GoodNotes vs Bear Comparison
GoodNotes
Starting at $7.99
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's helped millions of people, and Apple…
Bear
Starting at $2.49 per month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Small Business
Bear is a dynamic software platform that empowers users to effortlessly generate, manage, and transfer their notes with ease. Whether it's creating documents swiftly and securely or encrypting them for heightened securit…
GoodNotes vs Bear — at a glance
| Feature | GoodNotes | Bear |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | — | — |
| Starting price | $7.99 | $2.49 per month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Small Business, Medium Business |
| Category | Note Taking Software | Note Taking Software |
| Platforms | Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac | Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between GoodNotes and Bear
- Pricing: GoodNotes starts at $7.99, while Bear starts at $2.49 per month.
- Free trial: Bear offers a free trial; GoodNotes does not.
- Deployment: GoodNotes supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac; Bear supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac.
GoodNotes vs Bear — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Note Taking Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.
- You need an intuitive app optimized for handwritten notes and handwriting recognition.
- You are a student, educator, or creative professional focused on personal productivity.
- You want a simple, streamlined setup without complex integrations or collaboration needs.
- Your team requires advanced collaboration and workflow automation features.
- You need extensive integrations with other enterprise software and app connectors.
Best markdown note-taking app for Apple ecosystem users seeking simplicity.
- You primarily use Apple devices and want seamless syncing across them.
- You prefer a minimalistic, distraction-free interface for focused writing.
- You need markdown support for versatile note formatting and exporting.
- Your team requires advanced collaboration and sharing features.
- You need cross-platform support beyond Apple devices.
GoodNotes: Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing. Bear: Best markdown note-taking app for Apple ecosystem users seeking simplicity.
Description | GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's ... Read More about GoodNotes | Bear is a dynamic software platform that empowers users to effortlessly generate, manage, and transfer their notes with ease. Whether it's creating documents swiftly and securely or ... Read More about Bear |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | 1-50 employees51-500 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  Bear has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do GoodNotes and Bear Compare on Features?
Total Features | 4 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GoodNotes and Bear on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
|---|---|---|
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✗ No |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✗ No |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✗ No |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
GoodNotes User Reviews & Rating Comparison
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users consistently praise GoodNotes for its intuitive interface and excellent handwriting features, though some find the feature set overwhelming and desire more integrations. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally praise Bear for its clean design, markdown support, and seamless Apple device syncing, though some find its rich features overwhelming and desire more integrations. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |  1 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to GoodNotes and Bear in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, GoodNotes or Bear?
- GoodNotes and Bear are closely matched with equal user ratings of -1.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Note Taking Software needs.
- Do GoodNotes and Bear offer a free trial?
- Bear offers a free trial. GoodNotes does not.
- What is the starting price of GoodNotes vs Bear?
- GoodNotes starts at $7.99. Bear starts at $2.49 per month.
- What are the top alternatives to GoodNotes?
- Top alternatives to GoodNotes include Evernote, Notes.io, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote, Notability.
- What are the top alternatives to Bear?
- Top alternatives to Bear include Evernote, Nimbus Note, Jamworks, Zoho Notebook, MeetingKing.