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Markdown Monster

Markdown editor and weblog publisher for Windows

Free trial · from $99 one-timeWritingChecked Oct 9, 2026
Markdown Monster, as pictured on markdownmonster.west-wind.com
How Markdown Monster presents itself. Image from markdownmonster.west-wind.com.

What is Markdown Monster?

Markdown Monster is a Markdown editor for Windows from West Wind Technologies. It pairs a syntax-colored editor with a live preview that scrolls in step, and adds helpers for images, tables and code, Git integration, export to PDF and HTML, and publishing to weblogs. It can be downloaded and evaluated for free with every feature, and continued use needs a perpetual license for the current major version.

Markdown Monster is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $99 one-time per user (version 4 license). See every plan

Good for

  • Windows users who write documentation or blog posts in Markdown
  • Developers who want Git status and commits inside the editor
  • Bloggers publishing to WordPress, Medium or Jekyll from Markdown files
  • Buyers who prefer a perpetual license to a subscription

Worth knowing

  • Windows only: the download page gives Windows 10 or later as the requirement, and no Mac, Linux, mobile or web version is listed.
  • A standard license covers one major version. Upgrading to the next costs about half the full price unless the license was bought within a year of its release.
  • The AI features need your own API key from an OpenAI-compatible provider; the license includes no AI usage.
  • The free evaluation has every feature but shows occasional notices, and the vendor requires a paid license for continued use.

Key features

Editor with synced live preview
Syntax-colored Markdown editing beside a collapsible HTML preview that updates and scrolls as you type, with inline spell checking and word counts.
Image, table and code helpers
Paste images from the clipboard, capture and embed screenshots, edit tables in an interactive table editor and insert formatted code snippets.
Export and weblog publishing
Export to PDF or HTML, or publish to a WordPress, MetaWeblog, Jekyll or Medium blog, then edit and republish posts or download existing ones.
Git integration
Shows Git status on files and folders and has a commit dialog for reviewing and committing changes from inside the editor.
AI features with your own key
Chat, image generation, text suggestions, summaries, grammar checking and translation run on your own API key for OpenAI-compatible providers such as OpenAI, Azure, Gemini or Ollama.
.NET addins and command line
A .NET addin model lets extensions hook into the interface, editor, rendering and publishing, and a command line converts Markdown to HTML and PDF.

Markdown Monster pricing

Starts at
$99 one-time per user (version 4 license)
Free plan
None
Free trial
Free evaluation download with every feature and no stated time limit; it shows occasional evaluation notices.
Single User$99one-time purchase, per user, for version 4A perpetual license for one person on any number of machines, with free minor updates and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
5 User License$399one-time purchase for 5 usersThe same perpetual version 4 license for five users.
Lifetime License$399one-time purchase, per userA single-user license that includes every future major-version upgrade at no further cost.
10 User License$749one-time purchase for 10 usersThe same perpetual version 4 license for ten users.
25 User License$1,899one-time purchase for 25 usersThe same perpetual version 4 license for twenty-five users.
Site License$5,999one-time purchase, per organizationAny number of users within a single organization, with a 5-year free upgrade guarantee.

Read from markdownmonster.west-wind.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Markdown Monster before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Ways to pay less

  • Lifetime licenseLifetime single-user license for $399

    The Lifetime License includes all future major-version upgrades for one user, against $99 for a license tied to version 4.

    Stated on markdownmonster.west-wind.com
  • Other savingsUpgrade from an earlier version for $49

    Holders of a version 1, 2 or 3 single-user license can move to version 4 for $49. Version 3 licenses bought on or after December 1, 2024 upgrade free.

    Stated on markdownmonster.west-wind.com
  • Other savingsFree licenses for Microsoft MVPs and employees

    Microsoft MVPs, ASP.NET Insiders, Microsoft employees and staff of companies that give free tools to the MVP program can apply for a free license.

    Stated on markdownmonster.west-wind.com
  • Other savingsLocation-adjusted discount on application

    People in countries where the list price is prohibitive can apply for a discounted license, adjusted for their location using the Big Mac Index.

    Stated on markdownmonster.west-wind.com

Works with

Markdown Monster alternatives

Common questions

Is Markdown Monster free?

No, Markdown Monster is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free evaluation download with every feature and no stated time limit; it shows occasional evaluation notices.

How much does Markdown Monster cost?

Markdown Monster lists 6 plans. Single User: $99 one-time purchase, per user, for version 4. 5 User License: $399 one-time purchase for 5 users. Lifetime License: $399 one-time purchase, per user. 10 User License: $749 one-time purchase for 10 users. 25 User License: $1,899 one-time purchase for 25 users. Site License: $5,999 one-time purchase, per organization. Prices were read from markdownmonster.west-wind.com on Oct 9, 2026.

What platforms does Markdown Monster work on?

Markdown Monster is available on Windows.

Does Markdown Monster offer any discounts?

Markdown Monster publicly lists the following: Lifetime single-user license for $399; Upgrade from an earlier version for $49; Free licenses for Microsoft MVPs and employees; Location-adjusted discount on application.

Does Markdown Monster have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Markdown Monster is listed for Windows.

Does Markdown Monster have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Markdown Monster is listed for Windows.

Is Markdown Monster open source?

Markdown Monster is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.

What does Markdown Monster integrate with?

Markdown Monster's listing names WordPress, Medium, Jekyll, Git, SnagIt, OpenAI, Ollama and GitHub Gist. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes Markdown Monster?

Markdown Monster is made by West Wind Technologies.

What are the alternatives to Markdown Monster?

The closest alternatives to Markdown Monster in our directory are Typora, MarkText, ghostwriter, Zettlr and iA Writer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Markdown Monster.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.