MarkText
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering
What is MarkText?
MarkText is a free desktop Markdown editor released under the MIT License and built by volunteers. It renders Markdown in place as it is typed instead of showing a separate preview pane, and it handles tables, KaTeX math, footnotes, front matter and diagrams. It runs on macOS, Windows and Linux with no account, and exports documents to PDF and HTML.
MarkText is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Writers who want Markdown rendered as they type, without a split preview
- People who want one free editor on macOS, Windows and Linux
- Technical notes with math, code blocks and diagrams
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- Real-time preview
- Markdown is rendered in place as it is typed, in a single pane with no split view. A source code mode shows the raw Markdown when full control is needed.
- Extended Markdown
- Supports the CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown specs, plus tables, footnotes, KaTeX math, syntax-highlighted code blocks and YAML, TOML or JSON front matter.
- Diagrams
- Flowcharts and charts written in Mermaid, Vega or Vega-Lite are drawn inside the document.
- Themes
- Ships with 33 built-in light and dark themes. Each theme is plain CSS, so one can be copied and adjusted or replaced with a custom stylesheet.
- Focus and typewriter modes
- Focus mode dims everything except the line being written, and typewriter mode keeps that line centered in the window.
- PDF and HTML export
- Exports a document to PDF or to a self-contained HTML file with the chosen theme applied.
MarkText pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole application is free and open source under the MIT License, with no account and no subscription. The project asks for optional sponsorship through GitHub Sponsors.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The complete editor for macOS, Windows and Linux, with every feature and theme included and no account required. |
Read from marktext.me on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with MarkText before you buy.
Works with
- KaTeX
- Mermaid
- Vega
- Vega-Lite
MarkText alternatives
- MarkText vs Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
- MarkText vs iA Writer
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
- MarkText vs Markdown Monster
Free trial · from $99 one-time
Common questions
Is MarkText free?
Yes. MarkText is free to use. The whole application is free and open source under the MIT License, with no account and no subscription. The project asks for optional sponsorship through GitHub Sponsors.
How much does MarkText cost?
MarkText lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from marktext.me on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does MarkText work on?
MarkText is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does MarkText have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. MarkText is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does MarkText have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. MarkText is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is MarkText open source?
Yes. MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
What does MarkText integrate with?
MarkText's listing names KaTeX, Mermaid, Vega and Vega-Lite. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes MarkText?
MarkText is made by Jocs and contributors. It dates from 2017.
What are the alternatives to MarkText?
The closest alternatives to MarkText in our directory are Typora, ghostwriter, Zettlr, iA Writer and Markdown Monster. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with MarkText.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.