Looking for the best free online Markdown editors available on the web? We got you covered. In this article, we have selected the best options currently available.
We focused on three main areas – ease of use, functionality, and the ability to save edited files for later use. And of course, all of the Markdown editors mentioned in this article are completely free.
What is the Markdown Editor?
Before we get started, let me explain what the Markdown editor does. Basically, the Markdown editor takes whatever you write and turns it into Markdown code.
When you add paragraphs, bullets, headings, bold text, links, or anything else, some Markdown editors will automatically convert that to correct Markdown code. Or, in some cases, Markdown editors will require you to enter Markdown code directly.
The Markdown editor makes it easy to use Markdown. You will likely come across Markdown from time to time if you have to surf the web, so the Markdown editor will make your life a lot easier.
Stackedit.io – for Markdown Newbies
Stackedit.io is one of the most popular Markdown editors available on the web. It gives you quick access to an editing tool that doesn’t require registration. Using Stackedit.io is as easy as going to their website and clicking “Start Writing.”
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On the left side of Stackedit.io‘s interface, you’ll have a standard text editor with the tools you’d expect to see in Microsoft Word.
The Markdown code will be automatically converted in the left pane as you type. In the right pane, you can see what the result will look like.
Above, you can see how the text will be adjusted when adding various elements such as bold, headings or links.
Below you can see a preview of your Markdown code displayed in the panel on the right.
When you’re done with your document, you can simply copy the code in the left pane and paste it wherever you want.
Stackedit.io automatically saves the files you create in your browser by default. The next time you visit Stackedit.io, your files will remain there and will be available in another small panel on the far left of the screen.
If your cache is deleted or you visit the site from another device, your files will not be available. Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem. At the top right of the screen, you can click the Stackedit icon to open a small menu.
From here, you can log into your Google Drive account and set up cloud storage. With sync enabled, your files will be automatically uploaded to your Google Drive account. You can then access your files whenever you want by simply logging into your Drive account on the Stackedit.io website.
Ultimately, we are very happy with Stackedit and what it has to offer. It has a very clean interface that throws you into action right away. Stackedit.io is a great starting point for anyone new to Markdown.
Dillinger – Master Markdown
While Stackedit.io serves as a simple editor for newbies to Markdown, Dillinger.io is ideal for those who know Markdown like the back of their hand. Dillinger has a number of tools that make it easy to import and export files, and the editor is incredibly fast.
Let’s start with an overview of Dillinger’s editing panel. As with Stackedit, your editor is on the left and the result is on the right. If you are familiar with programming, the layout will be very familiar to you.
Below is a preview of the left pane where users can directly enter their Markdown.
Then the output text will be shown on the right side.
In fact, Dillinger’s editing tools are very simple, but the tools outside of the editor deserve praise. At the top of the screen, you have four import / export tools. You can see them all below.
With these tools, it becomes very easy to import and export to popular platforms like Github, Medium, Dropbox, Google Drive and others. You can also quickly save files in HTML, markdown or PDF format.
If you want a tool that allows you to quickly write Markdown and preview the result in real time before exporting it elsewhere, Dillinger is perfect for you.
HackMD.io – for Markdown Collaboration
HackMD.io is our third and final pick on this list, and it’s perfect if you need to collaborate with others on Markdown files.
The general editing panel is very similar to Stackedit.io You have the option to write in plain text, then use the panels at the top of the editor to add bold text, links, headings, and other formatting. Alternatively, you can just write the Markdown code directly.
On the right side, you have the result. Again, everything happens in real time, so it’s very easy to keep track of errors. As you work with others on the same file, you can also add comments to the text, which is very useful for effective collaboration.
If you want to keep your files, you can simply login with Facebook, Google, Github, or a number of other platforms. After that, you can easily create new “notes” in the toolbar. Collaborating with others is as easy as sending someone a direct link to your note.
Anyone can work with you on a note, whether they’re signed in or not. You can see who is editing in the upper right corner.
HackMD also gives you the freedom to export and import files to different locations or different file formats. I have shown a screenshot of the import / export tab so you can get a general idea.
So HackMD is just as powerful as the other two Markdown editors mentioned here, but it adds live collaboration as well.
Summary
That concludes our roundup of the best free Markdown editors available on the web. I hope you found this article interesting. Do any of these three editors suit your needs?
Any questions about them? Let me know by leaving a comment and I’ll get back to you shortly. Enjoy!
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