Top 10 Free Alternatives to Bear AI in 2025

As Bear AI continues to be a popular note-taking app, various free alternatives offer unique features to match different preferences and needs. Here are the top 10 free alternatives to Bear AI in 2025, each providing distinct functionalities for optimized productivity and efficiency.

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1. ClickUp

Description: ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform that includes robust note-taking capabilities with AI features. It is designed for task management, project tracking, and team collaboration.
Key Features:
AI-powered note summarization and action item generation.
Rich text formatting options including checklists, banners, headings, and code blocks.
Chrome extension for quick website clipping and screenshots.
Cross-platform availability (mobile, desktop, web).
Ability to turn notes into action items. Learn more about ClickUp

2. Notion

Description: Notion is a highly customizable workspace that combines note-taking, project management, and wikis. It’s known for its flexibility and collaborative features.
Key Features:
Customizable workspaces for notes, docs, wikis, and more.
Rich integration and customization options.
Collaborative document editing.
Template library for various use cases.
Cross-platform syncing. Explore Notion

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3. Evernote

Description: Evernote is a long-standing note-taking application known for its strong organization and search capabilities.
Key Features:
Powerful search with the ability to search within images and PDFs.
Web Clipper extension to save entire webpages.
Extensive tagging system and notebook organization.
Cross-platform availability (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, web).
Integration with other apps for streamlined workflows. Check out Evernote

4. Microsoft OneNote

Description: OneNote is a free-form note-taking application from Microsoft that allows users to create digital notebooks with text, drawings, and multimedia.
Key Features:
Flexible canvas where you can click anywhere to add content.
Multi-device syncing and collaboration features.
Integration with other Microsoft 365 applications.
Drawing and sketching tools.
Web clipper to save content directly into OneNote notebooks. Discover Microsoft OneNote

5. Apple Notes

Description: Apple Notes is the built-in note-taking application for Apple devices, offering seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.
Key Features:
Seamless integration with Apple devices.
Simple, clean user interface.
Siri integration for hands-free note taking.
Ability to add sketches and handwritten notes.
Easy sharing options. Learn more about Apple Notes

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6. Google Keep

Description: Google Keep is a simple and straightforward note-taking application focused on quick notes and reminders.
Key Features:
Simple and intuitive interface.
Easy creation of lists and notes.
Integration with other Google services.
Color-coded notes for organization.
Collaboration options. Explore Google Keep

7. Obsidian

Description: Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app designed for advanced note-takers with a focus on interconnected notes and a local-first approach.
Key Features:
Interlinking and bi-directional linking of notes.
Graph view to visualize relationships between notes.
Plugin ecosystem for customization.
Markdown support for formatting.
Local storage of notes for privacy. Check out Obsidian

8. Joplin

Description: Joplin is an open-source note-taking application with a strong focus on privacy. It is a great option for those seeking an alternative to Evernote.
Key Features:
Open-source with a strong privacy focus.
Support for markdown formatting.
Customization through plugins.
Cross-platform availability.
Note synchronization with various services. Discover Joplin

9. Simplenote

Description: Simplenote is a lightweight, distraction-free note-taking app focused on plain text. It is designed for simple note taking.
Key Features:
Distraction-free interface.
Plain text note taking.
Tagging system for organization.
Cross-platform availability.
Fast and reliable syncing. Learn more about Simplenote

10. Supernotes

Description: Supernotes is designed as a note-taking alternative to Bear, focusing on building a note-taking habit and collaboration.
Key Features:
Offers challenges to encourage regular note-taking.
Real-time collaboration.
Tagging system.
Simple and user-friendly interface.
Free starter plan that has most of the features. Explore Supernotes

This list provides a variety of options for users looking for free alternatives to Bear AI, covering different use cases and preferences. Each option is a strong contender in the note-taking space for 2025.

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FAQ

1. What is a versatile alternative to Bear AI that includes note-taking and project management?

ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with robust note-taking and AI features, suitable for task management and team collaboration. Learn more about ClickUp

2. Which alternative offers customizable workspaces and collaborative features?

Notion offers highly customizable workspaces, combining note-taking, project management, and wikis with robust collaboration tools. Discover Notion

3. Is there a note-taking app with strong organization and search capabilities?

Evernote is known for its powerful search abilities and strong organization features, including an extensive tagging system and web clipper. Explore Evernote

4. What is a good note-taking app for Microsoft 365 users?

Microsoft OneNote integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 applications, offering a flexible canvas for various types of content. Learn more about Microsoft OneNote

5. Which note-taking app is best for Apple device users?

Apple Notes, pre-installed on Apple devices, offers seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and features like Siri integration and easy sharing. Discover Apple Notes

6. What's a simple and straightforward note-taking app for quick notes and reminders?

Google Keep is a simple note-taking application focused on quick notes and reminders with easy integration with other Google services. Explore Google Keep

7. What app offers advanced note-taking with interconnected notes and a local-first approach?

Obsidian is designed for advanced note-takers, featuring bi-directional linking of notes and a graph view to visualize relationships. Learn more about Obsidian

8. Is there an open-source note-taking app focused on privacy?

Joplin is an open-source application with a strong privacy focus, supporting markdown formatting and cross-platform availability. Discover Joplin

9. Which app is designed for simple, distraction-free note-taking?

Simplenote offers a lightweight, distraction-free interface focused on plain text note-taking and fast syncing across platforms. Explore Simplenote

10. Is there a note-taking app that encourages building a note-taking habit?

Supernotes encourages regular note-taking with challenges, real-time collaboration, and a user-friendly interface. Learn more about Supernotes

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.