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Head-to-head · Markdown Editors

StackEdit vs Ghostwriter

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score StackEdit #1 in Markdown Editors 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit StackEdit
Ghostwriter #6 in Markdown Editors 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit KDE

StackEdit leads on 0 checks, Ghostwriter on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreStackEdit · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresStackEdit · 3 of 3

StackEdit scores higher on our rubric for markdown editors: 9.2 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On markdown flavor, StackEdit gives you Custom where Ghostwriter offers Github_flavored.

StackEdit is the better fit for free web editing and publishing. Ghostwriter is the better fit for free desktop writers needing Markdown flexibility.

  • StackEdit fits best

    Free web editing and publishing

  • Ghostwriter fits best

    Free desktop writers needing Markdown flexibility

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature StackEdit 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Ghostwriter 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.4
Ranking #1 in Markdown Editors #6 in Markdown Editors
Best for Free web editing and publishing Free desktop writers needing Markdown flexibility
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Desktop
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Windows, Linux, macOS
Support Community Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features StackEdit 3/3 · Ghostwriter 1/3
Real-time collaboration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local file support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms web, chrome_extension, self_hosted Windows, Linux, macOS
Export formats Markdown, HTML, PDF HTML, Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, commonmark
Publishing workflow Cms Not checked yet
Markdown flavor Custom Github_flavored
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source editing across web, Chrome extension, and self-hosted deployments
  • Syncs with Google Drive, Dropbox, and GitHub, with offline writing
  • Publishes to Blogger, WordPress, and Zendesk and exports Markdown, HTML, and PDF
  • Live preview, focus mode, fullscreen mode, and document navigation
  • Supports cmark-gfm, Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, Discount, and cmark
  • Free, open source, with autosave, backups, and image drag-and-drop
Cons
  • Its custom Markdown flavor may require adaptation across other Markdown tools
  • Publishing targets focus on Blogger, WordPress, and Zendesk
  • The extension experience is centered on Chrome
  • macOS support is community-supported and requires building from source
  • Desktop-only workflow with local files rather than a hosted workspace
  • Export and processor options depend on installed Markdown processors
Our verdict

StackEdit is a browser-based Markdown editor for individuals and teams that need to write, format, review, synchronize, and publish documents. Its interface combines Markdown syntax highlighting, WYSIWYG formatting controls, live preview,…

Read the review →

Ghostwriter is a free, open-source Markdown editor developed by KDE for writers who want a focused desktop workspace. It works with local files on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and combines a distraction-free interface with live HTML preview,…

Read the review →
  1. StackEditMarkdown Editors 9.2Free plan
  2. GhostwriterMarkdown Editors 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • StackEdit — where it wins

    • Free, open-source editing across web, Chrome extension, and self-hosted deployments
    • Syncs with Google Drive, Dropbox, and GitHub, with offline writing
    • Publishes to Blogger, WordPress, and Zendesk and exports Markdown, HTML, and PDF

    Where it doesn't

    • Its custom Markdown flavor may require adaptation across other Markdown tools
    • Publishing targets focus on Blogger, WordPress, and Zendesk
    • The extension experience is centered on Chrome

  • Ghostwriter — where it wins

    • Live preview, focus mode, fullscreen mode, and document navigation
    • Supports cmark-gfm, Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, Discount, and cmark
    • Free, open source, with autosave, backups, and image drag-and-drop

    Where it doesn't

    • macOS support is community-supported and requires building from source
    • Desktop-only workflow with local files rather than a hosted workspace
    • Export and processor options depend on installed Markdown processors
  • StackEdit9.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad free editor for Markdown writing, collaboration, cloud sync, and CMS publishing.

    Visit StackEditFull verdict →
  • Ghostwriter8.4/10 · Free plan

    A capable free Markdown editor for focused local writing across three desktop platforms.

    Visit KDEFull verdict →

More comparisons

All markdown editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update