What are the best iOS Markdown text editors?

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Aug 8, 2023

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Updated

1Writer vs iA Writer vs Editorial

vs Byword vs Notes Writer vs Boostnote

Specs

Platforms

License

Export

Price

Sync

API

Dark Theme

Offline access

Preview

Markdown support

Versioning

Formula editing

Tables

Platforms

MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows

License

Proprietary

Export

HTML, PDF

Price

$59,99

Sync

iCloud, Dropbox

API

Dark Theme

Offline access

Preview

Markdown support

Versioning

Formula editing

Tables

Platforms

License

Export

Price

Sync

API

Dark Theme

Offline access

Preview

Markdown support

Versioning

Formula editing

Tables

Platforms

License

Export

Price

Sync

API

Dark Theme

Offline access

Preview

Markdown support

Versioning

Formula editing

Tables

Platforms

License

Export

Price

Sync

API

Dark Theme

Offline access

Preview

Markdown support

Versioning

Formula editing

Tables

Platforms

Windows/MacOS/Linux/Android/IOS

License

GPL v3

Export

Yes - Text (.txt), MarkDown (.md)

Price

Sync

API

Dark Theme

Yes

Offline access

Yes

Preview

Yes

Markdown support

Yes

Versioning

Formula editing

LaTex

Tables

Yes (MarkDown Extra)

Pros + Cons

Pro
Can be automated with JavaSript actions

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Con
Simple UI, but not very clear where to look for what

Export to is hidden in Copy and Open in.

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Pro
Noise Free Writing Experience removes even the program bar

The Noise Free Writing Experience is one of the first approaches to create a first class distraction-free environment. The feature hides the Mac program bar when you start writing.

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Pro
A mode that brings focus to the sentence you're working on

Enabling Focus Mode will dim the whole text except the sentence you are currently writing on.

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Con
No Linux support

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Pro
Easy cloud sync

You can sync your iA Writer documents with your iCloud or Dropbox account from within the editor.

Comment

Pro
Easy acces to special characters

The keyboard in Editorial for iPhone and iPad has a top row for more convenient access to special characters.

Comment

Pro
Syncs using iCloud and Dropbox

Documents can be synced using iCloud or Dropbox from within the editor for use across all devices.

Comment

Con
Limited customizability

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Con
Publishing requires additional in-app purchase

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Pro
Does more than many other markdown editors

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Pro
Compatible with iPad OS 14.2 “Files”

You can open, edit and save files from the native applications “Files”.

Comment

Con
Slow starting up with “Files”

You can open, edit and save files from the native applications “Files”, but with a long delay, which I assume is related with the size of the file.

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Con
Mobile Apps no longer aviable

They removed the iOS and the Android app from the stores.

Comment

Pro
Vim/emacs key bindings available

Boostnote supports vim/emacs key bindings. If you're a developer familiar with either of them, navigation should be easy to pick up.

Comment

Pro
Comes with many themes

Boostnote comes with many themes out of the box, most of which are popular themes and color schemes for code editors: e.g. 3024, base16, solarized, tomorrow.

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Pro
Cross platform support

Supports Windows, macOS and Linux.

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Pro
Global search, tag feature

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Pro
Open source

https://github.com/BoostIO/Boostnote

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Pro
Free

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Con
Must use third-party service for sync-ing (Dropbox, etc.)

Boostnote does not have sync-ing capabilities and relies on third-party services to fulfil notes storage. There are additional steps involved to set this up.

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