Markdown is a simple and efficient way to write, organize, and structure text, particularly when working with documents such as essays, books, or reports. But writing in markdown can be difficult without the right tools, especially if you’re on Windows.
There are plenty of options available for Windows, however. Some editors provide more than one window (e.g., KeenWrite), while others offer only one screen but provide rich features like syntax highlighting. You’ll also need to decide how much time you want to invest in your tool — many are free, and others offer some form of freemium model that allows users to use the software at no cost, or for a short period, before paying.
If you’re looking for something truly open-source, there’s MarkText, which is entirely community-powered. Otherwise, Typora offers an excellent set of features at a small price, while Zettlr provides a powerful knowledge management option that can double as a robust markdown editor.
MarkText
MarkText is our favorite markdown editor on Windows, and it has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a markdown tool: real-time previewing, a distraction-free mode, syntax highlighting, and a wide range of keyboard shortcuts and customizable themes. The app itself is entirely open source and community-powered, which means you won’t have to worry about bugs and glitches disappearing down the road.
The application doesn’t require any additional libraries or components to run; simply download MarkText directly and install it. If you do have any questions, the forum is a great place to find answers, and the documentation site offers extensive explanations on every feature you can use. It’s easy enough for a casual user, and powerful enough for more advanced writers who may already know some of the intricacies of markdown syntax.
Typora
Typora is another markdown editor we’ve used over the years, though it has changed significantly since then. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that it’s still among the best markdown editors for Windows.
Typora uses a single-pane approach for markdown editing, meaning you’re essentially staring straight into a document with the ability to toggle back-and-forth between markdown and formatted text. We’ve reviewed this particular version extensively before, though I should note that the free trial version doesn’t allow you to publish work, either through GitHub or elsewhere. The free trial is designed specifically for people who just need a markdown tool, whereas the premium plan allows publishing and sharing content.
Otherwise, it’s a powerful markdown editor that supports both HTML and PDF output, and it’s highly customizable thanks to a ton of options. You’ll even find support for drag-and-drop tables, CSS themes, and auto-pairing of markdown symbols.
KeenWrite and MD Docs
While MarkText represents a good markdown tool that’s fully open source, there are a few other markdown editors out there too. KeenWrite, which isn’t open source, is also a solid markdown editor that includes a split editor/preview pane. While most modern markdown apps include that split layout, it does represent the standard layout today.
KeenWrite is free to download, however, so it’s important to check its setup requirements before downloading. You’ll also have to install Java separately.
MD Docs, on the other hand, is a free markdown editor that takes the same approach to splitting windows. It’s designed for those who prefer side-by-side markdown with multiple synchronized HTML previews, making it ideal for people who don’t just want a markdown editor, but also want to share their work quickly online.
Zettlr
Zettlr is a bit different than the rest of the applications here, in that it doesn’t use the traditional split window layout for markdown editors. Instead, it allows you to write, view, and format markdown using two separate views. However, the editor isn’t quite as full-featured as other markdown apps.
Obsidian
Finally, Obsidian is probably the closest alternative to Evernote or Microsoft OneNote, but for markdown. Obsidian allows users to create, save, and search for files easily within a file tree, making it a very useful tool for researchers or students. While primarily a notetaking program, it’s definitely worth considering if you’d like a markdown editor that doubles as a personal knowledge base.