Best Markdown Note Taking Apps in 2024

In the vast landscape of note-taking apps, I've always gravitated towards the elegant simplicity and surprising power of Markdown. As a lifelong learner and someone who juggles multiple projects, I need a tool that can keep up with my scattered thoughts, from fleeting ideas to in-depth research. Markdown, with its clean syntax and focus on content, has become my digital notebook of choice.

However, the sheer number of Markdown-enabled apps out there can be overwhelming. Each one promises a unique set of features, from cloud syncing to powerful organization tools, and it's hard to know which one will truly enhance your workflow. I've curated a list of the absolute best Markdown note-taking apps that cater to a wide range of needs and preferences. From minimalist text editors to feature-rich knowledge bases, I've got you covered.

Best markdown apps at a glance

NotePlan

If you're looking for a note-taking app that seamlessly integrates with your calendar and tasks, NotePlan might be perfect for you. You can create notes directly linked to specific days or projects, making it easier to track progress and meet deadlines. Markdown formatting keeps your notes organized and readable, while backlinking and global search help you quickly find the information you need. If you're a professional or individual who values structured task management alongside note-taking, NotePlan could become your go-to tool for productivity and organization.

Pros:

• Combines notes, tasks, and calendar events for seamless organization and planning.
• Supports various note-taking methods, including Bullet Journaling, Zettelkasten, and traditional note-taking.
• Can be tailored to fit individual workflows and preferences.
• Enables easy navigation between notes and creation of interconnected knowledge bases.
• Works without internet connection, ensuring access to notes and tasks anytime, anywhere.
• Stores data locally, prioritizing user privacy and control.
• Team collaboration for note-taking.
• Available on macOS iOS and Web for synchronized access across devices.
• Regularly updated with new features and improvements.

Cons:

• Some users might prefer a more visually appealing interface.
• Limited third-party integrations

Bear

If you're looking for a note-taking app that combines a clean, minimalist interface with powerful features, then Bear might be just what you need. Its unique hashtag-based linking system makes organizing your notes a breeze, and the variety of markup options lets you format your text to your heart's content. Plus, with easy export options and a robust search function, Bear provides everything you need to capture, organize, and share your thoughts effortlessly.

Pros:

• Clean and distraction-free design enhances focus.
• Powerful editing features with various markup options
• Hashtags and tagging systems make organizing and retrieving notes simple.
• Available on all Apple devices with seamless syncing.
• Multiple export formats (PDF, DOCX, HTML) for sharing
• Helps users concentrate by hiding unnecessary options and interface elements.

Cons:

• No web app or Windows version
• Lacks advanced features found in other note-taking apps
• Relies on iCloud for syncing (potential storage limitations)
• Does not support embedding videos or interactive content directly in notes.
• Not ideal for teams as it does not offer real-time collaboration or shared workspaces.
• Minimal integration with external apps and services compared to competitors.

Pricing:

Free plan. Paid plan starting with a $2.99/mo

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: 4.6 out of 5
• Capterra: 4.5 out of 11

Obsidian

If you're looking for a note-taking app that lets you build a network of interconnected ideas, Obsidian could be your perfect match. Its unique focus on linking notes and visualizing connections makes it easy to see how your thoughts fit together. With extensive plugin customization, you can tailor Obsidian to fit your exact needs, whether it's simple note-taking or complex project management. And thanks to its local-first approach, you have complete control over your data and privacy, while still having the option to sync and collaborate with others.

Pros:

• Focus on linking notes and building a knowledge graph
• Visualize connections between notes with graphs
• Extensive plugin customization for tailored workflows
• Local-first approach prioritizes privacy and data control
• Sync and collaboration options available (paid)
• Flexible and powerful for diverse note-taking needs

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for new users. Requires time to learn effectively.
• Requires active organization and maintenance
• Limited mobile experience compared to desktop
• Base version lacks built-in real-time collaboration features.
• Can become overwhelming with excessive plugins
• Syncing across devices is part of the paid service.

Pricing:

Free plan. Paid plan starting with $50/user/year for commercial use

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: Not Available
• Capterra: 4.9 out of 5

SuperNotes

I've found Supernotes to be an incredible tool for capturing and organizing my ideas. Its card-based system allows for quick capture of ideas and easy linking to build a hierarchical structure. You can collaborate with others in real time, making it ideal for team projects and shared knowledge bases. The intuitive interface, complete with tags, filters, and a full markdown editor, ensures a seamless experience. And with cross-platform compatibility and various export options, you can access and share your notes wherever you go. Supernotes is perfect for managing complex information and collaborating efficiently with others.

Pros:

• Card-based system for quick capture and organization
• Easy linking of notes and hierarchical structuring
• Real-time collaboration for teams and shared knowledge
• Intuitive interface with tags, filters, and markdown editor
• Cross-platform compatibility for easy access
• Export options to PDF and Markdown

Cons:

• Relatively new app with potential for further development
• Learning curve for mastering card-based system
• Limited offline functionality
• Some advanced features require paid subscription
• May not suit users who prefer traditional folder-based organization
• Does not support embedding of multimedia content like videos or interactive elements directly in cards.

Pricing: 

Free Plan. Paid plan starting with $10/mo

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: Not Available
• Capterra: Not Available

Joplin

I've found Joplin to be an incredibly powerful and secure note-taking app. It offers a simple yet powerful way to manage notes, to-do lists, and tasks with markdown formatting and the ability to include attachments and images. You can tailor the app to your liking with various plugins and themes, while the focus on end-to-end encryption and cross-platform syncing ensures your data remains secure and accessible across devices. Plus, as an open-source app, you can trust that Joplin prioritizes transparency and data privacy.

Pros:

• Open-source with focus on privacy and security
• End-to-end encryption for synced data
• Supports syncing through various cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Nextcloud.
• Cross-platform syncing via various services
• Full markdown editing with support for attachments and images
• Customizable with plugins and themes
• Free and open-source

Cons:

• Interface may appear less polished than some alternatives
• Learning curve for markdown and app features
• Limited mobile app functionality compared to desktop
• Relies on external syncing services for cross-platform access
• Not as feature-rich as some proprietary note-taking apps
• Lacks built-in real-time collaborative editing features

Pricing: 

Open Source. Starting with $2.99/mo basic plan

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: 5 out of 5
• Capterra: Not Available

Logseq

If you're looking for a privacy-focused note-taking app that helps you connect your ideas, Logseq might be the perfect tool for you. Its outlining and linking system makes it easy to structure your knowledge, while bi-directional linking creates a web of interconnected notes. You can jump between ideas and topics seamlessly, building a digital garden of your thoughts. Logseq's open-source nature allows for customization, and features like task management and journaling cater to various needs.

Pros:

• Privacy-centric with local-first storage
• Powerful outlining and bi-directional linking
• Open-source and customizable
• Supports hierarchical organization of notes, making it ideal for complex information tracking.
• Supports non-linear note-taking and idea exploration
• Features like task management, queries, and journaling
• Offers control over data with local storage
• Free to use with optional syncing solutions
• Highly customizable with plugins, themes, and user-defined scripts.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for new users
• Interface may not be as polished as some alternatives
• Limited mobile app functionality compared to desktop
• Requires active organization and linking for optimal use
• Lacks native support for real-time collaboration
• Some essential features might only be available through community-developed plugins, affecting stability and support.

Pricing: 

Open Source. Sync service in beta starting at 5$/month.

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: Not Available
• Capterra: Not Available

InkDrop

If you're a developer or technical writer seeking an efficient way to manage your notes and documentation, InkDrop could be a great fit. Its sleek interface and live markdown preview make it easy to format your work, while syntax highlighting and plugins enhance your coding experience. With strong encryption, seamless syncing, and a powerful tagging system, your data remains secure and organized across devices.

Pros:

• Sleek, user-friendly interface with live markdown preview
• Strong encryption for data security
• Seamless syncing across devices
• Powerful tagging system for organization
• Plugin support for extended functionality (e.g., syntax highlighting)
• Specifically designed for developers and technical writers

Cons:

• Subscription-based pricing model
• Primarily targeted at developers and technical writers
• Lacks features for collaborative note-taking
• Limited offline functionality
• Primarily text-based, with limited support for embedding rich media like images and videos.
• Mobile app experience could be improved
• Smaller user community compared to more popular apps

Pricing: 

Free Trial. Paid plan starting at $9.98/ mo

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: Not Available
• Capterra: Not Available

Notable

I appreciate Notable for its simple, no-nonsense approach to note-taking. Its clean interface and tag-driven organization system make it easy to keep your notes organized and accessible. You can add attachments and images directly to your notes, and the split-view editor provides a live preview of your markdown formatting as you type.

Pros:

• Clean, minimalist interface for focused note-taking
• Tag-driven organization for easy categorization and retrieval
• Supports attachments and images within notes
• Split-view editor with live markdown preview
• Free and open-source
• Operates without the need to create an account
• Accessible on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Cons:

• Does not support real-time collaborative editing
• Limited features compared to some other note-taking apps
• No built-in syncing features
• Primarily focused on individual use
• May not suit users who prefer a more visual or feature-rich experience
• Fewer options for extensions and plugins
• Primarily designed as an offline app

Pricing: 

Open Source. Completely free to use.

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: Not Available
• Capterra: Not Available

iA Writer

If you value a clean, distraction-free writing environment, iA Writer could be your ideal tool. Its minimalist design and markdown support make it easy to focus on your writing, while features like Focus Mode help you maintain concentration. You can easily export your documents to other formats, and seamless integration with iCloud and Dropbox ensures your files are accessible across devices.

Pros:

• Minimalist design for distraction-free writing
• Markdown support with easy export to other formats
• Focus Mode for enhanced concentration
• Seamless integration with iCloud and Dropbox
• Elegant interface with customizable templates
• Syntax highlighting for code and other elements

Cons:

• Lacks advanced organizational tools like tagging or linking notes
• Does not support real-time collaboration
• Limited support for embedding multimedia content such as images or videos within notes
• Lacks support for Android
• Premium features require a subscription
• Mobile app experience could be improved

Pricing: 

Free Trial. Then one time payment of $49.99

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: 4.4 out of 5
• Capterra: Not Available

MarkText

MarkText has a distraction-free interface and real-time preview capabilities allow you to focus on your writing while still having access to a wide range of features. Whether you're working on technical documents, academic papers, or creative writing, MarkText supports common markdown extensions, diagrams, formulas, and more. You can choose between typewriter mode and source code mode, and customize the look and feel of the editor with different themes.

Pros:

• Open-source and free to use
• Distraction-free interface for focused writing
• Real-time preview of markdown formatting
• Support for rich content with common markdown extensions, diagrams, formulas, etc.
• Typewriter and source code modes for different editing preferences
• Customizable themes for personalization

Cons:

• Lacks native cloud synchronization features
• Does not support real-time collaboration
• Fewer features compared to some commercial markdown editors
• No mobile app
• While minimalistic, the UI might lack intuitive navigation or advanced features.

Pricing: 

Completely free and open source

Ratings & Reviews:

• G2 Crowd: 4.4 out of 5
• Capterra: Not Available

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best way to determine the perfect note-taking app for you is to experiment with different options and see which one best suits your workflow and preferences. Many of these apps offer free trials or free versions, allowing you to explore their features and functionalities before committing. Don't hesitate to try out a few different apps to discover the one that empowers you to capture, organize, and connect your thoughts in the most effective way possible.