Markdown-focused writing and note apps for macOS. For note-taking apps see also [Notes and calendar](/macos/apps/notes-and-calendar/). ### ๐Ÿ†• New and noteworthy - **[Cogito](https://cogito.md/)** โ€” native macOS Markdown editor (free beta, requires macOS Tahoe 26+) with wiki links, `!`[[embeds]], synced source/preview scrolling, Quick Open (โŒ˜P), multi-tab support, and syntax highlighting for 20+ languages; stores plain files on disk with no proprietary database - **[Tolaria](https://tolaria.md/)** โ€” free, [open-source](https://github.com/refactoringhq/tolaria) Markdown note app for macOS with block-based editing, wikilinks, built-in Git client, and native Claude Code integration via MCP server; no account required - **[Clearly](https://clearly.md/)** โ€” native SwiftUI/AppKit Markdown editor for macOS with GitHub Flavored Markdown preview, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math, callouts, footnotes, PDF export, menubar scratchpad, and QuickLook integration; open source and free - **[Writer](https://writer.computer/)** โ€” local-first desktop Markdown editor for folders of plain-text notes; built on Tauri v2 + React + CodeMirror + Rust, respects workspace `.gitignore`, supports multiple windows, tables, and Mermaid diagrams; signed macOS releases, [open source](https://github.com/joelbqz/writer-computer) ### โญ Well known - **[Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/)** โ€” knowledge base and note editor built on a local folder of Markdown files; extensible with a large plugin ecosystem. Popular theme: **[Minimal](https://minimal.guide/)** by kepano โ€” distraction-free, highly customizable, MIT-licensed, with companion Minimal Theme Settings and Hider plugins for fine-grained control over colors, fonts, and UI - **[Logseq](https://logseq.com/)** โ€” privacy-first, open-source knowledge base with outliner-style note-taking, bi-directional links, and local-first Markdown/Org-mode storage ### ๐Ÿ“ Note centric - **[Bear](https://bear.app/)** โ€” polished Markdown editor for Mac and iOS with tags and iCloud sync - **[FSNotes](https://fsnot.es/)** โ€” fast note manager supporting GitHub Flavored Markdown, TextBundle, iCloud sync, [[wikilinks]], Mermaid, MathJax, tags, and optional Git versioning - **[Nota](https://nota.md/)** โ€” pro Markdown notes app for local files; no account or subscription required - **[Soba Notes](https://sobanotes.app/)** โ€” native macOS Markdown notes app for local files - **[Joplin](https://joplinapp.org/)** โ€” open-source note-taking app with end-to-end encryption and sync via Nextcloud, Dropbox, or WebDAV - **[Notable](https://notable.app/)** โ€” Markdown note-taking app with tags, dark theme, and multi-note editing ### โœ๏ธ Writer centric - **[iA Writer](https://ia.net/writer)** โ€” minimal writing environment with focus mode, syntax highlighting for content style, and export to Word/PDF - **[Ulysses](https://ulysses.app/)** โ€” full-featured writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone with markup-based editor, built-in grammar and style checker, iCloud sync, writing goals, and direct publishing to WordPress, Ghost, Medium and Micro.blog (subscription) - **[Typora](https://typora.io/)** โ€” WYSIWYG Markdown editor that renders formatting inline rather than showing raw syntax - **[Byword](https://bywordapp.com/)** โ€” lightweight Markdown editor with focus mode, syntax highlighting, and publishing to WordPress and Medium - **[Paper](https://papereditor.app/)** โ€” minimal macOS Markdown editor with a clean, distraction-free interface ### ๐Ÿงฐ Simple editors - **[MacDown](https://macdown.uranusjr.com/)** โ€” free and open-source split-pane Markdown editor with live preview - **[MarkText](https://github.com/marktext/marktext)** โ€” open-source WYSIWYG Markdown editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows ### ๐Ÿ‘€ Viewers Read-only Markdown apps focused on rendering rather than authoring. - **[Markdown Preview](https://markdownpreview.app/)** โ€” native, open-source (MIT) macOS reader for `.md` files (macOS 15+); document outline sidebar, Quick Look extension for Finder, Spotlight preview, hand-off to external editors (VS Code, Cursor, Zed, Sublime); no account or setup ### ๐ŸŒ Online - **[Mak](https://mak.ink/)** โ€” in-browser plain-text notepad with Markdown support; no install required ### ๐Ÿ’ป Dev centric - **[GitJournal](https://gitjournal.io/)** โ€” mobile Markdown note app with Git-backed storage; integrates with desktop editors - **[Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/markdown)** โ€” general code editor with built-in Markdown preview and extensions for enhanced editing ### ๐Ÿงช Related markup formats - **[Lessmark](https://lessmark.org/)** โ€” strict Markdown alternative with explicit `@quote`/`@list`/`@separator` directives, no raw HTML/JSX, deterministic parsing; npm + PyPI parsers and a [VS Code extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=JasperDevs.lessmark-vscode)