Dev tools · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to Downit
A super simple markdown editor
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Downit launched in 2019; newer entries below may have overtaken it.
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Inspired by the design and UI/UX of apps like Notion, and utility of open-source apps like StackEdit, I decided to create a minimalistic, local-only WYSIWYG Markdown editor. Some features worth highlighting: - Monaco editor and Prettier integration for code snippets - Tables (apparently the holy grail of WYSIWYG editing) - Embeds (for CodePen, CodeSandbox and YouTube, most useful for HTML or JSON exports) - Accepts Markdown paste-in, and "exports"/generates HTML, Markdown and JSON outputs - Collaboration (with real-time awareness and initial commenting system, available only when…
2023 · editor.vrite.io · its alternatives →
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OpenMarkdown▲189A feather-light, local-first Markdown editor built for you and your agent.
Jul 2026 · openmarkdown.dev · its alternatives →
- 4OA
Hi HN! I got so frustrated with modern WYSIWYG editors that I started to play around with building my own. The problem I had was simple: I wanted a low-tech way to type styled text, but I didn't want to load a complex 500KB library, especially if I was going to initialize it dozens of times on the same page. Markdown in a plain was the best alternative to a full WYSIWYG, but its main drawback is how ugly it looks without any formatting. I can handle it, but my clients certainly can't. I went down the ContentEditable rabbit hole for a few years, but always came to realize others had solved it…
2025 · its alternatives →
- 5AD
2012 · pencil.asleepysamurai.com · its alternatives →
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A clean Markdown editor with a smooth, block-based UX
Apr 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →
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Markdown Editor▲126Clean, modern & open-source WYSIWYG markdown editor
2019 · mdown.vercel.app · its alternatives →
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Markdown Studio▲126Markdown editor built for the AI workflow era
Dec 2025 · mdstudio.app · its alternatives →
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1Writer▲83Beautiful & easy to use Markdown editor w/ powerful features
2014 · 1writerapp.com · its alternatives →
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MacDown▲115Open source Markdown editor for OS X influenced by Mou.
2014 · macdown.uranusjr.com · its alternatives →
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- 14Copy as Markdown▲302
Convert text to markdown for LLMs like ChatGPT
2025 · copyasmarkdown.com · its alternatives →
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Macdown▲87Open source Markdown editor for macOS. Contribute to MacDownApp/macdown development by creating an account on GitHub.
2014 · github.com · its alternatives →
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- 18LF
I'm not the author of the app (nor i have any connection with them, just a random user). iA Writer and Writer Pro aren't well suited for me as a developer. They feel quite "strange" to me. Mou is a good option (free too) but still missing some features. So far this, this editor is the most complete user-friendly. Hope it helps!
2013 · clockworkengine.com · its alternatives →
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Scroll is a language for scientists of all ages. Scroll includes a command line app that builds static blogs, websites, CSVs, text files, and more. - breck7/scroll
2021 · github.com · its alternatives →
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Free markdown viewer and editor that runs entirely in your browser. Drag & drop a .md file to read it beautifully rendered, edit it, and save it back — nothing is ever uploaded.
Aug 2026 · kingsbridge-consultancy.com · its alternatives →
- 22MU
2015 · jjuliano.github.io · its alternatives →
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Typed▲104New Markdown Editor for Mac by Realmac Software (pre-launch)
2014 · realmacsoftware.com · its alternatives →
- 24
A simple React markdown editor with preview
2021 · github.com · its alternatives →
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →