Bear
Roam Research
Bear
Roam Research
Bear
Roam Research
No signals
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
Bear
No signals
Roam Research
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: 1 user
Storage: Not specified
Limits: No collaboration, Limited mobile experience
Users: 1 user
Storage: Not specified
Limits: No collaboration, Limited mobile experience
Users: 1 user
Storage: Not specified
Limits: Locked in for 5 years with no refund if product declines
| Feature | Bear | Roam Research |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps macOS, iOS, iPadOS | ||
| Usability | ||
| Markdown support Excellent inline preview | ||
| Outliner-based Everything is nested blocks | ||
| Desktop apps Web-based with offline mode | ||
| Bear Web Beta, limited features | ||
| Search Fast and accurate | ||
| Fast search Excellent performance | ||
| Organization | ||
| Block references Reference individual blocks anywhere | ||
| Tag organization Tags instead of folders | ||
| Bidirectional linking Not available | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Daily notes Core workflow feature | ||
| Templates Available | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Pro only, some reported issues | ||
| Offline-first Cloud-based with offline cache | ||
| Security | ||
| Note encryption Pro only | ||
| Local storage Cloud-only storage | ||
| Customization | ||
| Multiple themes Pro only | ||
| Integrations | ||
| API access Available for developers | ||
| Third-party integrations Very limited | ||
| Portability | ||
| Export to multiple formats Pro: PDF, DOCX, HTML, MD | ||
| Markdown files Proprietary format | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile apps Available but buggy | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education discount 30% off first year | ||
| Free tier No free plan available | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows app Not available | ||
| Android app Not available | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not available | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Not available | ||
| AI | ||
| AI features Not available natively | ||
| Capture | ||
| Drawing support Not available | ||
| Voice recording Not available | ||
