Best Markdown Editors for macOS and iOS: Clean Writing Apps with Markdown Support

If you write texts and publish them online, you've probably noticed that converting content to HTML isn't always convenient—it typically requires external software on top of your text editor.

Markdown syntax simplifies working with text and makes document structure more visual. This format excels in web publishing with its straightforward syntax. A Markdown text doesn't demand much from your working environment and can be created even in Notepad.

This guide focuses on Markdown editors for macOS and iOS—platforms favored by writers, bloggers, technical authors, and developers. We've evaluated editors based on distraction-free writing capabilities, table editing support, export flexibility, cloud synchronization, and extensibility through plugins. Whether you're drafting blog posts, writing documentation, managing long-form projects, or taking quick notes, you'll find recommendations with clear guidance on when to use each tool.

Quick Choice: Which Markdown Editor for Mac Should You Pick?

For long-form writing and books → Ulysses or iA Writer offer robust project management and focus modes

For technical notes and code snippets → Inkdrop combines IDE-like features with Markdown simplicity

For working heavily with tables → TableFlip as a companion to your main editor makes table editing visual and painless

For minimal note-taking across Mac and iOS → Tot provides seven color-coded notes with seamless iCloud sync

For power-user workflows with extensive export options → MWeb Pro covers everything from blogging to ePub creation

For distraction-free writing with direct blog publishing → Byword balances minimalism with practical publishing features

Comparison Table: Markdown Editors at a Glance

MWeb Pro – All You Need for Markdown Writing

MWeb Pro has been refined over years of development and assembles essential tools for Markdown editing on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. The editor serves bloggers, documentation writers, and technical authors who need comprehensive Markdown support without juggling multiple applications.

Beyond standard Markdown, MWeb Pro supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) along with extensions for TOC, LaTeX, footnotes, and advanced table formatting. Files export to local formats including Image, HTML, ePub, PDF, RTF, or Docx. You can customize document appearance by adding CSS files alongside your Markdown.

Essential editing features include auto-save protection against data loss, auto-completion for faster writing, spell checking, full-text search, and version history for tracking changes. For many users, MWeb Pro's feature set covers most writing and publishing needs without requiring additional tools.

The macOS version maintains a clean, user-friendly interface. If the default font or background color doesn't suit your preferences, both can be modified through CSS using the Custom Preview Style feature.

Best for: Writers who need comprehensive export options and don't want to switch between multiple tools. Ideal for bloggers, technical documentation, and anyone publishing across different formats.

I use Markdown for writing, making notes and pretty much everything when I need to get some thoughts out of my head and onto the screen. - Phil Hawksworth

Almost everything I write involves Markdown, I love it. - Zeno Rocha

Ulysses – Easy Project Work and Great Features

Ulysses distinguishes itself among macOS Markdown editors through sophisticated project management capabilities. The app excels when you're juggling multiple documents, organizing book chapters, or managing content that needs careful structure.

Key scenarios where Ulysses shines:

• Draft documents scattered across different locations need consolidation
• Working with several documents simultaneously requires easy switching
• Book writing demands organization into chapters and sections

Ulysses helps you arrange files in sections and apply tags for flexible organization. The library stores all your files with cloud synchronization across iOS and macOS devices. Finding specific content is straightforward with filters and comprehensive search.

The editor emphasizes focus during writing. Full-screen mode eliminates distractions, while header highlighting and Typewriter Mode (similar to Byword) keep attention on your current work. Extended Markdown support enables footnotes, images, links, and tables within documents.

Customization matches personal preferences: select fonts, apply custom themes, and adjust color palettes from built-in options. These visual settings help create a comfortable writing environment that suits your style.

Publishing and export features cover common needs: direct publishing to Medium and WordPress, plus local exports in TXT, HTML, PDF, ePub, and Docx formats.

Best for: Long-form writers, novelists, and content creators managing multiple drafts or book-length projects. Particularly suited for authors who need robust organization alongside focused writing tools.

TableFlip - Indispensable App for Markdown Table Editing

Markdown syntax handles text elegantly, but tables present challenges—especially when dealing with numerous or complex tables. Manual cell and row addition in plain Markdown quickly becomes tedious.

TableFlip transforms Markdown table editing into a visual experience similar to Excel or Numbers. The auto-growing tables feature handles cell creation automatically as you work, eliminating manual syntax formatting.

The toolbar provides essential table manipulation:

• Add row or column before/after current position
• Delete rows or columns
• Align content to center, left, or right
• Additional formatting options

Export your finished tables in convenient formats: Markdown (ready to paste into your editor), CSV (for spreadsheet applications), or LaTeX (for academic publishing).

TableFlip particularly benefits users converting tables from CSV files or Google Sheets into Markdown format—a task that other Markdown editors handle poorly or not at all. Available for recent versions of macOS, with a free trial available.

Best for: Anyone working extensively with tabular data in Markdown. Essential companion tool for technical writers, data journalists, and documentation authors who regularly format tables.

Tot - Handy Text Note Editor for Mac and iOS

Tot offers a unique approach to text editing for macOS and iOS, handling RTF, Markdown, and plain text notes with equal ease. The app provides exactly seven documents, each distinguished by a different color, that you can work with simultaneously. Switching between notes and changing formats for editing or export happens instantly.

iCloud synchronization deserves particular attention. Once configured, backups happen automatically without conscious effort. Synchronization enables seamless work across your Apple devices—changes made on your MacBook appear immediately on your iPhone and iPad.

Each of the seven documents maintains unique settings: its own design, format preferences, panel configuration, and document statistics. This consistency creates strong visual associations, helping you instantly recognize which note contains what content. Settings persist across sessions—opening and closing Tot preserves all your preferences.

Format flexibility covers Markdown, RTF, and TXT, with quick switching between them for optimal readability or specific export requirements. Visual preview for notes proves especially valuable with Markdown. Formatting preservation works reliably when copying between documents or importing text from external sources.

Additional conveniences include special character insertion (accessible via keyboard), flexible keyboard shortcut configuration, smart bullets for creating todo lists, and home screen summaries that position Tot as a complete task manager and organizer.

The macOS version is free. The iOS app (Tot Pocket) requires a one-time purchase—check the App Store for current pricing.

Best for: Users who want ultra-minimal note management with strong visual organization. Ideal for quick capture, todo management, and maintaining a small set of active documents without complexity.

Byword – Cloud Synchronization and Export to Blogs

Byword provides straightforward Markdown editing with support for footnotes, tables, and cross-references on macOS. The app balances minimalist design with practical publishing features.

Distraction-free mode stands out as Byword's signature feature. The View menu activates Paragraph Focus, Line Focus, and Typewriter mode options. The minimalist design naturally avoids pulling attention away from your writing. Unlike more rigid minimalist editors, Byword allows background color changes (light or dark themes) and font selection to match your preferences.

Standard text manipulation functions come with convenient hotkeys. Byword offers syntax auto-completion at appropriate moments—helpful without becoming intrusive. The Editor Menu provides additional phrase insertion options when needed.

Export covers common formats: PDF, HTML, RTF, Word, and LaTeX. Preview documents before saving by pressing Option + CMD + P.

Web publishing integration proves particularly useful—the Publish button enables direct posting to platforms. Link your Byword account to Medium, Tumblr, Blogger, and Evernote for streamlined publishing workflows.

Best for: Writers who appreciate minimalism but need practical publishing tools. Particularly suited for bloggers and journalists who write in Markdown and publish to multiple platforms.

On the Mac and iOS, I mainly use Byword for first drafts and blog posts. I've used it for a long time and it does just what I need. - Patrick Rhone

I write a lot and when I can, I write in Markdown, mostly in Byword, and export it where and how I need with Marked. - Andy Polaine

iA Writer – Focused Writing and Library Management

iA Writer runs on iOS, macOS, and Android, supporting MultiMarkdown's extended syntax—more than sufficient for formatting and preparing texts for online publishing.

The app provides robust tools for organizing your document library, proving especially valuable for project management and book writing. Key organizational features include:

• User-friendly Document Library for storing and browsing documents
• Content Blocks function for inserting images and adding sections directly into Markdown text
• Patterns (customizable templates and syntax highlighting filters) that optimize specific writing workflows
• Focus Mode to highlight current sentence or paragraph

Synchronization across multiple devices relies on Dropbox and Google Drive, both offering secure backup and version rollback capabilities. This ensures you can recover previous document versions if needed.

Publishing features support three essential export formats: HTML, Word Docx, and PDF. Direct crossposting to content management systems or Medium streamlines publication workflows.

Best for: Writers who value strong document organization alongside focused writing tools. Particularly effective for authors managing multiple projects, technical writers with extensive documentation, and anyone who needs reliable cross-platform access.

For writing I use iA Writer to create a first draft of my article. If I'm writing the article all alone I stay there. - Anselm Hannemann

Inkdrop - Markdown Editor for Coders and Writers

Inkdrop is a cross-platform Markdown editor available for desktop platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux) and mobile devices (iOS and Android). A free trial period lets you explore the app before committing to a subscription.

Developers and coders will recognize familiar IDE features: code syntax highlighting, multiple cursor support, and line numbers. Inkdrop incorporates the best aspects of code editors like Sublime Text or Atom while maintaining Markdown simplicity.

Writers and journalists benefit from focus mode, complete offline access, and robust file organization. The app excels at exporting and importing in various formats, including direct Evernote note imports for users migrating from other systems.

Data storage offers flexibility—you can use cloud synchronization or host on your own CouchDB server for complete data control.

Extensibility through plugins represents Inkdrop's standout feature. Over 100 published plugins enable creating charts, graphs, and tables; maintaining writing statistics; and transforming the editor into a full IDE for programmers. The plugin ecosystem continues growing with community contributions.

Beyond plugins, numerous themes customize the visual experience. Advanced users can modify UI elements through CSS styling, adjusting any design element or font to personal preferences.

Best for: Technical writers, developers, and power users who want Markdown editing with IDE-like capabilities. Ideal for anyone who values extensibility and wants to customize their editor extensively.

Inkdrop combines versatility with extensive customization, functioning effectively both on desktop and mobile devices.

How to Choose the Right Markdown Editor on macOS

Selecting the ideal Markdown editor depends on matching features to your specific writing workflow. Follow these steps to find your best fit:

1. Define Your Main Use Case

Identify your primary writing activity:

• Blogging: MWeb Pro, Byword (direct publishing), Ulysses
• Technical documentation: MWeb Pro, Inkdrop (code features)
• Book writing: Ulysses (project management), iA Writer (organization)
• Quick notes: Tot (minimal, 7-note system)
• Code documentation: Inkdrop (IDE features, syntax highlighting)

2. Evaluate Cross-Platform Requirements

Determine your device ecosystem needs:

• Apple-only (Mac + iPhone/iPad): Ulysses, Tot, Byword offer excellent iCloud integration
• Cross-platform (Mac + Windows/Android): iA Writer, Inkdrop provide broader device support
• Web access needed: Consider editors with web interfaces or robust cloud sync

3. Assess Export and Publishing Needs

Match export capabilities to your publishing workflow:

• Basic HTML/PDF: Nearly all editors cover these essentials
• Multiple formats (ePub, Docx, LaTeX): MWeb Pro, Ulysses, Byword
• Direct blog publishing: Ulysses (Medium, WordPress), Byword (multiple platforms)
• Academic writing: MWeb Pro and Byword support LaTeX export

4. Balance Focus Features vs. Power Tools

Consider your working style preference:

• Distraction-free minimalism: Tot, Byword, iA Writer emphasize clean interfaces
• Feature-rich environments: MWeb Pro, Ulysses, Inkdrop provide extensive toolsets
• IDE-like coding features: Inkdrop offers multi-cursor, syntax highlighting, plugins

5. Handle Table Editing Requirements

If you work extensively with tables:

• Add TableFlip as a companion tool to any Markdown editor—it transforms table editing from frustrating syntax to visual simplicity
• Alternatively, choose MWeb Pro which includes better native table support than most editors

6. Test Before Committing

Practical evaluation beats feature comparisons:

• Download 2-3 editors that match your criteria
• Write actual content for a week in each editor
• Pay attention to friction points and workflow interruptions
• Many users maintain one primary editor plus a specialized helper app (like TableFlip for tables)

Most Markdown editors offer free trials or lite versions—take advantage of these to find your ideal writing environment before purchasing.