Comparison

TextEdit vs Polar_Bear

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TextEdit

A fast and versatile text editor for mobile devices, offering compatibility with various file formats and editors. It provides a distraction-free writing experience with advanced formatting, organization, and sharing features.

Highlights
  • Supports TXT, RTF, Markdown, TeX, and PDF formats
  • Cross-device and computer syncing via iCloud/Files
  • Distraction-free writing interface
  • Customizable keyboard extension for faster typing
  • Visual rich text formatting and one-tap options
  • Syntax highlighting for Markdown and TeX
  • Instant statistics and counters
Features
Read full description

TextEdit+ is the text editor your iPhone and iPad were missing. Like TextEdit on the Mac, it opens to a clean page and stays out of your way. Unlike it, it also speaks Markdown and LaTeX, marks up PDFs and puts an AI assistant right inside your document. Jot down a quick TXT, format a rich-text letter, write a README in Markdown or compile a LaTeX paper. One lightweight app, no clutter. ONE EDITOR, EVERY TEXT FORMAT • Create and edit TXT, RTF, RTFD, Markdown and LaTeX files • Open RTF files from macOS TextEdit, WordPad, Word and Scrivener, and keep working on them on your Mac or PC • Open PDFs and mark them up with highlights, notes and text • Work on files right where they live: Files, iCloud Drive or your cloud storage • Organize your documents in folders and subfolders A CLEAN PLACE TO WRITE • Distraction-free editor with Full Screen and Typewriter modes • Keep several documents open in tabs and switch with a tap • Extended keyboard row for cursor moves, selection and the characters you use most • Keyboard shortcuts for hardware keyboards • Read Aloud with your choice of voice and speed • Light and dark appearance, plus custom document colors RICH TEXT WITHOUT THE BLOAT • Fonts, sizes, colors, highlights, bold, italic, underline and strikethrough • Alignment, indents, lists, line and paragraph spacing, superscript and subscript • Insert images, tables and inline equations • Install your own fonts and use them in any document MARKDOWN AND LATEX, DONE PROPERLY • Syntax highlighting for Markdown and TeX • Live Markdown preview: edit, preview or split view side by side • Compile LaTeX right on your device and preview the PDF next to your source • Article, report, book and letter templates, command completion, error diagnostics and a document outline • Multi-file projects with included files and bibliographies AI THAT WORKS IN YOUR DOCUMENT • Turn a prompt into a first draft • Rewrite, shorten, expand, summarize or translate the selected text • Fix grammar, spelling and punctuation, or switch the tone between casual, concise, friendly and professional • Ask the assistant about your own documents and get answers with sources • Prefer to write without AI? Hide every AI feature with one switch TOOLS FOR EDITING • Find and replace across the whole document • Word, character, sentence, paragraph, line and page counts with reading time • Readability scores: Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch–Kincaid Grade, SMOG and Automated Readability Index • Automatic backups, so an edit is never lost • Scan paper documents with the camera EXPORT AND SHARE • Export to PDF, Word (DOCX), RTF, RTFD, Markdown, TXT, TeX and PNG • Print, email or send your work to any app • Send text, links and files to TextEdit+ from other apps with the share sheet • Shortcuts actions to create, open, search and rename documents Built for iPhone, iPad and iPhone Duo, and localized in more than 70 languages. Privacy Policy https://www.noteswriter.com/Kairoos_Privacy_Policy.html Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Polar_Bear

Features
Read full description

PolarBear is the AI-powered way to build your network. Practice real conversations with industry personas, discover contextual ice breakers, and track your networking tasks so you actually make meaningful connections. Why PolarBear works •⁠  ⁠AI voice practice that doesn’t judge. Speak naturally with AI characters like VCs or Product Managers to rehearse before the real event. •⁠  ⁠Smart ice breakers. Never stare blankly at a stranger again. Get contextual conversation starters matched to your vibe—Professional, Witty, or Direct. •⁠  ⁠Personality-based insights. Your unique networking style powers the recommendations, ice breakers, and practice scenarios you see. •⁠  ⁠Graceful exit strategies. Browse proven tactics across categories like Professional and Quick Escapes so you know exactly how to leave a conversation. •⁠  ⁠Networking task tracker. Stay accountable with weekly goals like "speak to 2 new people" and manage your follow-ups so you never lose a connection. How to use it 1.⁠ ⁠Take a quick quiz to discover your natural networking style. 2.⁠ ⁠Start a voice practice session with an AI persona—no real-world stakes needed. 3.⁠ ⁠Browse tailored ice breakers and exit strategies before your next event. 4.⁠ ⁠Review your weekly tasks and add custom follow-ups to keep your network growing. Perfect for early-career professionals breaking into an industry, career changers entering new circles, or introverts who prioritize quality 1-on-1 conversations. Terms of Use (EULA): https://polarbearapp.co.uk/terms.html

Screenshots

TextEdit4 screens
Polar_Bear4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Polar_Bear at 15.1 against TextEdit's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TextEdit sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Polar_Bear sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
TextEdit versus Polar_Bear: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTextEditPolar_Bear
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (381 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews17.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings381 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size461 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKairoos Solutions SLTenhaw LTD

Bugs and requests

TextEdit

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when opening certain file types
  • Formatting issues when copying/pasting text
  • Inconsistent behavior across devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow users to choose iCloud directory
  • Offer one-time purchase option instead of subscription
  • Restore previous paid versions without AI

Polar_Bear

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

TextEdit

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • TextEdit+ Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • TextEdit+ Annual3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • TextEdit+ Full Unlock$14.99
3 purchases

Polar_Bear

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly7 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is TextEdit free?
TextEdit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Polar_Bear free?
Polar_Bear is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TextEdit or Polar_Bear have ads?
Neither TextEdit nor Polar_Bear shows ads.

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