Bear
Obsidian
Bear
Obsidian
Bear
Obsidian
No signals
Bear
No signals
Obsidian
Bear
No signals
Obsidian
Bear
No signals
Obsidian
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited notes
Limits: No iCloud sync, No note encryption, Limited themes
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: Apple devices only, Must not let subscription lapse
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Requires student/educator verification
Users: Unlimited
Storage: Unlimited (local)
Limits: No built-in sync, No web access to publish, Must self-manage backups
Users: 1 user
Storage: 10GB total, 200MB per file
Limits: Per-vault pricing, Cannot share with others
Users: 1 site
Storage: 4GB
Limits: One-way sharing only, Not collaborative editing
Users: 1 user
Storage: N/A
Limits: Not required for any features, Purely supporter benefit
| Feature | Bear | Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps macOS, iOS, iPadOS | ||
| Security | ||
| Local-first storage Plain Markdown files you own | ||
| Note encryption Pro only | ||
| End-to-end encrypted sync Obsidian Sync only ($4/mo) | ||
| Usability | ||
| Markdown support Excellent inline preview | ||
| Bear Web Beta, limited features | ||
| Fast search Excellent performance | ||
| Web version No browser access | ||
| Organization | ||
| Tag organization Tags instead of folders | ||
| Bidirectional linking Not available | ||
| Native database views Requires Dataview plugin | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Pro only, some reported issues | ||
| Offline access Full offline by default | ||
| Customization | ||
| Community plugins 1000+ available, quality varies | ||
| Custom themes Extensive theme marketplace | ||
| Multiple themes Pro only | ||
| Portability | ||
| Export to multiple formats Pro: PDF, DOCX, HTML, MD | ||
| Publishing | ||
| Publish to web Obsidian Publish ($8/mo) | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile apps iOS and Android, basic experience | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education discount 30% off first year | ||
| Free personal use No feature restrictions | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows app Not available | ||
| Android app Not available | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Templates Core and Templater plugin | ||
| Built-in task management Requires plugins | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Canvas/whiteboard Built-in canvas feature | ||
| Graph view Not available | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not available | ||
| Capture | ||
| Drawing support Not available | ||
| Voice recording Not available | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Third-party integrations Very limited | ||
| AI | ||
| AI features Requires third-party plugins | ||
