Octarine vs. Bear
Like Bear's simplicity but want access to your actual files? Octarine keeps the clean experience and adds graph view, workspaces, and Windows and Linux support.
You want a clean writing interface plus graph view, multiple workspaces, and notes stored as plain markdown files.
You live entirely on Apple devices and value a polished phone and tablet experience more than direct access to markdown files.
How They Compare
Strengths & Weaknesses
Octarine
- File Format: Regular .md files
- Data Access: Direct file access anywhere
- Platform Support: macOS, Linux, Windows
- The iOS app is still in TestFlight
- Sync uses a folder service such as iCloud or Dropbox
- Less integrated with Apple-only system features
Bear
- A refined experience across Apple devices
- Mature, generally available mobile apps
- Simple tagging with very little setup
- File Format: Proprietary database
- Data Access: Only through Bear app
- Platform Support: Apple only
Summary
Bear is fine for casual notes and writing. If you're jotting down thoughts and doing some light writing on your Mac and iPhone, it works well enough. If you're building a knowledge base, doing research, or want control over your files, Octarine is the better choice.
If Bear disappeared tomorrow, you'd be relying on its export to get your notes out. Octarine's notes are already markdown files, so any markdown editor can open them.
Subscriptions add up, too. Bear Pro's $29.99/year looks cheap, but it has no end date. By the third year you've paid more than Octarine's one-time Pro price, and the bill keeps going. You also need that subscription to sync between your own devices, which is kind of ridiculous.
Methodology
Compared against Bear's official help center. Platform, sync, export, and pricing claims were reviewed separately.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-17
Switching from Bear to Octarine
Frequently Asked Questions
Start writing with Octarine.
A fast, private Markdown workspace for capturing ideas, shaping notes, and keeping your writing in files you control.