What is MarkText?
If Typora is the gold standard for Markdown editors, MarkText is its most powerful open-source challenger. Since Typora transitioned to a paid model, MarkText has become the go-to choice for writers and developers who value Software Freedom and a high-quality WYSIWYG (What You See Is You Get) experience.
Key Features
- Real-time Preview: Like Typora, MarkText hides the Markdown syntax as you type, providing a clean, distraction-free visual experience.
- Completely Free & Open Source: Licensed under MIT, it’s 100% free forever with no hidden costs or subscriptions.
- Multiple Writing Modes:
- Focus Mode: Dim everything except the paragraph you are currently editing.
- Typewriter Mode: Keep your cursor centered on the screen.
- Source Code Mode: For those who need to tweak the raw Markdown.
- Rich Extension Support: Built-in support for KaTeX math formulas, Mermaid diagrams, and emoji pickers.
- Image Management: Supports pasting images directly from the clipboard and integrating with cloud image hosts.
MarkText vs. Typora: The Comparison
| Feature | Typora | MarkText |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 (One-time) | Free & Open Source |
| Performance | Extremely smooth | Good (Slightly heavier Electron app) |
| Interface | Multi-language | English Only |
| Philosophy | Commercial Software | Purely Community Driven |
SoftStash Verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For users who love the Typora workflow but prefer free and clean tools, MarkText is the ultimate replacement. It aligns perfectly with the SoftStash mission: providing essential, high-performance software without the bloat or the price tag.