Alternatives · Writing
Zettlr alternatives
Zettlr compared with 8 alternatives: Typora, Obsidian, MarkText, ghostwriter, Logseq and 3 more.
Zettlr is free to use. 6 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZettlrThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Typora | Free trial · from $14.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Obsidian | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| MarkText | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| ghostwriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Logseq | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Markdown Monster | Free trial · from $99 one-time | Trial only | Windows |
| novelWriter | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Typst | Free plan · from $7.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from Zettlr
- 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. Zettlr is free.
- Zettlr has a free plan. Typora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Typora can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: People who write Markdown and want to see formatted text as they type
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Zettlr is free.
- Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
- Free
MarkText
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering
- MarkText is free. Zettlr is free.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Writers who want Markdown rendered as they type, without a split preview
- Free
ghostwriter
Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing
- ghostwriter is free. Zettlr is free.
- Only Zettlr lists a macOS app.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Linux and Windows users who want a free Markdown editor
- Free plan · from $5/mo
Logseq
Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files
- Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. Zettlr is free.
- Only Logseq lists a web app.
- Only Logseq lists iOS and Android apps.
- Logseq also covers notes, whiteboard and daily notes.
- Zettlr also covers citations and long-form writing.
Suits: People who think in outlines and want their notes as plain-text files
- 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). Zettlr is free.
- Zettlr has a free plan. Markdown Monster does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Zettlr lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Markdown Monster can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Windows users who write documentation or blog posts in Markdown
- Free
novelWriter
Free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels
- novelWriter is free. Zettlr is free.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes and citations.
Suits: Novelists on Linux or Windows who want a free plain-text editor
- Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Typst
Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app
- Typst starts at $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly). Zettlr is free.
- Only Typst lists a web app.
- Typst is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Typst also covers templates and presentations.
- Zettlr also covers Markdown and linked notes.
Suits: Students and researchers who want an alternative to LaTeX
Limits worth knowing in Zettlr
- Desktop only: downloads are listed for macOS 12 or newer, Windows 10 or newer and Linux, with no mobile or web app.
- It has no cloud service of its own: files stay on the computer, with no built-in cloud synchronization.
- Citations draw on a library kept in an external reference manager such as Zotero, JabRef or Juris-M.
- Grammar and style checking beyond the spellchecker relies on connecting LanguageTool.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Zettlr?
The alternatives to Zettlr in this directory are Typora, Obsidian, MarkText, ghostwriter, Logseq, Markdown Monster, novelWriter and Typst. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Zettlr.
Is there a free alternative to Zettlr?
Yes. MarkText, ghostwriter and novelWriter are free to use. Obsidian, Logseq and Typst have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Zettlr alternatives work on Android?
The Zettlr listing does not include an Android app. Obsidian and Logseq list one.
Which Zettlr alternatives work on iOS?
The Zettlr listing does not include an iOS app. Obsidian and Logseq list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.