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Head-to-head · Markdown Editors

StackEdit vs HackMD

  • 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
HackMD #2 in Markdown Editors 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit HackMD

StackEdit leads on 0 checks, HackMD 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 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

StackEdit is the better fit for free web editing and publishing. HackMD is the better fit for collaborative Markdown teams.

  • StackEdit fits best

    Free web editing and publishing

  • HackMD fits best

    Collaborative Markdown teams

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Side by side

Feature StackEdit 9.2/10 Visit ↗ HackMD 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.1
Ranking #1 in Markdown Editors #2 in Markdown Editors
Best for Free web editing and publishing Collaborative Markdown teams
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $5/seat/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Web, Chrome extension
Support Community Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features StackEdit 3/3 · HackMD 0/3
Real-time collaboration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local file support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms web, chrome_extension, self_hosted Not checked yet
Export formats Markdown, HTML, PDF Not checked yet
Publishing workflow Cms Not checked yet
Markdown flavor Custom Not checked yet
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
  • Real-time editing with comments, mentions, and multiple cursors
  • GitHub synchronization plus Dropbox, Google Drive, and Arweave transfers
  • API, CLI, MCP, browser extensions, publishing, and version recovery
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
  • Free plan supports up to 3 teammates and 3 invitees
  • Free version history is limited to the recent 10 versions
  • Native app coverage is centered on the web experience
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 →

HackMD is a web-based collaborative Markdown workspace for teams, developers, researchers, communities, and open-source projects. It supports simultaneous editing with multiple cursors, comments, mentions, templates, shared workspaces,…

Read the review →
  1. StackEditMarkdown Editors 9.2Free plan
  2. HackMDMarkdown Editors 9.1Free 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

  • HackMD — where it wins

    • Real-time editing with comments, mentions, and multiple cursors
    • GitHub synchronization plus Dropbox, Google Drive, and Arweave transfers
    • API, CLI, MCP, browser extensions, publishing, and version recovery

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan supports up to 3 teammates and 3 invitees
    • Free version history is limited to the recent 10 versions
    • Native app coverage is centered on the web experience

More comparisons

All markdown editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update