Bear vs Tana
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Bear and Tana are credible note taking tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Bear if you want a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Beautiful Markdown notes for Apple.
Choose Tana if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. The everything OS for power users.
Bear vs Tana: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | Tana |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free – $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Power Users, Researchers |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Web, Mac, Windows, IosWinner |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.5/5 |
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
Tana key facts
- Vendor
- Tana
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $10/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios
- Best for
- Power Users, Researchers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Oslo, Norway
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than Tana?
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 Tana cheaper?
Bear is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2.99/mo. Bear starts at free – $2.99/mo; Tana starts at free – $10/mo.
Can Bear replace Tana?
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.