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MiaoYan alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave MiaoYan: apple platforms only: no Windows, Linux or Android, and no plugin system for extending it. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces MiaoYan, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Obsidian currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +28 of 970.6
2Bear logoBearFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS6 of 764.5
3Zettlr logoZettlrOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 460.4
4iA Writer logoiA WriterPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS4 of 452.6
5Ulysses logoUlyssesPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 450.0
  1. Obsidian logo

    1. ObsidianTop pick

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    70.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from MiaoYan

    Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1592
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good MiaoYan alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 9 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, the app is free without limits
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $4 per user/month for Sync, billed annually
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Publish plan
    $8 per site/month, billed annually
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Commercial license
    $50 per user/year (optional)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    7 days for Sync and Publish
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    40% off Sync and Publish
    Checked Nov 1, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Bear logo

    2. Bear

    Best for: Apple users who want a fast, beautiful Markdown writing app

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    64.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from MiaoYan

    Polished native Apple notes app with Markdown styling and built-in sync across devices.

    Pros

    • Polished, distraction-free editor
    • Nested hashtags for organizing
    • Many export formats

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Sync requires Bear Pro
    Visit Bear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1577
    Freshness ×0.1590
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bear a good MiaoYan alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 7 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, iPadOS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Bear Pro subscription
    Not checked yetbear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Editor
    Markdown
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $2.99 a month (Bear Pro)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Bear Pro yearly plan
    $29.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, local notes without sync
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Zettlr logo

    3. Zettlr

    Best for: Academics and writers who want Markdown notes with citations and Pandoc export

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    60.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from MiaoYan

    Free, open-source Markdown editor with citations and Zettelkasten links that also runs on Windows and Linux.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Citations from Zotero, JabRef or Juris-M
    • Pandoc export to Word, PDF and LaTeX
    • Plain Markdown files on your disk

    Cons

    • No mobile apps
    • No built-in sync
    • Less suited to quick capture
    Visit Zettlr Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1561
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zettlr a good MiaoYan alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Funding
    Donations
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Reference managers
    Zotero, JabRef, Juris-M
    Checked Oct 29, 2026zettlr.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. iA Writer logo

    4. iA Writer

    Best for: Writers who want a distraction-free Markdown editor and plain-text files

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from MiaoYan

    Focused Markdown writing app with a clean preview, available on Windows and Android too.

    Pros

    • Focus Mode and style checks keep writing tight
    • Plain-text Markdown files with no lock-in
    • One-time purchase per platform

    Cons

    • No page layout, complex tables or tracked changes
    • Separate purchase for each platform
    • No real-time collaboration
    Visit iA Writer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is iA Writer a good MiaoYan alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days, no card
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac price
    $49.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows price
    $29.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirements
    macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Ulysses logo

    5. Ulysses

    Best for: Apple users who write a lot and publish to blogs or ebooks

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    50.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from MiaoYan

    Subscription Mac and iOS writing app with a library, goals and publishing export for longer projects.

    Pros

    • Single library with goals, keywords and grouping
    • Direct publishing to WordPress, Ghost, Medium and Micro.blog
    • Smooth iCloud sync across Mac, iPad and iPhone

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Subscription pricing
    • Library storage is less portable than plain files
    Visit Ulysses Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ulysses a good MiaoYan alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $39.99/year or $5.99/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, iPad, iPhone
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes, fully functional
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Publishing
    WordPress, Ghost, Medium, Micro.blog
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best MiaoYan alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Obsidian logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for most people

Obsidian

Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform.

Zettlr logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for a free option

Zettlr

Free, open-source Markdown editor with citations and Zettelkasten links that also runs on Windows and Linux.

Bear logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Bear

Polished native Apple notes app with Markdown styling and built-in sync across devices.

Zettlr logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for open source

Zettlr

Free, open-source Markdown editor with citations and Zettelkasten links that also runs on Windows and Linux.

iA Writer logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for Mac

iA Writer

Focused Markdown writing app with a clean preview, available on Windows and Android too.

Obsidian logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for Windows

Obsidian

Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform.

Obsidian logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform.

Obsidian logo

Best MiaoYan alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform.

MiaoYan alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to MiaoYan?

Obsidian ranks first right now. Also works on local Markdown files, with a huge plugin ecosystem and apps on every platform. Bear and Zettlr follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to MiaoYan?

Yes. Obsidian (free plan + paid), Bear (free plan + paid) and Zettlr (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to MiaoYan?

Yes: Zettlr.

Which MiaoYan alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian and Zettlr run on Linux.

Why do people switch from MiaoYan?

The complaints we hear most: apple platforms only: no Windows, Linux or Android; no plugin system for extending it; source-plus-preview editing, not WYSIWYG like Typora.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces MiaoYan, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.