Markdown editors are simple and user-friendly text-to-HTML conversion tools for web content writers. Developers and content creators can use them to format lists, headers, and many other content features.
Markdown is nothing new. The text-based markup language has been around since 2004 when John Gruber released it as a simple alternative to HTML. And Markdown’s popularity is only growing: it shows up everywhere from GitHub to Reddit, to Medium, and has become a favorite way to write anything destined to live on the web.
In this article, we go over our picks for the top 10 Markdown editors of 2020.
1. Typora
Typora is one of the most popular Markdown editors, and for good reason. Unlike many of the editors you’ll find on this list, Typora automatically hides Markdown formatting, showing a preview of the final document instead.
It’s a robust editor with support for advanced Markdown features such as mathematics and diagrams, and a wide range of export options. Typora also offers more than 50 themes and offers instructions on how to write a custom theme. It’s clear why it’s a popular choice among many content creators.
2. Draft
Draft is a Markdown editor designed for those who create content that undergoes rounds of edits from various stakeholders. With built-in version control, the ability to crowdsource copy editors, and integration with apps like Google Docs and Evernote, Draft is built to make your content creation process as simple as possible.
3. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code isn’t a dedicated Markdown editor, but has the functionality to be used as one all the same. VS Code provides Markdown editing capabilities out-of-the-box, but you can install an extension for even greater functionality, like shortcuts, creating a table of contents, and more.
With dynamic side-by-side HTML previews, preview locking, preview security, and extensions to personalize your writing experience, VS Code is a solid option for developers looking for a great Markdown editor.
4. MacDown
MacDown is a simple Markdown editor for macOS that offers a minimalist approach to writing. MacDown was inspired by Mou (which is—spoiler alert!—ninth on our list) with many non-standard syntactic features, to start.
With a live preview, loads of features, syntax highlighting, autocompletion, exporting options, and a clean appearance that gets out of your way, Macdown is a reliable choice for someone wanting a little something more from their traditional Markdown editor.
5. Ulysses
Ulysses is a Mac, iPad, and iPhone writing app. It’s an excellent choice for file organization and management, as all of your notes and drafts can be held in the app, and can be easily exported and shared with your team or readers. With a sidebar, sheet pane, and content pane, you can keep all your resources organized and ready for when you need them.
Ulysses is highly mobile by design, meaning you can do some writing whenever inspiration strikes without worrying whether your content will sync with your other devices.
6. iA Writer
iA Writer is a mobile and desktop editor that makes writing on the move a breeze. It’s clean and easy to use, and designed to remove distractions so you can focus on the task at hand.
It comes equipped with a preview option, focus mode, and custom keyboard shelf that keeps all your necessary tools and Markdown shortcuts close by. With loads of export options, iA Writer is an ideal choice for mobile writing.
In 2020 alone, iA Writer has introduced several new features and updates. One of these features is Style Check, which reviews your text and shows you where there are redundancies, filler words, and clichés, which ultimately helps improve your content.
7. Dimer
Dimer is a newer app that’s still in beta, and is heavily targeted at programmers. It’s designed to create and publish technical documentation, and therefore comes complete with live previews, great aesthetics, and cloud hosting for your documentation website.
Dimer is great for users looking to create and manage technical docs.
8. Quiver
Quiver is a strong choice for programmers who write and regularly collaborate with their team. It allows you to combine Markdown with text, code, and LaTeX—a document preparation system—in a single note. The version control feature makes Quiver a great way to work on a project with your team and build a single source of truth for collaborators.
Similar to some of the other Markdown apps on this list, Quiver is arranged to hold all your notes and resources in-app, with a full document notebook and search. It also comes complete with syntax highlighting, a live preview of Markdown, customizable themes, cloud syncing, and sharing capabilities.
9. Mou
Mou is a Markdown editor for developers who use Mac OS X. It’s highly customizable but remains lightweight. Like other editors on this list, it comes with a live preview of your markdown, themes, live word counts, and a bunch of optional features. Mou is currently in the early beta stage with more features in development.
Mou also has some nice built-in functionalities for developers, such as the option to export HTML with or without CSS, and enhanced support for CJK characters if you write in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. It’s a great choice for developers who write.
10. Dillinger
Dillinger is a cloud-based, open-source, HTML5 Markdown editor. This well-known online Markdown editor runs directly in your browser and offers much of the functionality that you’d find in any downloadable app. Dillinger allows you to preview and export your text as HTML, Styled HTML, Markdown, and as a PDF.
With a split screen live preview, your choice of themes, and the ability to choose which Markdown syntax in which to write, Dillinger may be all you need.
A Markdown editor for every purpose
With new Markdown editors being released all the time to fill specific niches, you’re bound to find the perfect app for you. From mobile functionality to collaboration, to various integrations, Markdown editors can make your content creation process run much smoother.
