Bear
Scrivener
Bear
Scrivener
Bear
Scrivener
No signals
Bear
No signals
Scrivener
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
Limits: Trial counts usage days not calendar days, expires after 30 days of use
Users: 1 user
Limits: Single platform only, no cross-platform license
Users: 1 user
Limits: iOS not included
Users: 1 user
Limits: Requires desktop version for full workflow, sync can be finicky
Users: 1 user
Limits: Must prove student/academic status
Users: 1 user
Limits: Requires existing license
| Feature | Bear | Scrivener |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps macOS, iOS, iPadOS | ||
| Organization | ||
| Binder organization system Hierarchical document structure | ||
| Corkboard view Index card visualization | ||
| Tag organization Tags instead of folders | ||
| Outliner view Spreadsheet-style overview | ||
| Research folder Store PDFs, images, web pages | ||
| Character/Setting templates Built-in templates | ||
| Custom metadata User-defined fields | ||
| Collections Virtual groupings | ||
| Bidirectional linking Not available | ||
| Usability | ||
| Markdown support Excellent inline preview | ||
| Bear Web Beta, limited features | ||
| Fast search Excellent performance | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Pro only, some reported issues | ||
| Export | ||
| Compile/Export Powerful but complex to learn | ||
| Screenplay formatting Industry-standard scripts | ||
| Security | ||
| Note encryption Pro only | ||
| Customization | ||
| Multiple themes Pro only | ||
| Backup | ||
| Snapshots (version history) Manual version snapshots | ||
| Portability | ||
| Export to multiple formats Pro: PDF, DOCX, HTML, MD | ||
| Editing | ||
| Split editor View two documents simultaneously | ||
| Table support Buggy implementation | ||
| Writing | ||
| Writing statistics Word counts, targets, progress | ||
| Full-screen composition mode Distraction-free writing | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education discount 30% off first year | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows app Not available | ||
| Android app Not available | ||
| Web version Desktop only | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not supported | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Not available | ||
| Sync | ||
| Cloud sync Local only, Dropbox workaround | ||
| Capture | ||
| Drawing support Not available | ||
| Voice recording Not available | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Third-party integrations Very limited | ||
