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The Best Markdown Editors for iOS

Dec 3, 2022

The Best Markdown Editors for iOS

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Web Development

Markdown is a quick and efficient solution to write for the Web. It uses easy-to-read markup and plain text files. It comes with a low learning curve, no lock-in, and matches well with the simplicity of iOS and iPadOS.

The syntax was created by John Gruber in 2004 and offers quite a few advantages to writers and bloggers. To make use of it, you simply need a plain-text editor, but an app designed for writing in Markdown offers significant advantages. These may include syntax highlighting, a preview pane, export and publishing features, a document library, and distraction-free writing.

There are many Markdown editors for macOS, Windows, and Linux. There’s just as much variety on Apple’s mobile platforms.

Let’s explore your options.

7 File-based Markdown Editors

Listed here are seven applications that permit you’re employed with one Markdown file at a time.

1. Byword

  • Cost: $5.99
  • Other Platforms: macOS

Markdown app for writing in plain text efficiently.

Byword strikes a great balance between functionality and ease. It’s a minimalistic app that provides barely enough features that they don’t turn out to be a distraction. Subtle syntax highlighting is obtainable, as are keyboard shortcuts and autocomplete.

It’s attractive, inexpensive, and frictionless. It’s popular with those that value simplicity when writing.

2. iA Author

  • Cost: $29.99
  • Other Platforms: macOS, Windows, Android

Get focused. iA Author offers a novel writing experience that permits you to concentrate and make clear your message.

iA Author is a distraction-free Markdown editor that places the give attention to your content. It offers more features than Byword, and a bit of less simplicity.

Focus mode fades surrounding lines of text to emphasise what you’re typing. A light-weight gray background, monospaced font, and blue cursor are used.

Unlike Byword, iA Author supports images, tables, and content blocks. A variety of popular cloud storage solutions are supported.

Screenshot of iA Writer

3. Drafts 5

  • Cost: free download, subscription from $2.99/month
  • Other Platforms: macOS

Where text starts.

Drafts 5 is the last word capture tool: an inbox for text and Markdown content that could be routed to other apps through powerful actions. Each entry could be tagged, flagged, and archived as needed.

Basic Markdown syntax highlighting is obtainable, as is a preview pane. It’s a highly customizable solution to compose in Markdown.

Screenshot of Drafts 5

4. Editorial

  • Cost: $4.99
  • Other Platforms: n/a

Desktop-class plain text productivity on iOS.

Editorial is a strong text editor for iOS that provides excellent Markdown support. It also supports Fountain, a markup language for screenwriters, and TaskPaper’s format for plain text to-do lists.

Like Drafts, it’s highly configurable and offers strong automation features. Document templates, workflow automation, smart snippets, and Python scripting allow you to make the app your individual. Basic syntax highlighting is accessible, and you’ll be able to preview your document by swiping to the left.

Screenshot of Editorial

5. Taio

  • Cost: free download, Pro from $1.49/month
  • Other Platforms: n/a

Text all in One.

Taio is one other Markdown editor that permits you to create powerful workflows. Its Actions allow you to access each the clipboard and editor to expand what the app is able to. It also offers full support for the expanded syntax of each CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown.

The app supports multiple tabs, templates, diagrams, app integrations, and iCloud sync. A macOS version is within the works.

Screenshot of Taio

6. GTW

  • Cost: $5.99
  • Other Platforms: n/a

Markdown and plain text editor for iOS.

GTW (Gogo’s Type Author) is a text and Markdown editor that’s optimized for speed. It supports local files in addition to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, FTP, and SFTP/SSH.

It offers syntax highlighting, a Markdown preview pane, snippets, themes, and the power to open entire folders from the Files app. Search and replace supports Regex and you’ll be able to edit files directly in your server.

Screenshot of GTW

7. Coming Soon: Whiskey

  • Cost: Pricing has not been announced
  • Other Platforms: macOS

A contemporary Markdown app from Nothing Magical for Mac and iOS.

Whiskey is under energetic development and a beta version is accessible for macOS. Its interface is minimal and it looks promising. I’m keeping my eye on it.

7 Library-based Markdown Editors

Listed here are seven applications that manage a complete library of Markdown files which can be stored either within the file system or a database.

1. Ulysses

  • Cost: free download, subscription from $9.99/month
  • Other Platforms: macOS

The last word writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Ulysses is a full-featured Markdown app for writers. Its minimal interface removes distractions and helps you give attention to the duty of writing. Useful tools equivalent to word count and writing goals are there once you need them.

All of your documents are stored in a single database and could be exported in a wide selection of formats. You too can publish on to WordPress, Medium, Ghost, and Micro.blog.

Screenshot of Ulysses

2. Bear

  • Cost: free download, subscription from $1.49/month
  • Other Platforms: macOS

Bear is a phenomenal, flexible writing app for crafting notes and prose.

Bear is a Markdown-based note-taking app and writing environment. By default it uses non-standard markup, but a Markdown compatibility mode is accessible.

Like Ulysses, it stores your entire notes in a single database, eliminates distractions, and helps you give attention to what you’re writing. Tags are added through the use of hashtags throughout the document, and also you’re shown a wealthy preview of your formatting as you type.

Screenshot of Bear

3. MWeb

  • Cost: free download, $8.99 in-app purchase
  • Other Platforms: macOS

Pro Markdown writing, note taking and static blog generator App.

MWeb is a tab-based Markdown editor that uses GitHub Flavored Markdown. You may export your documents, generate a static blog, or publish on to WordPress, Metaweblog, Blogger, Medium, Tumblr, and Evernote.

Syntax highlighting and a live preview are offered, and pictures could be added via drag and drop. The document library supports categories and tags, and external Markdown documents could be accessed.

Screenshot of MWeb

4. Joplin

  • Cost: free and open-source (MIT License)
  • Other Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android

An open-source note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities.

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do list application. It’s an alternative choice to Evernote and might import your Evernote library.

Notes are in Markdown format and could be synchronized between your devices with end-to-end encryption via quite a few popular cloud services.

Screenshot of Joplin

5. 1Writer

  • Cost: $4.99
  • Other Platforms: n/a

Powerful, beautiful Markdown editor for iOS

1Writer is an inexpensive alternative to Ulysses. It combines basic Markdown editing with distraction-free writing and researching tools.

Inline Markdown preview and word count are offered, and you’ll be able to optionally protect your notes with a passcode or Face/Touch ID. You may create powerful custom actions using a URL scheme or JavaScript.

Screenshot of 1Writer

6. Inkdrop

  • Cost: free download, subscription from $4.16/month
  • Other Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android

Organizing your Markdown notes made easy.

Inkdrop is a full-featured GitHub Flavored Markdown library that’s synced between your devices and comes with 10 GB of online storage. It’s a robust alternative to Ulysses for non-writers.

It’s a great fit for developers. Line numbers are displayed, Vim, Emacs and Sublime Text key bindings are supported, and math notation, flowcharts and sequence diagrams could be created.

Screenshot of Inkdrop

7. Obsidian

  • Cost: Free with additional paid services
  • Other Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux

A second brain, for you, eternally.

Obsidian is a strong knowledge base that works on top of an area folder of plain text Markdown files. Links and backlinks let you create a frictionless network of connections.

You should use Obsidian on desktop platforms with various options for synchronization

Learn more in my detailed guide to Obsidian. There are apps available for iOS and Android, and various sync options to assist you work cross-platform.

Obsidian note-taking app running on a tablet

What Is the Best Markdown Editor for You?

The iOS Markdown ecosystem is wealthy and varied. With so many apps available, which is the suitable one for you? That is determined by your priorities, and what you’ll be using the app for.

Listed here are some recommendations:

  • For those who’re in search of a high quality text editor with strong Markdown support, consider Editorial.
  • If automation and custom workflows are your thing, consider Drafts 5, Editorial, Taio, or 1Writer.
  • If you would like to edit Markdown files in your server, GTW is a great alternative.
  • If you would like to create a private knowledge base using Markdown, consider Bear, Joplin, and Obsidian.
  • For those who’re a author or blogger in search of a full-featured writing environment, select Ulysses, Bear, or 1Writer.
  • For those who want the power to publish on to your blog, consider Ulysses or MWeb.
  • For those who prefer an affordable, lightweight editor, Byword and iA Author are excellent options.
  • These apps also run on macOS: Byword, iA Author, Drafts 5, Ulysses, Bear, MWeb, Joplin, and Inkdrop.
  • These apps also run on Windows: iA Author, Joplin, and Inkdrop.