Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Bear vs Gamma

Bear logo

Bear

Productivity

Markdown notes for Apple devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Gamma logo

Gamma

Productivity

AI-powered presentation and document creation software

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bear built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client; Gamma free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bear and Gamma actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear and Gamma differ
AttributeBearGamma
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

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

Nothing recorded that Gamma does not also cover.

Only in Gamma

  • AI Slide Generation
  • Advanced Image Models
  • Custom Branding
  • API Access
  • Custom Domains
  • Analytics
  • Studio Mode
  • AI Credits

What people use each for

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

Bear

  • Note-taking with document scanningnot Gamma
  • Cross-device note synchronizationnot Gamma

Gamma

  • Rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and salesnot Bear
  • Generating report decks from company data and metricsnot Bear
  • Creating training and onboarding presentations automaticallynot Bear
  • Building product demos and case study presentationsnot Bear
  • Team collaboration on branded presentations with shared assetsnot Bear

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bear

  • Built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client
  • Free tier is limited to 3 themes, 1 app icon and restricted export formats; iCloud sync requires Bear Pro
  • Bear Pro is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a 7 day free trial

Gamma

  • Free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly
  • Credit rollover capped at 2x monthly allocation, forcing month-to-month spending
  • Refund window limited to 3 days with usage thresholds restricting claims
  • Per-seat pricing on team plans increases costs for large organizations
  • Studio Mode limited to Ultra plan, restricting advanced editing to highest tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Bear

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Local note access
    • Document scanning
    • PDF, image, text, markdown, HTML, DOCX, ePub export
  • Pro$2.99/month
    • All free features plus 28+ themes
    • 15 app icons
    • PDF and image search across notes
  • Pro$29.99/year
    • All free features plus 28+ themes
    • 15 app icons
    • PDF and image search across notes

Gamma

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 400 AI credits (one-time, non-renewable)
    • Up to 10 cards per prompt
    • Basic AI
  • Plus$12/month
    • 1,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 20 cards per prompt
    • Badge removal on exports
  • Pro$25/month
    • 4,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 50 cards per prompt
    • Premium AI models
  • Ultra$100/month
    • 20,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 75 cards per prompt
    • Most advanced AI models

Which should you pick?

Choose Bear if

  • You want to start without paying.

Choose Gamma if

  • You need ai slide generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want advanced image models.

Questions people ask

Is Bear or Gamma better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear starts at Free and Gamma at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bear or Gamma?
Bear starts at Free and Gamma at Free.
Does Bear or Gamma run on more platforms?
Bear runs on Web. Gamma runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Bear for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bear best used for?
Bear is most often used for note-taking with document scanning, cross-device note synchronization. Of those, note-taking with document scanning and cross-device note synchronization are not what Gamma is typically brought in for.
What can Bear do that Gamma cannot?
Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, Advanced Image Models, Custom Branding, API Access.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bear: Does Bear offer a free plan?

Yes, Bear has a free plan with local note access, document scanning, and export to multiple formats, but without iCloud sync or PDF/image search.

Source
Gamma: How do Gamma AI credits work?

Each plan includes a monthly AI credit allowance. Free users receive 400 one-time credits. Plus plan includes 1,000 monthly credits, Pro includes 4,000 monthly credits, and Ultra includes 20,000 monthly credits. Unused credits roll over up to 2x the monthly allowance.

Source
Bear: How much does Bear Pro cost?

Bear Pro is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. The yearly plan offers approximately 15% savings compared to monthly billing.

Source
Gamma: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 400 AI credits (one-time), up to 10 cards per prompt, basic AI, Gamma branding on output, and 7-day change history.

Source
Bear: Is there a free trial for Bear Pro?

Yes, Bear Pro includes a 7-day free trial before charging begins.

Source
Gamma: What payment and refund options does Gamma offer?

Gamma offers a 3-day refund window for monthly plans if you have used less than 10-20 percent of your monthly credits depending on the plan.

Source
Gamma: How much do Team and Business plans cost?

Team plans cost $20 per seat per month with a minimum of 2 seats, including 6,000 AI credits per seat. Business plans cost $40 per seat per month with a minimum of 10 seats, including 10,000 AI credits per seat.

Source
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