nowfound

Commerce · May 25, 2011

BF

Byword for Mac, a simple text editor with Markdown support

Byword 1.2 added Markdown editing, previewing and exporting to HTML. While version 1.0 was positioned as a distraction-free/minimalist text editor, we now feel the need to detract a bit from that space. We are currently investing a lot more in the efficiency and needs of web writers, listening carefully and working hard to put out new updates (3 Mac App Store updates in less than 2 months--not recommended). If you feel like trying the app, we are specifically looking for feedback on what Byword can do to help creative/web writers. There's a free trial for download at http://bywordapp.com…

Byword for Mac, a simple text editor with Markdown support launched on May 25, 2011 with 14 votes, #46 of 217 launches that month and more than 75% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 15 years on.

Visit bywordapp.com ↗Alternativestop 21% of May 2011

In plain words

Byword is a text editor for Mac designed for writers working with Markdown. It offers syntax highlighting, word counters, and keyboard shortcuts for formatting, along with preview and export options to HTML, PDF, or directly to publishing platforms like WordPress and Medium. Documents sync across Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch via iCloud and Dropbox, allowing users to write and edit from any device.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

Byword is simple and efficient text editor for Markdown.

Draft a blog post, write that story or complete a school report wherever you are. Use Markdown to format text with easy keyboard shortcuts, subtle syntax highlighting, word counters with live update, and much more. All your documents, on all your devices. With iCloud and Dropbox, you can create documents in Byword on your Mac and access them on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. And vice versa. You can edit them from anywhere, on any device you use. Byword includes complete Markdown support. Preview your documents in app, export to HTML, PDF, rich text, or publish directly to Medium, WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr andfrom bywordapp.com

In the maker’s words, at launch

Byword 1.2 added Markdown editing, previewing and exporting to HTML. While version 1.0 was positioned as a distraction-free/minimalist text editor, we now feel the need to detract a bit from that space. We are currently investing a lot more in the efficiency and needs of web writers, listening carefully and working…

Does a similar job

all alternatives →
  • Byword2017 · bywordapp.com · ▲103

    Markdown app for writing in plain text efficiently

  • Cleartext2016 · github.com · ▲307

    A text editor that allows only the 1,000 most common words

  • Typed2014 · realmacsoftware.com · ▲256

    The stunning markdown and writing app for Mac

  • LF
    LightPaper for Mac – Free Markdown editor2013 · clockworkengine.com · ▲132

    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!

  • Typewriter for Markdown2021 · eightysix.github.io · ▲67

    iOS and macOS native markdown editor with live preview

  • GrammarPaw 2025 · apps.apple.com · ▲261

    AI writing assistant for Mac

Source: Show HN post ↗ · launch text quoted in part

Launched alongside, May 2011

the whole month →