10 Free Online Markdown Editors

Posted: 26 Nov 2014 02:00 AM PST

Markdown is a syntax designed specifically for easier web writing. In this post, you’ll find the best free online Markdown editors.

1. StackEdit

StackEdit

StackEdit is a free online Markdown editor loaded with useful features. It has a visual tool bar for formatting (bold, emphasis, lists, etc.). It can sync with cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive, and import files from a URL or your computer’s hard drive. A nifty helper feature of this Markdown editor is it can convert HTML to Markdown.

2. Dillinger

Dillinger

Dillinger has a clean user interface that will help you compose Markdown text easier. This online Markdown editor links up with four web services: Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, and even GitHub. You can export your text to HTML, styled HTML, Markdown (.md), and PDF. It has a "distraction-free" mode which hides everything except your Markdown text so you can focus on writing.

3. Markable

Markable

Markable is a basic online Markdown editor. All it has (unless you create an account on their site to access more features) is the ability to preview your Markdown-formatted text and an option to download your work as either an HTML or Markdown (.md) file.

4. Online Markdown Editor

Online Markdown Editor

This barebones web-based Markdown editor gives you a live visual preview of your Markdown text as well as its HTML-markup equivalent.

5. Markdown Journal

Markdown Journal

Markdown Journal is a very simple online text editor that syncs with Dropbox. To be able to use it, you will have to give it access to its own Dropbox folder.

6. Dingus

Dingus

Dingus is a relatively old and extremely simple Markdown online editor. What makes this tool special is it’s by Daring Fireball (John Gruber), the creator of Markdown. Don’t quote me on this because I’m not sure, but this might very well be the first online Markdown editor.

7. Markdown-Editor

Markdown-Editor

Markdown-Editor is a minimalist Markdown editor that can also handle the GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) variant. It syncs with Google Drive.

8. (GitHub-Flavored) Markdown Editor

(GitHub-Flavored) Markdown Editor

This is another option if you want to compose GitHub Flavored Markdown. It doesn’t have cloud storage syncing capabilities, but it has a visual preview pane so you can see the results of your Markdown formatting.

9. Writebox

Writebox

Writebox is a distraction-free text editor that supports Markdown. When you start writing, it hides everything except your text. This online text editor can sync with Dropbox and Google Drive, has a few keyboard shortcuts, and allows you to download your text in HTML or .txt format.

10. wri.pe

wri.pe

wri.pe is a simple web-based notepad that supports Markdown. You can back up your notes in Dropbox or Evernote.

Conclusion

There are a lot of free online Markdown editors out there. However, two of them truly stood out to me: StackEdit and Dillinger. Both of these online Markdown editors have the features needed for practical writing, and that’s why they get my vote.

If you work on a lot of GitHub projects, Markdown-Editor and (GitHub-Flavored) Markdown Editor can make writing your docs and README.md a bit easier.

Markdown Learning Resources

Markdown is an excellent syntax for Web writers. It’s simple, intuitive, not cumbersome like HTML, and designed specifically for composing text that will eventually find its way on the Web.

Check out these resources if you would like to learn Markdown: