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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
1Zettlr logoZettlrOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 460.4
  1. Zettlr logo

    1. ZettlrTop pick

    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)

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.