Bear vs Roam Research
type: Article
description: Bear is a streamlined note-taking app optimized for writing and quick capture on Apple devices, while Roam Research is a complex knowledge management system designed for bidirectional linking and networked thinking across all platforms. Bear excels at simplicity and speed; Roam excels at relationship mapping and research workflows.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-09T14:25:42.605Z
date created: 2026-07-09T14:25:42.605Z
date modified: 2026-07-09T14:25:45.432Z
content reference time: 2026-07-09T14:25:45.432Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Bear
about: Roam Research
abstract: Bear is a streamlined note-taking app optimized for writing and quick capture on Apple devices, while Roam Research is a complex knowledge management system designed for bidirectional linking and networked thinking across all platforms. Bear excels at simplicity and speed; Roam excels at relationship mapping and research workflows.
text: Platform Support. Monthly Subscription Cost. Bidirectional Linking. Learning Curve. Offline Access. Export Formats. Maximum Vault Size
conclusion text: Choose Bear if you want a fast, affordable, beautifully-designed note-taking app for Apple users who prioritize quick capture and distraction-free writing. Choose Roam Research if you're building a research database, need cross-platform access, and want to explore networked thinking with bidirectional linking and graph visualization—and are willing to invest in the learning curve.
additional property: Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $27.99/year | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: User Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 4.7 | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Number of Reviews
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 318 | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Markdown Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Full support | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: iOS, macOS, Web (3) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Document Scanning
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Basic scanning | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Call Recording & Transcription (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Not available | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Third-Party Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Extensive | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Bidirectional Linking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: No automatic backlinks; manual tagging only | Roam Research: Native with graph visualization
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $2.99 | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: End-to-End Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Yes, all notes E2EE | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Database/Relational Structure
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Tags and folders only | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Native Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: iOS, iPadOS, macOS (Apple only) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Native Collaboration Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: None | Roam Research: Unlimited with real-time editing
  value reference: Roam Research
additional property: Storage Capacity (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Unlimited | Roam Research: Unlimited
additional property: Export Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Markdown, PDF, HTML | Roam Research: JSON, Markdown, EDN
additional property: Learning Curve (hours to proficiency)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 2-4 hours for basic use | Roam Research: 40-60 hours for advanced use
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Third-Party Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Limited (direct integrations) | Roam Research: 30+
  value reference: Roam Research
additional property: Annual Subscription Discount
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 49% (annual: $20.99) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: One-Time Purchase Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Not available | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Built-in AI Writing Assistance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Yes - native AI assistant | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Focus/Distraction-Free Modes
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 2 modes (limited customization) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Offline Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Full (native offline) | Roam Research: Limited offline functionality
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $29.99/year | Roam Research: $165/year
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: ~50 official extensions | Roam Research: ~50 official extensions
additional property: Time to First Note (Setup)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 2-3 minutes | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Data Format
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Proprietary (low portability) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Feature Completeness
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 95% feature parity with desktop | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Maximum Note Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: ~10MB practical limit | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (Paid Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $36/year (premium subscription) | Roam Research: $180/year (only paid option)
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 3 (iOS, macOS, Web) | Roam Research: 2 (Web, limited mobile beta)
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Offline Functionality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Full offline support on iOS/macOS; sync when online | Roam Research: ~5% read-only mode only
additional property: Knowledge Graph Visualization
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Not available | Roam Research: Interactive graph showing all connections
additional property: Maximum Notes (Free Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Unlimited | Roam Research: Not available (no free tier)
additional property: Supported Code Languages
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 200+ with syntax highlighting | Roam Research: Basic code block support
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Database Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: No native databases | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Team Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Not supported (external links only) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Offline Access Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Full offline access with automatic sync | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Data Export Format
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Standard markdown (.md) format | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Free Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Unlimited (with free version) | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Typical Setup Time for New Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 5-10 minutes to productive use | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: API Availability for Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Limited API access | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $2.99/month | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: $19.99/year | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Monthly Upload Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Unlimited | Roam Research: None (limited daily notes only)
additional property: Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: 3 platforms (Mac, iPad, iPhone) | Roam Research: Web (primary), limited iOS/Android
  value reference: Bear
additional property: Free Plan Notebook Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: Unlimited notebooks | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: No | Roam Research: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Bear: No (public links only) | Roam Research: Native multi-user editing
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/bear
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/bear
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/roam-research
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/roam-research
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/bear-vs-roam-research)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/bear-vs-roam-research)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/bear-vs-roam-research
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/roam-research-vs-bear)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/roam-research-vs-remnote
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/apple-notes-vs-bear
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/notion-vs-roam-research
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/roam-research-vs-mem
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/roam-research-vs-logseq
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/bear-vs-craft
teaches: How to choose between Bear and Roam Research
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Bear vs Roam Research — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Bear
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Minimalist markdown note-taking app exclusive to Apple devices with elegant design.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Bear
subject of: Bear vs Roam Research
image: ImageObject
  caption: Bear

Roam Research
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: RR
language: en-US
description: Networked note-taking tool designed for bidirectional linking, knowledge graphs, and non-linear thinking with emphasis on daily notes.
subject of: Bear vs Roam Research

Bear vs Roam Research — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Bear vs Roam Research. Contains 155 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost
variable measured: User Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality
variable measured: Number of Reviews
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Popularity
variable measured: Markdown Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Document Scanning
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Call Recording & Transcription (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Bidirectional Linking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Core Features
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: End-to-End Encryption
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Database/Relational Structure
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Organization
variable measured: Native Platforms Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Native Collaboration Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Team Features
variable measured: Storage Capacity (Free Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Export Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Data Portability
variable measured: Learning Curve (hours to proficiency)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Annual Subscription Discount
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: One-Time Purchase Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Built-in AI Writing Assistance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Focus/Distraction-Free Modes
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Writing Features
variable measured: Offline Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Time to First Note (Setup)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Data Format
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Data Portability
variable measured: Mobile App Feature Completeness
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Mobile
variable measured: Maximum Note Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capacity
variable measured: Annual Cost (Paid Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Offline Functionality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Knowledge Graph Visualization
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Core Features
variable measured: Maximum Notes (Free Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Limits
variable measured: Supported Code Languages
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Database Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Real-Time Team Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Offline Access Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Data Export Format
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Data Portability
variable measured: Free Plan Storage Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Typical Setup Time for New Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: API Availability for Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Tier Monthly Upload Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Free Plan Notebook Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Search & Recognition
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Native Markdown Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Editing
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Number of Supported Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Native Markdown Editor Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Offline Access Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Active Users (Estimated)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Free Tier Offered
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Maximum Note Capacity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Functionality
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: API Access for Integrations
variable measured: Markdown Native Support
variable measured: Database View Types
variable measured: Premium Monthly Cost
variable measured: Free Monthly Upload Limit
variable measured: Markdown Support Level
variable measured: Web Clipper Available
variable measured: Organizational Hierarchy Levels
variable measured: OCR (Text Recognition in Images)
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/bear-vs-roam-research)

Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Bear vs Roam Research.
has defined term: Cost
has defined term: Quality
has defined term: Popularity
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Core Features
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Organization
has defined term: Team Features
has defined term: Storage
has defined term: Data Portability
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Writing Features
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Mobile
has defined term: Capacity
has defined term: Limits
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Search & Recognition
has defined term: Editing
has defined term: Availability
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Storage & Limits
has defined term: Platform
has defined term: Onboarding
has defined term: Learning & Usability
has defined term: Knowledge Management
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Platform Support
has defined term: Advanced Features
has defined term: User Satisfaction
has defined term: Teamwork
has defined term: Audience
has defined term: Developer Features
has defined term: Study Features
has defined term: Community
has defined term: AI Features
has defined term: Architecture
has defined term: Philosophy
has defined term: Data Ownership
has defined term: Innovation
has defined term: Scalability
has defined term: Data Control
has defined term: Core Feature
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Market
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: Platforms

Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Popularity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: popularity
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Organization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: organization
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Team Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: team-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Storage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: storage
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Portability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-portability
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Writing Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: writing-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capacity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capacity
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Limits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: limits
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Search & Recognition
type: DefinedTerm
term code: search-&-recognition
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Editing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: editing
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Availability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: availability
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Storage & Limits
type: DefinedTerm
term code: storage-&-limits
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Platform
type: DefinedTerm
term code: platform
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Onboarding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: onboarding
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Learning & Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: learning-&-usability
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Knowledge Management
type: DefinedTerm
term code: knowledge-management
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Platform Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: platform-support
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-satisfaction
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Teamwork
type: DefinedTerm
term code: teamwork
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Audience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audience
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Study Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: study-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-features
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Architecture
type: DefinedTerm
term code: architecture
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Philosophy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: philosophy
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-ownership
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scalability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scalability
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-control
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Feature
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-feature
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-library
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Platforms
type: DefinedTerm
term code: platforms
in defined term set: Bear vs Roam Research — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-09T14:25:45.432Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: bear-vs-roam-research)
main entity: Can I use Bear on Windows or Android?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No. Bear is exclusively available on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac). It does not support Windows, Android, or web-based access. If you need cross-platform functionality, Roam Research is the better choice.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does Bear support bidirectional linking like Roam?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No. Bear uses a traditional tag-based organization system and does not offer bidirectional linking or graph visualization. Roam Research's core feature is bidirectional linking, which automatically maps relationships between notes. If knowledge graph linking is essential, Roam is necessary.
    language: en-US
main entity: What's the total cost difference over one year?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Bear's annual subscription is $29.99/year while Roam Research costs $165/year—a difference of $135.01 annually. Bear is approximately 82% cheaper per year. Over 5 years, you'd save $675 choosing Bear.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which is better for academic research?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Roam Research is better suited for academic research due to bidirectional linking, graph visualization, and advanced querying capabilities that help map citations and conceptual relationships. However, if you only need a distraction-free writing and note repository without linking features, Bear is simpler and far cheaper.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I work offline with either app?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Bear has full offline functionality on iOS and macOS—you can write, edit, and access all notes without internet. Roam Research is web-dependent and has very limited offline capabilities, requiring internet for most features. For offline-heavy workflows, Bear is clearly superior.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Bear and Roam Research
type: HowTo
description: Bear is a streamlined note-taking app optimized for writing and quick capture on Apple devices, while Roam Research is a complex knowledge management system designed for bidirectional linking and networked thinking across all platforms. Bear excels at simplicity and speed; Roam excels at relationship mapping and research workflows.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Platform Support
step: Consider: Monthly Subscription Cost
step: Consider: Bidirectional Linking
step: Consider: Learning Curve
step: Consider: Offline Access
step: Consider: Export Formats
step: Consider: Maximum Vault Size
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Bear if you want a fast, affordable, beautifully-designed note-taking app for Apple users who prioritize quick capture and distraction-free writing. Choose Roam Research if you're building a research database, need cross-platform access, and want to explore networked thinking with bidirectional linking and graph visualization—and are willing to invest in the learning curve.

Consider: Platform Support
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Platform Support: Bear has Apple devices only (iOS, macOS), while Roam Research has Web-based (all browsers) + desktop apps.

Consider: Monthly Subscription Cost
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Monthly Subscription Cost: Bear has $2.99/month or $29.99/year, while Roam Research has $15/month or $165/year.

Consider: Bidirectional Linking
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Bidirectional Linking: Bear has Not supported natively, while Roam Research has Core feature with graph visualization.

Consider: Learning Curve
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Learning Curve: Bear has Minimal (intuitive interface), while Roam Research has Steep (requires knowledge graph methodology).

Consider: Offline Access
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Offline Access: Bear has Full offline capability on Apple devices, while Roam Research has Limited offline (web-dependent).

Consider: Export Formats
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Export Formats: Bear has Markdown, PDF, HTML (3 formats), while Roam Research has Markdown, JSON, EDN, PDF (4+ formats).

Consider: Maximum Vault Size
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Maximum Vault Size: Bear has Unlimited with iCloud sync, while Roam Research has Unlimited (depends on browser/storage).

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Bear vs Roam Research
review body: Bear is a streamlined note-taking app optimized for writing and quick capture on Apple devices, while Roam Research is a complex knowledge management system designed for bidirectional linking and networked thinking across all platforms. Bear excels at simplicity and speed; Roam excels at relationship mapping and research workflows.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Bear vs Roam Research

Native Markdown Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Yes (full native support) | Roam Research: N/A

Annual Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: $14.99/year | Roam Research: N/A

Number of Supported Platforms
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 3 (Mac, iOS, iPadOS) | Roam Research: N/A

Third-Party Integrations Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: ~50 integrations | Roam Research: N/A

Native Markdown Editor Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Yes (full native support) | Roam Research: N/A

Offline Access Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: iOS/Mac only (subscription required) | Roam Research: N/A

Monthly Active Users (Estimated)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: ~5 million active users | Roam Research: N/A

Free Tier Offered
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No free tier (7-day trial only) | Roam Research: N/A

Platform Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 3 platforms (macOS, iOS, iCloud Web) | Roam Research: N/A

Maximum Note Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Unlimited notes (tested with 50,000+) | Roam Research: N/A

Real-Time Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Not supported | Roam Research: Not supported; 1 user per workspace
value reference: Roam Research

API Access for Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Limited - basic web clipper only | Roam Research: N/A

Markdown Native Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Full native markdown with code syntax highlighting | Roam Research: N/A

Database View Types
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 0 - flat folder/tag structure only | Roam Research: N/A

Premium Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: $1.99 | Roam Research: N/A

Free Monthly Upload Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 1GB | Roam Research: N/A

Markdown Support Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Full markdown with syntax highlighting | Roam Research: N/A

Web Clipper Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No | Roam Research: N/A

Organizational Hierarchy Levels
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 2 levels (Folder > Note) | Roam Research: N/A

OCR (Text Recognition in Images)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No | Roam Research: N/A

Distraction-Free Writing Mode
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Yes (primary design philosophy) | Roam Research: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: $2.99/month | Roam Research: $15/month
value reference: Bear

Supported Operating Systems
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: iOS, macOS only | Roam Research: Web (all browsers), Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Bidirectional Linking Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No | Roam Research: Native & automatic backlinks

Offline Access Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Full offline support | Roam Research: Limited (web-dependent)

Average Initial Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 5 minutes | Roam Research: 45 minutes
value reference: Bear

Export Format Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 3 formats (Markdown, PDF, HTML) | Roam Research: 4+ formats (Markdown, JSON, EDN, PDF)
value reference: Roam Research

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 7 days | Roam Research: 30 days
value reference: Roam Research

Subscription Cost (Monthly Equivalent)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: $1.99/month (one-time purchase) | Roam Research: $15.00/month
value reference: Bear

Time to Productivity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Under 1 week | Roam Research: 6-12 weeks
value reference: Bear

Bidirectional Backlinks
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No (tags only) | Roam Research: Yes, automatic

Maximum Document Size (Stable Performance)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: 500,000+ words | Roam Research: 50,000 words
value reference: Bear

Mobile App Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: Full iOS, macOS, and web | Roam Research: Web + limited mobile features

Graph Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No | Roam Research: Yes, interactive graph view

Custom Automation (Scripting/Queries)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: No | Roam Research: Yes (DataScript/Clojure)

Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $15/month

User Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 8/10

Native Tools/Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 44 native tools plus MCP servers

Built-in AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Multi-provider LLM support with AI agents

Collaboration Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Unlimited collaborators

Core Strength
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Bidirectional linking and networked graphs

Target User Type
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Researchers, knowledge workers, academics

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: API access with scheduled jobs coming soon

Free Plan
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: No

Concurrent Collaborators
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Unlimited

Native API Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Yes, full API

Spaced Repetition Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: No native support

Database/Table Customization
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Basic views

Search Query Flexibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Advanced backlink queries

Annual Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $165

Discord Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: ~35,000

Annual Cost (Committed Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $165/year

Free Storage Tier
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: None (paid only)

Typical Learning Curve
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 40-50 hours

AI Search Queries Per Month (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Not available

Mobile App Feature Parity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 60% of desktop features

Data Storage Model
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Cloud-based (Roam servers)

Source Code License
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Closed-source proprietary

Advanced Query Language
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Datalog with RoamScript

Maximum Database Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Unlimited (cloud-based)

Base Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $15/month

Annual Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $180/year

Community Plugins Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: ~150 plugins

Storage Format
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Proprietary JSON (Edn format)

Users (Estimated)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 1.5M+ registered (2024)

Graph View Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Built-in interactive graph with density indicators

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $15

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $180/year

Data Storage Location
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Roam cloud servers (third-party controlled)

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 30 days free trial

Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $15/month

Time to Productive (New User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 3-7 days

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: AI assistant for summaries

Maximum Notes Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Unlimited

Annual Cost (Standard Use)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $180/year

Estimated Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: ~0.2 million (2024 estimate)

Platforms Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 3 (Web, iOS, Android)

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Cloud-hosted; Roam Inc. retains server access

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: No free tier

Bidirectional Linking Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Automatic backlinks with graph visualization

Native Mobile Apps
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Web-only; no native apps

Public Template Gallery Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 50-100 community templates

Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 15-20 hours (graph mastery required)

API & Export Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: API + JSON + Markdown + open data model

Active User Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: ~150,000+

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 500+ via Roam Marketplace

Source Code Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Closed-source proprietary

UI/UX Learning Curve
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 2-4 hours to proficiency

Mobile App Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: iOS and Android apps available

Data Portability/Export
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Markdown export available but limited

Annual Subscription Cost (if available)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $165/year

Maximum Notes Storage (Premium Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Unlimited

Native Mobile Apps (iOS & Android)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 0 (web-only; third-party clients available)

Full Offline Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Limited (web-based only)

Time to Proficiency (Median)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 8-12 weeks

Web Clipper Speed
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 2-4 seconds

AI Writing Assistant
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: No native assistant (requires integration)

Query Language Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Advanced DataLog queries with filtering/sorting

Maximum Storage (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Limited (sync only)

Monthly Cost (Individual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: $15/month (paid) or free (limited)

Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 2-3 hours

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 20-30 integrations

Community Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: 50-100

Bidirectional Linking (Native Support)
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Core feature with graph visualization

Database Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Collections/blocks only; no structured databases

Performance with Large Knowledge Bases
type: PropertyValue
value: Bear: N/A | Roam Research: Handles 5,000+ notes smoothly

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
xpath: //*[@id='verdict']

Bear — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Roam Research — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Bear vs Roam Research
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/bear-vs-roam-research)
object: Bear
object: Roam Research

API Access for Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Markdown Native Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Writing Features

Database View Types
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Premium Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Free Monthly Upload Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage & Limits

Markdown Support Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Web Clipper Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Organizational Hierarchy Levels
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Organization

OCR (Text Recognition in Images)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Distraction-Free Writing Mode
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Supported Operating Systems
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform

Bidirectional Linking Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Core Features

Offline Access Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Average Initial Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Onboarding

Export Format Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Subscription Cost (Monthly Equivalent)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Time to Productivity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Learning & Usability

Bidirectional Backlinks
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Knowledge Management

Maximum Document Size (Stable Performance)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Mobile App Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform Support

Graph Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Knowledge Management

Custom Automation (Scripting/Queries)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Advanced Features

Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

User Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Satisfaction

Native Tools/Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Built-in AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Collaboration Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Teamwork

Core Strength
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Target User Type
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audience

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Free Plan
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Concurrent Collaborators
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Native API Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer Features

Spaced Repetition Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Study Features

Database/Table Customization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Organization

Search Query Flexibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Discord Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community

Annual Cost (Committed Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Free Storage Tier
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Typical Learning Curve
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

AI Search Queries Per Month (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: AI Features

Mobile App Feature Parity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform Support

Data Storage Model
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Architecture

Source Code License
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Philosophy

Advanced Query Language
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Maximum Database Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Capacity

Base Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Community Plugins Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Storage Format
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Portability

Users (Estimated)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Graph View Visualization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Data Storage Location
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Ownership

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Onboarding

Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Time to Productive (New User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Maximum Notes Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scalability

Annual Cost (Standard Use)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Estimated Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Platforms Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Compatibility

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Control

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Bidirectional Linking Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Core Feature

Native Mobile Apps
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Public Template Gallery Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

API & Export Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Active User Base
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Library

Source Code Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

UI/UX Learning Curve
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Mobile App Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform

Data Portability/Export
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Control

Annual Subscription Cost (if available)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum Notes Storage (Premium Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Native Mobile Apps (iOS & Android)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platforms

Full Offline Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Time to Proficiency (Median)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Web Clipper Speed
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

AI Writing Assistant
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Query Language Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Advanced Features

Maximum Storage (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Monthly Cost (Individual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Community Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Bidirectional Linking (Native Support)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Core Features

Database Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Core Features

Performance with Large Knowledge Bases
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance