Bear vs Workflowy
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Bear and Workflowy 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 Workflowy if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. Infinitely nested bullet lists for notes and outlining.
Bear vs Workflowy: side by side
| Dimension | Bear | Workflowy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $2.99/mo | Free – $4.99/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Writers, Apple Users | Outliners, Writers |
| Platforms | Mac, Ios | Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, AndroidWinner |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.4/5 |
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
Workflowy key facts
- Vendor
- Workflowy
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4.99/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Outliners, Writers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear better than Workflowy?
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 Workflowy cheaper?
Bear is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $2.99/mo. Bear starts at free – $2.99/mo; Workflowy starts at free – $4.99/user/mo.
Can Bear replace Workflowy?
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.