Softwr

Software · head to head

Bear Notes vs Setmore

Bear Notes logo

Bear Notes

Software

Beautiful note-taking app for Apple devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Setmore logo

Setmore

Software

Free appointment scheduling and customer management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bear Notes apple only: Bear runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad with no Windows, Android or web app; Setmore free plan limited to 4 users maximum
  • They diverge on capability: Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Setmore covers Unlimited appointments.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bear Notes and Setmore actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear Notes and Setmore differ
AttributeBear NotesSetmore
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20152008

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 Setmore

  • Unlimited appointments
  • Online booking
  • Calendar synchronization
  • Customer database
  • Email reminders
  • SMS reminders
  • Mobile app
  • Custom branding

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bear Notes

  • Markdown note taking on Apple devicesnot Setmore
  • Organising notes with nested hashtags rather than foldersnot Setmore
  • Exporting notes to PDF, DOCX, HTML or ePubnot Setmore

Setmore

  • Online appointment and booking managementnot Bear Notes
  • Service provider scheduling platformnot Bear Notes
  • Customer communication via email and SMS remindersnot 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

Setmore

  • Free plan limited to 4 users maximum
  • Free plan limited to 200 appointments per month
  • Live receptionist add-on limited to US only
  • Custom enterprise pricing not published

Pricing, plan by plan

Bear Notes

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Note creation and organization
    • Tags
    • Local sync
  • Premium$1.99/month
    • iCloud sync
    • Themes
    • Markdown export

Setmore

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Setmore review.

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.
Bear Notes review

Choose Setmore if

  • You need unlimited appointments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want online booking.
Setmore review

Questions people ask

Is Bear Notes or Setmore better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear Notes starts at Free and Setmore at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bear Notes or Setmore?
Bear Notes starts at Free and Setmore at Free.
Does Bear Notes or Setmore run on more platforms?
Bear Notes runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS. Setmore runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Setmore is typically brought in for.
What can Bear Notes do that Setmore cannot?
Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Powerful tag system, Rich text formatting, Image support. Setmore covers Unlimited appointments, Online booking, Calendar synchronization, Customer database.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Bear Notes

More on Setmore

Keep looking

Other head to heads