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Best Markdown Editors 2026

A comprehensive comparison of the top tools for writing and organizing in markdown.

Last updated: January 2026|5 tools compared|By Substratia

Quick Comparison

ToolBest ForPricingRating
ObsidianKnowledge management, linked notes, PKM enthusiastsFree / $50/year9/10
NotionTeam collaboration, databases, project managementFree / $10/month8/10
TyporaDistraction-free writing, clean exports$14.99 (one-time)8/10
VS CodeDevelopers, documentation, README filesFree7/10
iA WriterProfessional writers, long-form content$49.99 (one-time)8/10

Detailed Reviews

#1

Obsidian

A second brain, for you, forever

9/10
Visit website →

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
Pricing

Free / $50/year

Free for personal use. Sync $4/mo, Publish $8/mo.

Best For

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.

#2

Notion

All-in-one workspace

8/10
Visit website →

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
Pricing

Free / $10/month

Free for personal. Plus $10/mo, Business $15/mo.

Best For

Team collaboration, databases, project management

Our Verdict

Best for teams and those who need databases alongside notes. Less suitable for markdown purists.

#3

Typora

A minimal markdown editor

8/10
Visit website →

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
Pricing

$14.99 (one-time)

One-time purchase. Free trial available.

Best For

Distraction-free writing, clean exports

Our Verdict

The purest markdown writing experience. Perfect for writers who just want to write without distractions.

#4

VS Code

Code editor with great markdown support

7/10
Visit website →

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
Pricing

Free

Completely free and open source.

Best For

Developers, documentation, README files

Our Verdict

Already using VS Code? It handles markdown excellently with the right extensions. Best for developers.

#5

iA Writer

The focused writing app

8/10
Visit website →

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
Pricing

$49.99 (one-time)

One-time per platform. Family sharing available.

Best For

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.

Try Our Markdown Tools

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