MacDown AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Text Editors

The best Text Editor alternative to MacDown is Typora. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try ghostwriter or Norka. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to MacDown and many of them are Text Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Text Editor alternatives to MacDown are Hemingway Editor, Fleschkey, Notepack and Notepad App.

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MacDown alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Text Editors or Todo List Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of MacDown.
MacDown iconMacDown
  23
  • Free • Open Source
  • ...

MacDown is an open source Markdown editor for macOS, released under the MIT License. It is heavily influenced by Chen Luo’s Mou.

More about MacDown
More about MacDown
MacDown alternatives page was last updated Sep 16, 2024
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  1. Typora icon
    Typora icon

    Typora

     315 likes
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    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file management with tree and articles panels, and content organization through an outline...

    163 Typora alternatives
    Typora screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    Typora screenshot 1
    Typora screenshot 2
    +4
    Typora screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Live Preview
    3.  Distraction-free
    4.  Write files in markdown
    5.  WYSIWYG Support
    6.  Save as Markdown
    7.  Support for LaTeX
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Simple text editor
    10.  Multiplatform
    11.  Export to PDF
    12.  Spell Checking
    13.  Nested Folders
    14.  Underline
    15.  Export to Word
    16.  Built-in themes
    17.  No registration required
    Typora iconMacDown Icon

    Typora VS MacDown

    Is Typora a good alternative to MacDown?
     

    • Typora is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to MacDown.

    • Typora is the most popular commercial alternative to MacDown.

    • Typora is Paid and ProprietaryMacDown is Free and Open Source
    • Typora is LightweightMacDown is not according to our users
  2. ghostwriter icon
    ghostwriter icon

    ghostwriter

     97 likes
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    No excuses. No distractions. Just write. ghostwriter is a feature-rich text editor using Markdown syntax which makes it suitable for note-taking, document redaction, simple HTML website creation and much more.

    133 ghostwriter alternatives
    ghostwriter screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Mac
    ghostwriter screenshot 1
    ghostwriter screenshot 2
    +1
    ghostwriter screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Simple text editor
    4.  Stay Focused
    5.  Distraction-free Writing
    6.  Spell Checking
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  Portable
    9.  Writing statistics
    10.  Word counter
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Works Offline
    13.  Export to Word
    14.  Support for LaTeX
    15.  WYSIWYG Support
    16.  Syntax Highlighting
    17.  Fullscreen support
    18.  Support for Large File
    ghostwriter iconMacDown Icon

    ghostwriter VS MacDown

    Is ghostwriter a good alternative to MacDown?
     

    • ghostwriter is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to MacDown.

    • ghostwriter is Free and Open SourceMacDown is also Free and Open Source
    • ghostwriter is LightweightMacDown is not according to our users
  4. Hemingway Editor icon
    Hemingway Editor icon

    Hemingway Editor

     56 likes
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    Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear.

    130 Hemingway Editor alternatives
    Hemingway Editor screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    Hemingway Editor Features

    1.  Spell Checking
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Writing assistance
    5.  Collaborative writing
    6.  Ebook writer
    7.  Readability integration
    8.  Distraction-free Writing
    9.  Automated proofreading
    10.  Writing suggestions
    Hemingway Editor iconMacDown Icon

    Hemingway Editor VS MacDown

    Is Hemingway Editor a good alternative to MacDown?
     

    • Hemingway Editor is the most popular Web-based alternative to MacDown.

    • Hemingway Editor is Paid and ProprietaryMacDown is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Typora icon

    Typora

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file manag...

    https://typora.io
    Learn More
  6. Fleschkey icon
    Fleschkey icon

    Fleschkey

     3 likes
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    Fleschkey is a smart writing assistant that helps improve readability, clarity, and style by analyzing text using the Flesch-Kincaid readability test in real-time.

    52 Fleschkey alternatives
    Fleschkey screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Fleschkey screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Embedded media
    5.  Local Storage
    6.  Rich Text Editor
    7.  Embedded video
    8.  Readability
    9.  Writing assistance
    Fleschkey iconMacDown Icon

    Fleschkey VS MacDown

    Is Fleschkey a good alternative to MacDown?
     

    • Fleschkey is the most popular SaaS alternative to MacDown.

    • Fleschkey is Paid and ProprietaryMacDown is Free and Open Source
    • Fleschkey is Privacy focusedMacDown is not according to our users
  7. Norka icon
    Norka icon

    Norka

     4 likes
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    Imagine a hassle-free text-writing experience. Don't worry about saving files, complex markup, or accidentally deleted notes.

    54 Norka alternatives
    Norka screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flatpak
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    • elementary OS
    Norka screenshot 1
    Norka screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Spell Checking
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Export to HTML
    9.  Simple text editor
    10.  Color Palette
    Norka iconMacDown Icon

    Norka VS MacDown

    Is Norka a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  8. Notepack icon
    Notepack icon

    Notepack

     14 likes
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    Privacy oriented, without vendor lock in note organizer, todo list desktop application. Work offline with text, markdown and pdf files.

    334 Notepack alternatives
    Markdown support

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dark mode enabled
    Tasks list
    +2
    Create new workspace

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Knowledge Management
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  WebDAV Sync
    Notepack iconMacDown Icon

    Notepack VS MacDown

    Is Notepack a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  10. Notepad App icon
    Notepad App icon

    Notepad App

     3 likes
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    A markdown-based notes app for macOS, with simplicity and moderation.

    67 Notepad App alternatives
    Notepad App screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Notepad App Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Dark Mode
    Notepad App iconMacDown Icon

    Notepad App VS MacDown

    Is Notepad App a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  11. ReText icon
    ReText icon

    ReText

     48 likes
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    ReText is a simple text editor for Markdown and reStructuredText documents with syntax highlighting and optional live preview.

    199 ReText alternatives
    ReText screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    ReText screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Live Preview
    3.  Distraction-free
    4.  WYSIWYG Support
    5.  ReStructuredText
    ReText iconMacDown Icon

    ReText VS MacDown

    Is ReText a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  12. Haroopad icon
    Haroopad icon

    Haroopad

     69 likes
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    Haroopad is a markdown enabled document processor for creating web-friendly documents. You can author various formats of documents such as blog article, slide, presentation, report, and e-mail as if experts did.

    105 Haroopad alternatives
    Haroopad screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Haroopad Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Vim key mapping
    3.  Publishing
    Haroopad screenshot 1
    Haroopad screenshot 2
    +4
    Haroopad screenshot 3
    Discontinued

    The last update was in December 2018.

    Haroopad iconMacDown Icon

    Haroopad VS MacDown

    Is Haroopad a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  13. MarkdownPad icon
    MarkdownPad icon

    MarkdownPad

     63 likes
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    MarkdownPad is a full-featured Markdown editor for Windows. Features: LivePreview : Instantly see how your documents look in HTML as you create them. Easy formatting with keyboard shortcuts. Markdown formatting can be applied (and removed) with handy keyboard shortcuts and toolb.

    97 MarkdownPad alternatives
    MarkdownPad screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    MarkdownPad Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    MarkdownPad screenshot 1
    MarkdownPad screenshot 2
    +5
    MarkdownPad screenshot 3
    Discontinued

    The program seems to be no longer updated. Last version, 2.5, released in December 2014, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    MarkdownPad iconMacDown Icon

    MarkdownPad VS MacDown

    Is MarkdownPad a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  14. Zen Editor icon
    Zen Editor icon

    Zen Editor

     1 like
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    Zen by Unit is a free, minimal, fast, private writing app. Just open and use.

    80 Zen Editor alternatives
    Zen Editor screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Zen Editor screenshot 1
    Zen Editor screenshot 2
    +2
    Zen Editor screenshot 3

    Zen Editor Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Distraction-free
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Online editor
    Zen Editor iconMacDown Icon

    Zen Editor VS MacDown

    Is Zen Editor a good alternative to MacDown?
     
  15. Paper icon
    Paper icon

    Paper

     4 likes
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    Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.

    125 Paper alternatives
    Paper screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Paper screenshot 1
    Paper screenshot 2
    +9
    Paper screenshot 3

    Paper Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  WYSIWYG Support
    4.  Distraction-free
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Fullscreen support
    8.  Distraction-free Writing
    Paper iconMacDown Icon

    Paper VS MacDown

    Is Paper a good alternative to MacDown?
     
12 of 21 MacDown alternatives