Bear vs yWriter
Bear
bear.appyWriter
spacejock.comSide by side
| Figure | Bear | yWriter |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 11 |
| Spec score · Note And Writing Apps | 9.1 (#1) | 8.6 (#10) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Bear documents Apple Shortcuts support on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with actions such as creating notes, adding tags, and searching notes. | Mobile editions use Dropbox to edit desktop projects, while the desktop program can back up to FTP when server credentials are supplied. |
| Maker | Shiny Frog describes itself as an app-making team spanning Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, the UK, and Japan. | Simon Haynes identifies himself as yWriter's programmer and author. |
| Purpose | Bear is a Markdown note-taking app for capturing, writing, and organizing notes. | yWriter is novel-writing software that organizes a novel into chapters and scenes and does not generate plot ideas or perform creative tasks. |
| Support | Bear provides support pages and accepts support requests through its contact page or [email protected]. | Support channels include a Google Group, Facebook page, email and an Android user forum. |
Plans
Bear
- FreeFree
- Bear Pro$2.99 a month
- Bear Pro$29.99 a year
- Bear Pro (monthly)$2.99 a month
- Bear Pro (yearly)$29.99 a year
yWriter
- DesktopPrice not published
- AndroidPrice not published
- iOSPrice not published
- Mac betaFree
- Windows desktopFree
- yWriter7 for WindowsFree
- yWriter for MacOS betaFree
- Android app$5.49, paid once
- iPhone/iPad app$14.99, paid once
- yWriter for AndroidPrice not published
In their own words
yWriter
yWriter is novel-writing software that organizes a manuscript into chapters and scenes; it does not generate plot ideas or perform creative tasks. Scenes can be moved between chapters by drag and drop, and unused scenes can be left out of word counts and exports without being deleted. Each scene can record a viewpoint character, goal, conflict, and outcome, and can include multiple characters. The program tracks word counts per file and for the project, and keeps a daily log of words written. Automatic backups can run at user-set intervals, and the editor can save timed scene snapshots. yWriter is available for Windows, with Linux use tested through Wine, as well as Android and iOS apps. The Windows application stores data on the user's computer and needs no internet connection for ordinary use. The site says mobile versions are intended for editing PC projects on the go using Dropbox. The Windows version is free to use and supports Windows 7 SP1 or newer; the macOS beta is temporarily free but unstable. Mobile apps are described as available for a small charge, with no amount listed.