The MacDown Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about MacDown in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
MacDown
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source Markdown editor for macOS with live preview
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from MacDown’s own pages.
Made by Tzu-ping Chung · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from MacDown’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on MacDown’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade
MacDown is a Markdown editor for macOS released under the MIT License. It renders a live preview of the document with configurable rendering options. The version on its site is 0.7.3, and the page's copyright line runs to 2021.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about MacDown, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Look elsewhere if you want a tool that's kept up.
- 1
Best for a Markdown editor for Mac
MacDown is a free open-source Markdown editor for Mac with a live preview.
- 2
It is free
MacDown has no paid plan at all. MacDown is open source under the MIT License and free to download, with no account.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Live preview
Hoedown renders Markdown to HTML as you type, and the rendering options can be changed in Preferences.
- 5
Syntax highlighting
Fenced code blocks with a language name are highlighted using Prism.
- 6
Math and task lists
It renders TeX-like math such as $$...$$ blocks and GitHub-style task lists.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 67 of 100
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
MacDown is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
MacDown at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Tzu-ping Chung
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a Markdown editor for Mac
MacDown is a free open-source Markdown editor for Mac with a live preview. It's Mac only, the latest release is 0.7.3 and the footer says 2014 to 2021, and the app is unsigned. Look elsewhere if you want a tool that's kept up.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free under the MIT License, with no account. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole app is free and open source, with nothing to cap. |
| Features | C | Live preview, syntax highlighting, math, task lists and Jekyll front matter. A Markdown editor and not a full writing suite. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but it's a Mac app with a preview pane and nothing to set up. macOS asks you to open it manually the first time. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only, and the FAQ says other platforms are not planned. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who MacDown is for
- Fits if you write Markdown on a Mac and want a preview beside it
- Works for blog or Jekyll writers
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you're not on a Mac, as other platforms aren't planned
- Watch out: the latest release is 0.7.3 and the footer says 2014 to 2021, so updates are infrequent
- Watch out: the app is unsigned, and macOS asks you to open it manually the first time
- Too light for long documents, as it's an editor with a preview
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want a plain, free Markdown editor with a preview pane
- Developers writing README files and Jekyll posts
Worth knowing
- It runs on macOS only; the FAQ says other platforms are not planned for now.
- The latest release on the site is 0.7.3 and the footer says 2014 to 2021, so updates have been infrequent.
- The app is not signed with an Apple developer certificate, so macOS asks you to open it manually the first time, according to the FAQ.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
MacDown is free to use.
Free under the MIT License, with no account.
Free
$0
The full Markdown editor for macOS, also installable with Homebrew.
The free plan
MacDown is open source under the MIT License and free to download, with no account.
Read from macdown.uranusjr.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Open-source Markdown editor for macOS with live preview. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, Markdown.
Live preview, syntax highlighting, math, task lists and Jekyll front matter.
- Live preview
- Hoedown renders Markdown to HTML as you type, and the rendering options can be changed in Preferences.
- Syntax highlighting
- Fenced code blocks with a language name are highlighted using Prism.
- Math and task lists
- It renders TeX-like math such as $$...$$ blocks and GitHub-style task lists.
- Jekyll front matter
- Jekyll front matter is among the additional rendering tools the features page lists.
- Auto-completion
- The features page describes auto-completion built for the author's own needs, and says it can be turned off.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
MacDown is made by Tzu-ping Chung.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
67/100
Other writing tools it is graded above
MacDown's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 81 of 100) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
MacDown has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 101 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. MacDown’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 65 of 100
- AFree plan and trialAbove 81 of 100
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 100
- BEase of useAbove 58 of 100
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 100
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 79 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. MacDown is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
MacDown is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Markdown: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. MacDown’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Typora, MarkText, Zettlr and iA Writer
The 4 tools MacDown is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type.
- MacDown has a free plan. Typora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Typora lists Windows and Linux apps.
- MacDown is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
MarkText
Free
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering.
- Only MarkText lists Windows and Linux apps.
- 2.8GPA
Zettlr
Free
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing.
- Only Zettlr lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
- 2.8GPA
iA Writer
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode.
- MacDown has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only iA Writer lists Windows and iOS apps.
- MacDown is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is MacDown free?
Yes. MacDown is free to use.
How much does MacDown cost?
MacDown lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does MacDown work on?
MacDown is available on macOS.
Does MacDown have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. MacDown is listed for macOS.
Does MacDown have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. MacDown is listed for macOS.
Is MacDown open source?
Yes. MacDown is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes MacDown?
MacDown is made by Tzu-ping Chung.
What are the alternatives to MacDown?
The closest alternatives to MacDown in our directory are Typora, MarkText, Zettlr and iA Writer.
How does MacDown compare with other writing tools?
MacDown's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
Is MacDown good value for money?
ToolGPA grades MacDown A for value for money. MacDown has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of MacDown?
MacDown is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from MacDown’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Tzu-ping Chung's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Tzu-ping Chung. Prices change, so check macdown.uranusjr.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- MacDown, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/macdown
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "MacDown: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/macdown
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/macdown/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- Writing Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 101 writing tools we grade, compared
- FreeOffice TextMaker Insider's GuideFree word processor that opens and saves Microsoft Word files3.4 GPA
- Microsoft Word Insider's GuideWord processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Beat Insider's GuideFree, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what MacDown’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. MacDown is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Tzu-ping Chung. Prices and plans change: check macdown.uranusjr.com before you buy.