Best Markdown note taking apps
Apps that store your notes as Markdown or plain text files on disk, so any editor can open them and you can sync or version them with tools you already use. Apps that only import or export Markdown are not included.
5 apps. 3 free or with a free plan, 2 open source, 5 store notes as Markdown files. Facts checked on vendor sites between 2026-11-12 and the latest update in 2026.
Quick picks by need
- Notes as Markdown files you own: Obsidian, free for personal use, notes stay as plain Markdown files in a folder, large plugin ecosystem.
- Outliner and daily journal: Logseq, open source (AGPL-3.0), local Markdown or Org-mode files.
- Focused long-form writing: iA Writer, one-time purchase, plain text files.
- Academic writing with citations: Zettlr, open source (GPL-3.0), Markdown files on disk, free.
- Clean Markdown editing on the desktop: Typora, live inline preview, Markdown files on disk, one-time license.
Compare all 5
| App | Price | Free option | License | Platforms | Notes stored as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Free for personal use | Free without limits for personal use, no sign-up required | Proprietary, free for personal use | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Plain Markdown files on your device |
| Logseq | Free | The app is free; the vendor describes it as privacy-first and open source | Open source (AGPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Local Markdown or Org-mode files (outline format) |
| Typora | $14.99 per license | 15 day free trial on up to 3 devices | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux | Markdown files on disk |
| iA Writer | One-time: $49.99 Mac, $39.99 Windows, $49.99 iPhone and iPad | 7 day trial on Mac and Windows, no credit card needed | Proprietary | macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS | Plain text files |
| Zettlr | Free | Free to download and use | Open source (GPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Markdown files on disk |
Each app in one paragraph
Obsidian
Local-first notes in a folder of Markdown files, with optional paid sync and publishing. Price: Free for personal use.
Good: Your notes are ordinary Markdown files in a folder, so any other editor can open them. Large plugin and theme ecosystem.
Watch out: The app itself is not open source.
Logseq
Open source outliner for linked notes and daily journals, with local storage. Price: Free.
Good: Open source with a public codebase you can read. Outliner first: every bullet can be linked and referenced.
Watch out: Outline format means exported Markdown is a nested bullet list.
Typora
Distraction-free Markdown editor with live inline preview, sold as a one-time license. Price: $14.99 per license.
Good: Live preview where you edit rendered text directly. Tables, code fences, MathJax math, Mermaid and other diagrams.
Watch out: Proprietary and paid after the trial.
iA Writer
Focused writing app for long-form text, sold per platform with no subscription. Price: One-time: $49.99 Mac, $39.99 Windows, $49.99 iPhone and iPad.
Good: Writing-focused interface for long documents. One-time price with no subscription.
Watch out: No Linux or Android app.
iA Writer pricing · iA Writer alternatives · official site ↗
Zettlr
Open source Markdown editor aimed at academic writing, citations and note linking. Price: Free.
Good: Citation and reference manager support for academic work. Open source with a public codebase.
Watch out: Desktop only, no iOS or Android app.
What is the best Markdown note taking app?
It depends on what you need. Notes as Markdown files you own: Obsidian (free for personal use, notes stay as plain Markdown files in a folder, large plugin ecosystem). Outliner and daily journal: Logseq (open source (AGPL-3.0), local Markdown or Org-mode files). Focused long-form writing: iA Writer (one-time purchase, plain text files). Academic writing with citations: Zettlr (open source (GPL-3.0), Markdown files on disk, free).
Which of these note apps are free?
Obsidian, Logseq and Zettlr can be used at no cost, either as a free app or on a free plan.
Which of these note apps are open source?
Logseq and Zettlr are open source. The others are not open source, even when they are free to use.
Which note apps store notes as Markdown files?
Obsidian, Logseq, Typora, iA Writer and Zettlr keep notes as Markdown or plain text files on disk, so other editors can open them.
How this list is made
Every price, license and platform here comes from the vendor's own website, its app store listing or its source repository, and each profile shows the date it was checked. We do not take payment for placement, and the order of the table is not a ranking. Apps that only import or export Markdown are not counted as storing Markdown files. For the storage question in more depth, read which notes apps keep your notes as Markdown files.
Markdown Tools is not affiliated with any app on this page. 16 apps are tracked in the directory.