BearvsiA Writer
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Bear
- Apple-only: No native Windows or Android apps(9/10)
- No folders - Bear only organizes with tags(6/10)
- No collaboration features(6/10)
- No graph view for linked notes(5/10)
- No voice recording; sketches lag in heavy notes(4/10)
- Bear Web doesn't work with Advanced Data Protection(5/10)
iA Writer
- Less accessible than competitors(5/10)
- Poor for long-form writing like books or screenplays(7/10)
- Weak library organization - no tree structure(6/10)
- No true WYSIWYG Markdown preview(4/10)
- Limited features compared to Ulysses or Scrivener(5/10)
Bear
- Bear notes not syncing between devices(7/10)
- Duplicate 'conflicted' notes after editing on two devices(6/10)
- Evernote import crashes and lost images(6/10)
- Backups are manual and restoring wipes all notes(7/10)
iA Writer
- iA Writer not syncing with iCloud(7/10)
- Windows version says trial after buying(5/10)
Bear
- Limited integrations beyond Apple automation(4/10)
iA Writer
- Dropbox files not updating on iPhone and iPad(6/10)
- Google Drive folders can't be added on iPad(5/10)
- Images (Content Blocks) don't show in other Markdown apps(4/10)
Bear
- Why is Bear so slow with large notes?(6/10)
iA Writer
No signals
Bear
- Forgot Bear note password = locked notes are gone(7/10)
iA Writer
No signals
Bear
No signals
iA Writer
- Why is iA Writer so expensive? Separate purchase per platform(5/10)
- No free trial on iPhone and iPad(4/10)
- One-time purchase is not lifetime updates(4/10)
Bear
No signals
iA Writer
- iA Writer for Android discontinued(8/10)
Pricing Comparison
Bear
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited local notes (one device)
Limits: No iCloud sync, no encryption, no OCR search in PDFs/images, no PDF/DOCX/HTML/ePub export
Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Apple devices only
Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Apple devices only
Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Not available to new customers; resubscribing after a lapse is not guaranteed to keep the old price
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Request a code from support with school email/ID; not valid with an active subscription or trial; codes expire
iA Writer
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: Mac only (macOS 10.15+); 20% education discount only on direct purchase
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: App Store only (iOS 15+); iA's pricing page lists $49.99 while the US App Store shows $19.99 (Oct 2026)
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: 64-bit Windows 10 or later; no sales or Black Friday discounts
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Bear | iA Writer |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps macOS, iOS, iPadOS | ||
| Usability | ||
| Focus Mode Signature feature | ||
| Markdown support Excellent inline preview | ||
| Bear Web Beta, limited features | ||
| Fast search Excellent performance | ||
| WYSIWYG Markdown Shows raw syntax | ||
| OCR search in PDFs and images Pro only | ||
| Portability | ||
| Plain text Markdown No proprietary format | ||
| Export to multiple formats Free: TXT, MD, TextBundle, RTF; Pro: PDF, DOCX, HTML, JPG, ePub | ||
| Organization | ||
| Tag organization Nested tags instead of folders | ||
| Library organization Flat file structure only | ||
| Smart folders Not available | ||
| Bidirectional linking [[Wiki links]] + Backlinks panel | ||
| Document merging Not available | ||
| Research management Not available | ||
| Platform | ||
| Cross-platform Mac, iPhone/iPad, Windows (Android discontinued 2024) | ||
| Windows app Not available | ||
| Android app Not available | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Pro only, some reported issues | ||
| Dropbox sync Mac/Windows; iOS via Files app | ||
| Google Drive sync Mac/Windows folders; iPad only individual files | ||
| Automatic backups Manual File > Backup Notes only | ||
| Local backups Browse Backups | ||
| Security | ||
| Note encryption Pro only | ||
| Customization | ||
| Multiple themes Pro only | ||
| Writing | ||
| Style checker Realtime filler detection | ||
| Syntax highlighting Parts of speech coloring | ||
| Content Blocks (embed images/files) iA-specific syntax | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education discount 30% off first year | ||
| One-time purchase Per platform | ||
| Free trial 7 days on Mac and Windows only | ||
| Export | ||
| Word export DOCX support | ||
| PDF export Available | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Not available | ||
| Capture | ||
| Drawing support Inline sketcher (Apple Pencil/finger); ruled, dotted, grid backgrounds | ||
| Voice recording Not available | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Third-party integrations x-callback-url, Shortcuts, BearCLI, MCP server, Claude Connector (2026); no Zapier | ||
| Editing | ||
| Mermaid diagrams Added July 2026 | ||