Best text and Markdown editors
Lightweight editors for plain text and Markdown, from Notepad replacements to focused writing apps.
7 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All text and Markdown editors
- Alternatives to MarkEdit
- Alternatives to Typora
A Markdown editor that shows formatted text as you type, with no separate preview.
PaidmacOS, Windows, Linux - Alternatives to MiaoYan
Native, local-first Markdown writing app for Mac, with a paid companion for iPhone and iPad.
Open sourcemacOS, iOS - Alternatives to gedit
Free, easy-to-learn text editor from the GNOME project with tabs, syntax highlighting and plugins.
Open sourceLinux - Alternatives to Notepad Next
Cross-platform, open-source reimplementation of Notepad++ for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Notepadqq
- Alternatives to Ferrite
Lightweight open-source editor for Markdown, JSON, YAML and TOML files, written in Rust.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux
Our picks by need
Common questions
What are the best text and Markdown editors?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading text and Markdown editors right now are MarkEdit, Typora, MiaoYan, gedit and Notepad Next.
Are there free text and Markdown editors?
Yes. MarkEdit (open source), MiaoYan (open source), gedit (open source), Notepad Next (open source) and Notepadqq (open source) have a free option, out of 6 free or freemium apps we track.
Which text and Markdown editors are open source?
MarkEdit, MiaoYan, gedit, Notepad Next and Notepadqq.