Are you tired of writing and editing your articles or blog posts in a plain text editor? Markdown editors can help you create beautifully formatted content without the need for complex coding. In this post, I am going to review and compare the best Markdown editors to use in 2023, so you can choose the one that suits your needs the best.
- Introduction
- Criteria for Choosing the Best Markdown Editors
- Typora: A Minimalist and User-Friendly Markdown Editor
- Obsidian: A Markdown Editor with Powerful Note-Taking Features
- Atom: A Versatile Markdown Editor with Customizable Interface
- Visual Studio Code: A Popular Code Editor with Built-In Markdown Support
- Ghostwriter: A Simple and Elegant Markdown Editor with a Focus on Writing
- Mark Text: A Cross-Platform Markdown Editor with Live Preview
- Haroopad: A Lightweight and Easy-to-Use Markdown Editor
- Joplin: A Note-Taking App with Markdown Support and Synchronization Options
- Zettlr: A Markdown Editor with Advanced Features for Academics and Researchers
- Honorable Mentions: Other Cool Markdown Editors Worth Checking Out
- Comparison of the Best Markdown Editors
- Conclusion: Which Markdown Editor is Right for You?
Introduction
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that allows you to create formatted text using plain text syntax. It was created by John Gruber in 2004 and has gained huge popularity among writers, bloggers, and even developers.
Markdown editors make it much faster and easier to create outstanding content in Markdown syntax without needing to memorize the syntax.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Markdown Editors
Before we dive into reviewing the best Markdown editors, let’s look at some criteria for choosing the right option for you.
First, it’s important to look for a Markdown editor that fits your specific needs and personal preferences. Think about what features are the most important to you, such as live preview, syntax highlighting, or note-taking capabilities. Also consider what platform you’re going to use the editor on, as some editors may not be compatible with certain operating systems.
Another important consideration is the pricing, of course. While many Markdown editors are free to use, some may require a monthly or yearly subscription for access to advanced features. So make sure you understand the pricing model for any editor you’re considering and weigh the cost against the value you’ll receive from the features offered. With these criteria in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect Markdown editor to help you create beautifully formatted documents with ease.
Typora: A Minimalist and User-Friendly Markdown Editor
Typora is a minimalist Markdown editor that offers a user-friendly interface and live preview. It supports syntax highlighting, table of contents, and math equations. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems and offers a free version. Typora’s pro version is available for a one-time fee.
Obsidian: A Markdown Editor with Powerful Note-Taking Features
Obsidian is a Markdown editor (and a knowledge base app) that offers powerful note-taking features such as backlinks, graph visualization, and a daily note. It also supports plugins and themes, making it highly customizable. Obsidian is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms and offers a free version. Its pro version is available for a monthly or yearly subscription.
Atom: A Versatile Markdown Editor with Customizable Interface
Atom is a versatile code editor that also supports Markdown syntax. It offers a customizable interface with themes and plugins. Atom supports Git integration, multiple panes, and syntax highlighting. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux OS and is free to use.
Visual Studio Code: A Popular Code Editor with Built-In Markdown Support
Visual Studio Code is a popular code editor that offers built-in support for Markdown syntax. It supports Git integration, debugging, and extensions. Visual Studio Code is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. And you can use this software absolutely free.
Ghostwriter: A Simple and Elegant Markdown Editor with a Focus on Writing
Ghostwriter is a simple and elegant Markdown editor that offers distraction-free writing. It supports live preview, focus mode, and spell-checking. Ghostwriter is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. And it is free to use.
Mark Text: A Cross-Platform Markdown Editor with Live Preview
Mark Text is a cross-platform Markdown editor that offers live preview, syntax highlighting, and auto-save. It also supports Git integration and image handling. Mark Text is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. And it is absolutely free.
Haroopad: A Lightweight and Easy-to-Use Markdown Editor
Haroopad is a lightweight Markdown editor that offers a user-friendly interface and live preview. It supports syntax highlighting, table of contents, and math equations. Haroopad is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and is free to use.
Joplin: A Note-Taking App with Markdown Support and Synchronization Options
Joplin is a note-taking app that supports Markdown syntax and synchronization across devices. It offers a user-friendly interface with note history and tags. Joplin is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can use it for free with optional donations.
Zettlr: A Markdown Editor with Advanced Features for Academics and Researchers
Zettlr is a Markdown editor that offers advanced features for academics and researchers such as citation management, outline mode, and PDF export. It also supports themes, plugins, and live previews. Zettlr is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and offers a free version with a pro version available for a monthly or yearly subscription.
Honorable Mentions: Other Cool Markdown Editors Worth Checking Out
There are many other Markdown editors available that are worth checking out, including Notable, Ulysses, Boostnote, and iA Writer. Each offers unique features and benefits that may fit your needs.
Notable
Notable is a free and open-source Markdown editor that offers note-taking, organization, and markdown support features. Its clean and minimalistic interface makes it easy to use, while its support for Git and GitHub makes it a great choice for developers who want to keep track of their notes and changes. Notable also offers a Pro version for a one-time fee of $19.99, which includes additional features like custom themes and password protection.
Ulysses
Ulysses is a Markdown editor with a focus on writing goals, project management, and syncing across devices. It’s available for Mac and iOS and is priced at $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Its unique features include a distraction-free writing mode, a customizable interface, and a built-in goal-setting system that helps writers stay on track with their writing projects. Ulysses also offers seamless syncing across all devices via iCloud.
Boostnote
Boostnote is a free and open-source Markdown editor that’s designed for note-taking and organization. Its features include syntax highlighting, customizable themes, and support for code snippets. Boostnote is a great choice for developers and programmers who want to take notes on their projects, as it offers advanced features like GitHub Flavored Markdown and Markdown preview. Boostnote is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
iA Writer
iA Writer is a Markdown editor that’s available for Mac and iOS and is priced at $29.99 as a one-time fee. Its features include focus mode, a customizable interface, and iCloud syncing. iA Writer’s unique selling point is its “typewriter mode,” which keeps the text in the center of the screen and highlights only the current line. This feature is designed to help writers stay focused on their writing and minimize distractions.
Comparison of the Best Markdown Editors
To help you with your choice, I have created a table comparing the pricing and features of the best Markdown editors.
| Markdown Editor | Price | Live Preview | Plugins | Note-taking Features | Syntax Highlighting | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typora | Free (Pro version: $15 one-time fee) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Obsidian | Free (Commercial: $50/year) | Yes | Yes | Backlinks, graph visualization, daily note | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Atom | Free | No | Yes | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Visual Studio Code | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Ghostwriter | Free | Yes | No | Distraction-free writing, focus mode, spell-checking | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Mark Text | Free | Yes | No | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Haroopad | Free | Yes | No | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Joplin | Free (Donation-based) | Yes | No | Note synchronization, note history, tags | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Zettlr | Free (Pro version: €5/month or €50/year) | Yes | Yes | Citation management, outline mode, PDF export | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Notable | Free (Pro version: $19.99 one-time fee) | Yes | Yes | Note-taking, organization, markdown support | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Ulysses | $5.99/month or $49.99/year | Yes | Yes | Writing goals, project management, syncing across devices | Yes | Mac, iOS |
| Boostnote | Free | Yes | Yes | Note-taking, organization, syntax highlighting | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| iA Writer | $29.99 one-time fee | Yes | No | Focus mode, customizable interface, iCloud syncing | Yes | Mac, iOS |
Conclusion: Which Markdown Editor is Right for You?
Choosing the right Markdown editor depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prefer a minimalist interface, Typora or Haroopad may be your best choice. For powerful note-taking features, Obsidian or Joplin may fit your needs. Atom and Visual Studio Code offer versatility and customization options. Mark Text is a good choice for cross-platform compatibility. And if you’re an academic or researcher, Zettlr may be the best option for you.
Markdown editors can help you create beautifully formatted documents without needing to learn complex coding. With so many options available, there is a Markdown editor for everyone. So choose the one that fits your needs and start creating your winning content today!