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Head-to-head · Markdown Editors

StackEdit vs Zettlr

  • 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
Zettlr #7 in Markdown Editors 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Zettlr

StackEdit leads on 0 checks, Zettlr 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 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

StackEdit is the better fit for free web editing and publishing. Zettlr is the better fit for researchers and connected-note writers.

  • StackEdit fits best

    Free web editing and publishing

  • Zettlr fits best

    Researchers and connected-note writers

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 ↗ Zettlr 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.2
Ranking #1 in Markdown Editors #7 in Markdown Editors
Best for Free web editing and publishing Researchers and connected-note writers
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, macOS, Linux
Support Community Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features StackEdit 3/3 · Zettlr 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 Windows, macOS, Linux
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. StackEditMarkdown Editors 9.2Free plan
  2. ZettlrMarkdown Editors 8.2Free 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

  • 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