What is Zettlr?
Zettlr is a free and open-source Markdown editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, built around academic writing. It connects to reference managers such as Zotero to insert citations, links notes Zettelkasten-style, and exports papers and presentations through Pandoc profiles and templates. Files stay on the user's computer, with no forced cloud sync and no telemetry, and development is funded by donations.
Zettlr is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Researchers and students writing papers or theses in Markdown
- Zotero users who want citations inside a plain-text editor
- People who keep a Zettelkasten of linked notes
- Writers who want their files kept on their own computer
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- Citations from a reference manager
- Loads a library from Zotero, JabRef or Juris-M, previews citations in the text and formats them in any of more than 9,000 citation styles.
- Export profiles with Pandoc
- A profile pairs an export format with a template, so a paper can be exported for a journal or conference in one click. Beamer, reveal.js and PowerPoint slides are supported too.
- Zettelkasten tools
- Supports note IDs, wiki-style links between notes, related files and a graph view for building a personal knowledge base.
- Adjustable Markdown rendering
- The editor can show anything from raw Markdown to rich text. LaTeX math and Mermaid charts render inline, and the look can be changed with custom CSS.
- Spelling, grammar and style checks
- Includes a spellchecker and a Markdown linter, and can connect to LanguageTool for grammar and style checking.
- Projects, snippets and statistics
- Project support groups the files of a longer work, snippets insert reusable text with variables and tab stops, and writing statistics track progress.
Zettlr pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole app is free and open source, with no paid tier. Development is funded by voluntary donations through Patreon, PayPal, GitHub Sponsors or Ko-fi.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, free and open source, with optional donations to support development. |
Read from zettlr.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Zettlr before you buy.
Works with
- Zotero
- JabRef
- Juris-M
- LanguageTool
- Pandoc
Zettlr alternatives
- Zettlr vs Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
- Zettlr vs Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
- Zettlr vs Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
Common questions
Is Zettlr free?
Yes. Zettlr is free to use. The whole app is free and open source, with no paid tier. Development is funded by voluntary donations through Patreon, PayPal, GitHub Sponsors or Ko-fi.
How much does Zettlr cost?
Zettlr lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from zettlr.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Zettlr work on?
Zettlr is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Zettlr have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Zettlr is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Zettlr have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Zettlr is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Zettlr open source?
Yes. Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
Does Zettlr work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Zettlr integrate with?
Zettlr's listing names Zotero, JabRef, Juris-M, LanguageTool and Pandoc. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Zettlr?
Zettlr is made by Hendrik Erz. It dates from 2017.
What are the alternatives to Zettlr?
The closest alternatives to Zettlr in our directory are Typora, Obsidian, MarkText, ghostwriter and Logseq. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Zettlr.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.