The 19 Best WYSIWYG Markdown Editors for Your Team in 2023

If you’re new to the software world, WYSIWYG may look like a nonsense jumble of letters. But those in the know use WYSIWYG style Markdown editors to build webpages regularly.

WYSIWYG stands for “what you see is what you get” and is a different experience from manual coding. Hand coding involves writing HTML, loading your code into a browser, then viewing the rendered page. WYSIWYG editors don’t require a separate browser. You can view rendered pages much faster.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into WYSIWYG Markdown editors. We’ll also share common platforms so you can find the right one for your team. Let’s dive in.

• What is a WYSIWYG Markdown editor?

• The Benefits of WYSIWYG Markdown Editors

• The 19 Best WYSIWYG Markdown Editors of 2023

WYSIWYG seems like an intense acronym, but it really just stands for “what you see is what you get.” So what does Markdown mean? Markdown is a type of computer language designed to be lightweight. It uses simple text formatting syntax (the input) to create richly formatted text (the output).

Markdown syntax is designed to be easy to read and write. This makes it a popular choice for writing documentation and blog posts.

When using a WYSIWYG Markdown editor, you’ll type your text in Markdown syntax and see the formatted output displayed in real-time. By using a WYSIWYG Markdown editor, users can create well-formatted content quickly and easily.
Next, we’ll discuss the benefits of using a WYSIWYG Markdown editor.

The Benefits of WYSIWYG Markdown Editors

If you’ve ever coded by hand, you know it’s a lengthy process. If you don’t have your front-end languages memorized, you’ll find yourself googling every little thing.

WYSIWYG Markdown editors are designed for simplicity. You don’t even need coding experience to get started. You no longer need to know HTML or CSS to build a beautiful page. This low barrier to entry has allowed these editors to grow in popularity.

WYSIWYG Markdown editors can also improve collaboration across your team. They can be used on any platform, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. No matter your team’s preferences, you can work together on the same project.

Additionally, many WYSIWYG Markdown editors include helpful features to make web production easy. That includes the following:

• Live previewing that allows you to instantly see your updates on the interface.

• Highlighted syntax that helps you easily read your inputs.

• Custom themes that give you a strong foundation for your web page.

• Collaborative editing that lets you work with other members of your team.

• Version control that can help you test new aspects of your site without the risk of losing progress.

There are many WYSIWYG Markdown editors available, each with its own set of features and benefits. We’ll explore our 19 favorites below.

The 19 Best WYSIWYG Markdown Editors of 2023

1. HubSpot CMS WYSIWYG Editor

With HubSpot CMS, you can build web pages and edit content easily — no coding knowledge required. The platform even has a drag-and-drop interface for adding images and other media.

You can see a live preview of the page as you work, removing the guesswork from web design. There’s no need to hit “Publish” just to see what your changes look like.

Price: HubSpot’s WYSIWYG editor is included with HubSpot CMS, which starts at $300 per month.

What we love: The HubSpot CMS has an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for beginners.

2. Typora

If you’re building something text-heavy, check out Typora’s minimalist, distraction-free interface. Typora allows you to use simple Markdown syntax to write text, add images, and structure your page with headers.

This editor has a live preview feature so you can see the final output in real time. Plus, you can use the platform’s customization options to add your own personal touches, including fonts and alignment.

Price: $19.99 per license.

What we like: If you’re looking for guidance, Typora offers themes to help you get started.

3. Bear

Bear offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to create and edit Markdown documents. The best part? It’s designed with mobile in mind.

Bear is available for Apple and Android devices. You can use this simple editor to take well-formatted notes, lists, or outline for compelling blog posts. Your document can then be published directly or exported to your other devices.

As with other Markdown editors, there is a live preview feature, and users can see the final output as they type.

Price: Bear is a freemium tool, with a Pro subscription that costs $1.49 per month or $14.99 per year.

What we like: With Bear, you can create Markdown documents on your phone or tablet.

4. StackEdit

If you’re looking for a collaborative WYSIWYG Markdown editor, check out StackEdit. This tool allows multiple users to work together on the same Markdown document in real time. The editor also has a live preview feature, so you can see the final output as you type.

Price: StackEdit is a free and open-source tool with no pricing or subscription fees.

What we like: StackEdit offers various customization options, such as themes and fonts.

5. Quiver

With their its easy-to-use syntax, Markdown editors offer a simple interface for notetaking. Enter Quiver, a notebook-style tool. Quiver users can organize their Markdown notes and documents without fuss.

Quiver offers multiple themes for you to explore and syntax highlighting. You can also present your notes using the tool’s full-screen presentation mode. Whether you're presenting in a classroom or a team meeting, you can share your work in seconds.

Price: Quiver costs $9.99 for a single license or $19.99 for a family license.

What we like: Quiver has full-text search built in, so you can find exactly what you're looking for even if you have thousands of notes.

6. Zettlr

Zettlr is a WYSIWYG Markdown editor designed with writers in mind. Here, you’ll find a distraction-free, clean interface tailored to researchers, journalists, and novelists.

Zettlr offers productivity tools to help you keep your ideas organized. That includes a reference manager, integrating directly with Zotero, JabRef, or Juris-M. You can also easily cite your work using CSL-JSON or BibTex.

Price: Zettlr is a free and open-source tool with no pricing or subscription fees.

What we like: Zettlr allows writers to use hashtags to link and categorize notes internally. You can also assign your tags colors to help you group your thoughts.

7. iA Writer

iA Writer offers a clean and uncluttered interface, making it easy for users to focus on their writing. The editor has a live preview feature, so users can see the final output as they type.

Simple document interlinking is a key feature of this tool. Once you use Markdown syntax to link to another note, you can navigate between documents with a simple “command click.”

Price: iA Writer costs $29.99 for a license on Mac and $19.99 for a license on Windows.

What we like: Syntax highlighting points out weak verbs, unwanted repetitions, and clutter so you can make changes.

8. Boostnote

Boostnote is a markdown editor that is popular among developers for its code snippet management features. With this feature, you can quickly make changes to your code all in one place. The editor also offers themes, fonts, and keyboard shortcuts.

Price: Boostnote is available for free, with no pricing or subscription fees.

What we like: With Boostnote, you can import documents from Notion, Confluence, Evernote, Dropbox, and more.

9. Notion

Notion is a powerful all-in-one workspace tool. You may already use the platform to track your projects— personally and for work. Notion comes with a WYSIWYG markdown editor that you can use straight away.

Notion has an intuitive and flexible interface, so you can create content in multiple formats. You can feature tables, calendars, and databases in your work. The editor also offers real-time collaboration features, which make it ideal for teams.

Price: Notion is available for free with limited features. Notion Pro starts at $4 per month.

What we like: You can easily build Wiki-style pages and product roadmaps in Notion.

10. Ulysses

Writers love Ulysses for its distraction-free writing environment. You can pull out your mobile device, like your phone or tablet, and type away. You can also set writing goals and targets, such as word count and reading time, to help you stay focused.

Price: Ulysses costs $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

What we like: Ulysses seamlessly syncs across multiple devices. You’ll have the latest version of your writing on all devices.

11. Ghost

If you’re a blogger looking for an easier way to write, check out Ghost. This popular blogging platform offers a markdown editor as one of its features. You can pick your own theme and integrate the plugins you already use, like Stripe and Google Analytics.

Ghost also allows you to create a newsletter, so you can reach out to your audience directly.

Price: Ghost subscriptions start at $9 per month.

What we like: You can easily add images, gifs, videos, information boxes, and more to your post in Ghost.

12. Obsidian

Obsidian offers remarkable linking and organization features, making it easy to create a collection of interconnected documents. This WYSIWYG editor offers a unique graph view feature that allows users to visualize the connections between their notes and ideas.

Price: A free version is available with limited features. Obsidian Sync costs $4.99 per month or $49 per year.

What we like: Obsidian has community plugins to help you stay on task. You can add a Calendar, use Kanban, or create templates in the app.

13. Simplenote

Simplenote is notable for its minimalist and distraction-free design. You can easily take notes and craft to do lists. You can even collaborate with your team to keep track of your progress together.

Simplenote also keeps comprehensive histories of each document. Your notes are saved and backed up with each change, so you don’t have to worry about losing your progress.

Price: Simplenote is a free tool with no pricing or subscription fees.

What we like: Simplenote offers various syncing options and is available on multiple platforms.

14. Inkdrop

Inkdrop is a robust WYSIWYG Markdown editor with a sleek interface, extensive plugin library, and cross-platform support.

Inkdrop features a real-time preview, which displays formatted text as you type. This feature saves time and enhances productivity, eliminating the need to switch back and forth between the Markdown syntax and the output.

Price: Inkdrop is a paid tool with a monthly subscription starting at $7 per user.

What we like: You can track your progress by setting a note status. You’ll always know what needs attention and what has been completed.

15. Turtl

Turtl is another noteworthy WYSIWYG Markdown editor that prioritizes privacy and security. This tool uses high-end cryptography to keep bad actors out of your documents. However, you can still specify collaborators so you can work with your team.

Turtl can create and organize notes in a hierarchical structure, making it easy to keep track of ideas and information. You can easily search your notes with text queries or using tags. Plus, you can organize your notes in folders on Turtl spaces.

Price: Turtl is free and open-source.

What we like: Turtl supports a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.

16. Joplin

Joplin is a cross-platform WYSIWYG Markdown editor that focuses on note-taking and organization. Plus, you can integrate multimedia elements to bring your notes to life. Link to helpful PDFs, feature images, and add audio files with context for your writing.

This tool also supports different symbols, so you can write about any topic you want. Crafting math expressions or chemistry problem sets becomes a breeze.

Price: Joplin is free and open-source.

What we love: Joplin supports syncing with your cloud services, including Dropbox, Nextcloud, and OneDrive.

17. Leanote

Leanote is a WYSIWYG Markdown editor that offers a range of features, including note-taking, document management, and collaboration. Plus, it’s simple and easy to use, making it an ideal tool for beginners or users who prefer a straightforward interface.

Price: Leanote is free and open-source.

What we like: Leanote creates a seamless experience for mobile devices and desktops, so you can switch between both.

18. GitBook

GitBook is a WYSIWYG Markdown editor that specializes in creating documentation and technical writing. Plus, you can write and publish documentation without needing any technical expertise.

With this platform, you can synch existing Git branches or import information from the tools you already use — like Notion, Confluence, and Google Docs. You can then rearrange your base material, switching around blocks, images, and more.

Price: GitBook subscriptions start at $4 per user per month.

What we like: GitBook supports a range of integrations, including GitHub, GitLab, and Slack.

19. Dillinger

Dillinger is a browser-based WYSIWYG Markdown editor that offers a range of features, including real-time preview, GitHub integration, and export options. You can even start with an existing HTML file. Dillinger will convert what you already have into Markdown.

Price: Dillinger is free and open-source.

What we like: Dillinger excels in its accessibility, as it can be used on any device with an internet connection and a web browser. Plus, it supports a range of export formats, including HTML, PDF, and Markdown.

Getting Started

A WYSIWYG Markdown editor can help you keep organized and write — no coding experience required. When picking the best tool for your team, consider your use case. Are you looking to make todo lists? Internal team Wikis? A blog? Then review our list and see which editor matches your use case.

Happy writing!