Alternatives · Writing
MarkText alternatives
MarkText compared with 5 alternatives: Typora, ghostwriter, Zettlr, iA Writer and Markdown Monster.
MarkText is free to use. 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MarkTextThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Typora | Free trial · from $14.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| ghostwriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Zettlr | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| iA Writer | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Markdown Monster | Free trial · from $99 one-time | Trial only | Windows |
How each one differs from MarkText
- Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
Typora
Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type
- Typora starts at $14.99 one-time, before tax. MarkText is free.
- MarkText has a free plan. Typora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Typora can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who write Markdown and want to see formatted text as they type
- Free
ghostwriter
Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing
- ghostwriter is free. MarkText is free.
- Only MarkText lists a macOS app.
Suits: Linux and Windows users who want a free Markdown editor
- Free
Zettlr
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing
- Zettlr is free. MarkText is free.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Researchers and students writing papers or theses in Markdown
- Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
iA Writer
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode
- iA Writer starts at $19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac. MarkText is free.
- MarkText has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only iA Writer lists an iOS app.
- Only MarkText lists a Linux app.
- iA Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
- Free trial · from $99 one-time
Markdown Monster
Markdown editor and weblog publisher for Windows
- Markdown Monster starts at $99 one-time per user (version 4 license). MarkText is free.
- MarkText has a free plan. Markdown Monster does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only MarkText lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Markdown Monster can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Windows users who write documentation or blog posts in Markdown
Limits worth knowing in MarkText
- Desktop only: no web, iOS or Android version is offered.
- macOS builds need macOS 11 or later and come as separate Apple Silicon and Intel installers; no universal build is published.
- Windows builds require Windows 10 or 11.
- Export covers PDF and HTML files only.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to MarkText?
The alternatives to MarkText in this directory are Typora, ghostwriter, Zettlr, iA Writer and Markdown Monster. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with MarkText.
Is there a free alternative to MarkText?
Yes. ghostwriter and Zettlr are free to use.
Which MarkText alternatives work on iOS?
The MarkText listing does not include an iOS app. iA Writer lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.