Best Markdown Editors 2026
A comprehensive comparison of the top tools for writing and organizing in markdown.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Pricing | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Knowledge management, linked notes, PKM enthusiasts | Free / $50/year | 9/10 |
| Notion | Team collaboration, databases, project management | Free / $10/month | 8/10 |
| Typora | Distraction-free writing, clean exports | $14.99 (one-time) | 8/10 |
| VS Code | Developers, documentation, README files | Free | 7/10 |
| iA Writer | Professional writers, long-form content | $49.99 (one-time) | 8/10 |
Detailed Reviews
Obsidian
A second brain, for you, forever
Strengths
- +Local-first (your files, your control)
- +Powerful linking with [[backlinks]]
- +Graph view for visualizing connections
- +Massive plugin ecosystem (1000+)
- +Canvas for visual note-taking
- +Works offline, syncs via your choice
Limitations
- -Learning curve for beginners
- -Mobile apps less polished
- -Sync requires payment or DIY
- -Can become overwhelming with plugins
Free / $50/year
Free for personal use. Sync $4/mo, Publish $8/mo.
Knowledge management, linked notes, PKM enthusiasts
Our Verdict
The gold standard for personal knowledge management. Best for power users who want full control over their notes.
Notion
All-in-one workspace
Strengths
- +Databases with multiple views
- +Real-time collaboration
- +Templates for everything
- +API for integrations
- +AI features built-in
- +Beautiful, polished interface
Limitations
- -Cloud-only (no offline mode)
- -Not pure markdown (proprietary format)
- -Can be slow with large workspaces
- -Export limitations
Free / $10/month
Free for personal. Plus $10/mo, Business $15/mo.
Team collaboration, databases, project management
Our Verdict
Best for teams and those who need databases alongside notes. Less suitable for markdown purists.
Typora
A minimal markdown editor
Strengths
- +True WYSIWYG markdown
- +Live preview while typing
- +Clean, minimal interface
- +Excellent export (PDF, Word, HTML)
- +Custom themes
- +Focus and typewriter modes
Limitations
- -No built-in sync
- -Single file focus (no vault)
- -Limited organization features
- -No mobile version
$14.99 (one-time)
One-time purchase. Free trial available.
Distraction-free writing, clean exports
Our Verdict
The purest markdown writing experience. Perfect for writers who just want to write without distractions.
VS Code
Code editor with great markdown support
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Excellent extensions (Markdown All in One, etc.)
- +Git integration built-in
- +Live preview side-by-side
- +Snippets and shortcuts
- +Works with any file system
Limitations
- -Not designed for notes/PKM
- -Requires extensions for good experience
- -Overkill for simple writing
- -No graph or backlinks without extensions
Free
Completely free and open source.
Developers, documentation, README files
Our Verdict
Already using VS Code? It handles markdown excellently with the right extensions. Best for developers.
iA Writer
The focused writing app
Strengths
- +Beautiful, distraction-free design
- +Focus mode highlights current sentence
- +Syntax highlighting for markdown
- +iCloud/Dropbox sync
- +Excellent typography
- +Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
Limitations
- -Expensive for casual users
- -Separate purchase per platform
- -No linking/backlinks
- -Limited organization
$49.99 (one-time)
One-time per platform. Family sharing available.
Professional writers, long-form content
Our Verdict
Premium writing experience for serious writers. The typography and focus features are unmatched.
Our Recommendations
For Knowledge Management
Obsidian
Best for building a personal knowledge base with linked notes and powerful organization.
For Teams
Notion
Best for collaborative workspaces combining notes, databases, and project management.
For Writers
Typora
Best for distraction-free writing with beautiful WYSIWYG markdown editing.
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