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Head-to-head · Markdown Editors

Dillinger vs Zettlr

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Dillinger #4 in Markdown Editors 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Dillinger
Zettlr #7 in Markdown Editors 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Zettlr

Dillinger leads on 0 checks, Zettlr on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDillinger · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDillinger · 2 of 3

Dillinger scores higher on our rubric for markdown editors: 8.7 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Dillinger is the better fit for free browser-based editing with cloud files. Zettlr is the better fit for researchers and connected-note writers.

  • Dillinger fits best

    Free browser-based editing with cloud files

  • Zettlr fits best

    Researchers and connected-note writers

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Side by side

Feature Dillinger 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Zettlr 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.2
Ranking #4 in Markdown Editors #7 in Markdown Editors
Best for Free browser-based editing with cloud files Researchers and connected-note writers
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Dillinger 2/3 · Zettlr 0/3
Real-time collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local file support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms web Windows, macOS, Linux
Export formats Markdown, HTML, PDF Not checked yet
Publishing workflow Not checked yet Not checked yet
Markdown flavor Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Monaco editor with syntax highlighting, cursors, search, and autocompletion
  • Live side-by-side preview with synchronized scrolling
  • Cloud connections plus Markdown, HTML, and PDF export
  • Local workspaces keep Markdown files on your computer
  • Zettelkasten tools, graph view, links, tags, and full-text search
  • Citations, reference managers, LanguageTool, and Pandoc export
Cons
  • Available as a web application rather than a desktop editor
  • Offline core editing starts only after the initial load
  • Export options are limited to Markdown, styled HTML, and PDF
  • Sharing relies on exported formats such as TextBundle and TextPack
  • The feature set may feel broader than needed for simple Markdown editing
  • Real-time collaborative editing is not part of its stated sharing workflow
Our verdict

Dillinger is a free, open-source Markdown editor that runs in the browser. It is aimed at developers, technical writers, and other users creating README files, documentation, blog posts, or structured prompts. Core editing requires no…

Read the review →

Zettlr is a free, open-source desktop application for Markdown-based note-taking, knowledge management, academic research, journalism, and long-form writing. It is designed for researchers and writers who want local files, connected notes,…

Read the review →
  1. DillingerMarkdown Editors 8.7Free plan
  2. ZettlrMarkdown Editors 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Dillinger — where it wins

    • Monaco editor with syntax highlighting, cursors, search, and autocompletion
    • Live side-by-side preview with synchronized scrolling
    • Cloud connections plus Markdown, HTML, and PDF export

    Where it doesn't

    • Available as a web application rather than a desktop editor
    • Offline core editing starts only after the initial load
    • Export options are limited to Markdown, styled HTML, and PDF

  • Zettlr — where it wins

    • Local workspaces keep Markdown files on your computer
    • Zettelkasten tools, graph view, links, tags, and full-text search
    • Citations, reference managers, LanguageTool, and Pandoc export

    Where it doesn't

    • Sharing relies on exported formats such as TextBundle and TextPack
    • The feature set may feel broader than needed for simple Markdown editing
    • Real-time collaborative editing is not part of its stated sharing workflow

More comparisons

All markdown editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update