Softwr

Software · head to head

Bear vs Microsoft OneNote

Bear logo

Bear

Software

Markdown notes for Apple devices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Software

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft OneNote has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bear built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client; Microsoft OneNote full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bear and Microsoft OneNote actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear and Microsoft OneNote differ
AttributeBearMicrosoft OneNote
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown1975

Identical on both: 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

Nothing recorded that Microsoft OneNote does not also cover.

Only in Microsoft OneNote

  • Digital notebook with sections and pages
  • Rich text formatting
  • Drawing and handwriting
  • Image and file attachments
  • Web clipper
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Collaboration and sharing
  • Search functionality

What people use each for

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

Bear

No use cases recorded yet. See the Bear review.

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivitynot Bear
  • Collaborationnot Bear
  • Task managementnot Bear
  • Organizationnot 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

Microsoft OneNote

  • Full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only

Pricing, plan by plan

Bear

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bear review.

Microsoft OneNote

Free
  • OneNoteFree
    • Unlimited free notes
    • Cross-device sync
    • Collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose Bear if

Nothing in the data separates Bear from Microsoft OneNote on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Bear review

Choose Microsoft OneNote if

  • You need digital notebook with sections and pages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want rich text formatting.
Microsoft OneNote review

Questions people ask

Is Bear or Microsoft OneNote better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear starts at On request and Microsoft OneNote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bear or Microsoft OneNote?
Microsoft OneNote has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bear and Free for Microsoft OneNote.
Does Bear or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
Bear runs on Web. Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Microsoft OneNote for free?
Yes. Microsoft OneNote has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bear starts at On request.
What can Bear do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Bear

More on Microsoft OneNote

Keep looking

Other head to heads