Bear vs MarginNote
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Reading, annotation, and study notes combined for deep learning.
The verdict
Both Bear and MarginNote are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Bear if you want a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Beautiful Markdown notes for Apple.
MarginNote — Reading, annotation, and study notes combined for deep learning.
Bear vs MarginNote: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | MarginNote |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free – $99.99/user once |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | One-time |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Students, Researchers |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Mac, Ios |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Bear key facts
- Vendor
- Shiny Frog
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $2.99/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Mac, Ios
- Best for
- Writers, Apple Users
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Italy
MarginNote key facts
- Vendor
- MarginNote
- Pricing
- One-time — Free – $99.99/user once
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Mac, Ios
- Best for
- Students, Researchers
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- China
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than MarginNote?
Neither is universally better — Bear edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Bear or MarginNote cheaper?
Bear is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2.99/mo. Bear starts at free – $2.99/mo; MarginNote starts at free – $99.99/user once.
Can Bear replace MarginNote?
Yes for most teams — both are note taking tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.