Can Obsidian sync my local Markdown notes between Mac and iPhone?
4 apps · 10 factors
Scored for the goal: Local-first Markdown notes I own, synced between Mac and iPhone
Compare
One judgement per cell. Click a row to read every app’s answer; click a cell to open that answer’s sources.
 100%fit |  100%Local Markdown files unknown |  100%fit |  33%Misses Local Markdown files | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | ||||
| Local Markdown filesYes★ | ✓ | – | ✓ | No |
| Mac–iPhone syncYes★ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ! |
| Offline editingYes★ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No |
| Independent file syncYes★ | ✓ | – | ✓ | No |
| Note ExportHas Markdown★ | PDFMarkdown | TXTMarkdownTextBundle V2+7 | TextHTMLOPML+8 | PDFDOCXPNG+4 |
| Sync conflicts | With paid Obsidian Sync… | Bear Pro sync may… | File graphs: experimental Smart… | Mac and iPhone save… |
| Encrypted syncYes★ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No |
| Version History | View earlier versions, compare… | Bear’s team described revision… | Current DB app: desktop… | Preview and restore saved… |
| Purchase | ||||
| Current price | $25 once +6 | $29.99/yr +1 | $5/mo +4 | $96/yr +5 |
| Product | ||||
| What it does | The free and flexible… | Beautiful | A privacy-first | Unleash your creativity and… |
✓has it–no source found!sources conflictClick a cell for the full answer
Cost over time
Plays from month 1 to year 10 when you scroll here. Each bar is split by year; a one-time purchase stays one block.
CheapestBear: Markdown Notes$89.97
Most expensiveCraft Docs$230.40
Gap2.6×after 3 yrs
3 yrs
$0$100$200$300
$144
$89.97
$230.40
One-timeYearlyMonthlyYear 1 Year 3
Releases
Each dot is a release. The hatched bar runs from the last release to today; its color says whether that gap is normal for the app.
Every app with a dated changelog is shipping at its usual pace.
AugSepToday
Bear: Markdown NotesOnly one release found
89 days since last release
On pace
One releaseLast release → todayGreen / amber / red = gap within 2× / 2–5× / over 5× the usual interval
Bear: Markdown Notes · v2.9.1 · Jul 21, 2026
- Fixed issue with the hide substags notes option
Source: apps.apple.com ↗No changelog found for 3 apps · that does not mean they never update, only that there was no dated public record to check.