Best Alternatives to Paragraph Notes in 2025

A versatile writing app tailored to your thinking

Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files. It offers extensive linking, graph view, and a plugin ecosystem, making it ideal for those who want more advanced note-taking capabilities while still keeping data local and private. Unlike Paragraph Notes, Obsidian is free for personal use and supports Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms.

Bear is a beautiful, flexible writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It uses Markdown-like syntax and offers a clean, distraction-free interface. Bear stores notes locally but also offers optional sync via iCloud. It has a free tier with limited features and a subscription for advanced features. Bear is a great alternative if you want a polished experience with cross-device sync and don't mind a subscription model.

iA Writer is a minimalist Markdown editor available on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It focuses on distraction-free writing with a clean typography and syntax highlighting. It stores files locally in plain text and supports iCloud or Dropbox sync. iA Writer is a paid app (one-time purchase) and is ideal for writers who prioritize a simple, focused writing environment without the note-taking bells and whistles.

Standard Notes is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes app that prioritizes privacy and longevity. It offers a simple plain text editor with Markdown support, and stores notes locally with optional encrypted sync. It is free for basic use, with paid plans for advanced features. Standard Notes is a strong alternative if you want encryption and cross-platform availability (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web) while maintaining a simple interface.

Joplin is an open-source note-taking app that supports Markdown and offers end-to-end encryption. It can sync via various services (Dropbox, Nextcloud, etc.) and has apps for all major platforms. Joplin is free and highly customizable, with features like web clipping and to-do lists. It's a good alternative if you need cross-platform support and more organizational features while keeping your data private.

Ulysses is a premium writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone that uses Markdown. It offers a distraction-free editor, advanced organization with groups and filters, and publishing options. Ulysses stores files locally but syncs via iCloud. It requires a subscription. It's a great alternative for writers who want a powerful, Apple-only ecosystem with a focus on long-form writing.

Typora is a minimal Markdown editor that offers a seamless live preview, so you see formatted text as you type. It's available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and stores files locally. Typora is a paid app (one-time purchase) with a free trial. It's an excellent alternative if you want a simple, elegant Markdown editor without the note-taking database features, similar to Paragraph Notes but with cross-platform support.