementnot Bear Notes
- Team coordinationnot Bear Notes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Bear Notes
- Apple only: Bear runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad with no Windows, Android or web app
- Sync across devices requires Bear Pro and works through iCloud only
- The free version is limited to 3 export formats, 3 themes and 1 app icon
- OCR search inside images and PDFs is Pro only
- Note encryption is Pro only
- The Pro trial lasts 7 days
Microsoft To Do
Nothing recorded yet. See the Microsoft To Do review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Bear Notes
Free- FreeFree
- Note creation and organization
- Tags
- Local sync
- Premium$1.99/month
- iCloud sync
- Themes
- Markdown export
Microsoft To Do
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited tasks
- My Day
- List sharing
Which should you pick?
Choose Bear Notes if
- You need markdown-based notes.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
- You also want powerful tag system.
Choose Microsoft To Do if
- You need my day suggestions.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
- You also want list sharing.
Questions people ask
- Is Bear Notes or Microsoft To Do better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bear Notes starts at Free and Microsoft To Do at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Bear Notes or Microsoft To Do?
- Bear Notes starts at Free and Microsoft To Do at Free.
- Does Bear Notes or Microsoft To Do run on more platforms?
- Bear Notes runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS. Microsoft To Do runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
- Can I use Bear Notes for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Bear Notes best used for?
- Bear Notes is most often used for markdown note taking on apple devices, organising notes with nested hashtags rather than folders, exporting notes to pdf, docx, html or epub. Of those, markdown note taking on apple devices and organising notes with nested hashtags rather than folders are not what Microsoft To Do is typically brought in for.
- What can Bear Notes do that Microsoft To Do cannot?
- Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Powerful tag system, Rich text formatting, Image support. Microsoft To Do covers My Day suggestions, List sharing, Steps, Due dates.
Related pages
More on Microsoft To Do
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- Microsoft To Do vs Timepage
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