Best Ghostwriter Alternatives in 2026
The top Ghostwriter alternatives are StackEdit, HackMD and HedgeDoc: 15 markdown editors our editors would look at instead of Ghostwriter, in our ranking order.
Ghostwriter: A capable free Markdown editor for focused local writing across three desktop platforms. Where it falls short: macOS support is community-supported and requires building from source.
Switching from Ghostwriter? For most markdown editors buyers the best Ghostwriter alternative is StackEdit, built for free web editing and publishing. On a budget, HackMD starts at $5/seat/mo.
Why People Look for a Ghostwriter Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallStackEdit9.2
Free web editing and publishing
Visit StackEdit - Lowest priceHackMD9.1
Paid plans from $5/seat/mo
Visit HackMD - Best free optionStackEdit9.2
Has a free plan
Visit StackEdit
All 15 Ghostwriter Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forFree web editing and publishing
- Better than Ghostwriter:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.4
A broad free editor for Markdown writing, collaboration, cloud sync, and CMS publishing.
- Real-time collaboration
- Cloud sync
- Local file support
9.2/10★★★★★Visit StackEdit -
Best forCollaborative Markdown teams
- Better than Ghostwriter:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.4
A capable collaborative Markdown workspace with strong GitHub and publishing workflows.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit HackMD -
Best forSelf-hosted collaborative Markdown teams
- Better than Ghostwriter:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.4
A self-hosted Markdown workspace for teams that need live collaboration and control.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit HedgeDoc -
Best forFree browser-based editing with cloud files
- Better than Ghostwriter:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.4
A flexible free editor for Markdown work across local files and cloud storage.
- Cloud sync
- Local file support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Dillinger -
Best forFree cross-platform Markdown writing
- Better than Ghostwriter:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.4
A free desktop Markdown editor with visual editing, source mode, and local file tools.
- Local file support
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit MarkText -
Best forResearchers and connected-note writers
A free local Markdown editor with serious tools for research and connected notes.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Zettlr -
Best forPolished offline Markdown editing
A polished offline Markdown editor with broad export options, but no free plan.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Typora -
Best forLinux writers seeking a focused free editor
A focused, free Linux editor with strong writing tools and Pandoc export.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Apostrophe -
Best forTeams needing free collaborative Markdown
A free, open-source Markdown workspace with collaboration, integrations, and self-hosting.
- Real-time collaboration
- Cloud sync
- Local file support
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Muesli -
Best forPower users wanting free cross-platform editing
A free, open-source Markdown workspace for writing across desktop and web.
- Cloud sync
- Local file support
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Markra -
Best forFree Pandoc-based document conversion
A focused, free Markdown editor for Pandoc-based document conversion.
- Local file support
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit PanWriter -
Best forMac and iOS writers with publishing needs
A capable Markdown workspace for Apple users who write, organize, and publish.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit MWeb -
Best forWindows users needing publishing and Git tools
A broad Markdown workspace for Windows users who need Git and publishing tools.
- Local file support
7.4/10★★★★☆Try Markdown Monster -
Best forMature cross-device focused writing
A mature cross-device Markdown editor with strong exports, publishing, and focus tools.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit iA Writer -
Best forSmall teams editing Markdown together
A focused web editor for shared Markdown work, with useful collaboration limits on Free.
- Real-time collaboration
- Cloud sync
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Composer
Ghostwriter Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Ghostwriter?
StackEdit: #1 in our Markdown Editors ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad free editor for Markdown writing, collaboration, cloud sync, and CMS publishing.
Is there a free alternative to Ghostwriter?
Yes. StackEdit, HackMD, HedgeDoc, Dillinger and MarkText have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Ghostwriter?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, HackMD starts lowest, at $5/seat/mo.
Why do people look for Ghostwriter alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Ghostwriter?
Export your data from Ghostwriter (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ghostwriter.
How to Switch from Ghostwriter
- Export your data from Ghostwriter (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ghostwriter.
Ghostwriter vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Export formats | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ghostwriter | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | HTML, Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, commonmark | 8.4 |
| 1 | StackEdit | Yes | Free | web, chrome_extension, self_hosted | Markdown, HTML, PDF | 9.2 |
| 2 | HackMD | Yes | $5/seat/mo | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | HedgeDoc | Free | 8.9 | |||
| 4 | Dillinger | Yes | Free | web | Markdown, HTML, PDF | 8.7 |
| 5 | MarkText | Yes | Free | windows, macos, linux | HTML, PDF | 8.5 |
| 6 | Zettlr | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | 8.2 | |
| 7 | Typora | No | $14.99 one-time | extensive | 8.1 | |
| 8 | Apostrophe | Yes | Free | Linux | PDF, ODT, Word, HTML, LaTeX | 7.9 |
| 9 | Muesli | Yes | Free | web, windows, macos, linux, self_hosted | 7.8 | |
| 10 | Markra | Yes | Free | web, windows, macos, linux | HTML, PDF, DOCX, EPUB, LaTeX | 7.7 |
| 11 | PanWriter | Yes | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | HTML, DOCX, EPUB, LaTeX, PDF, PowerPoint, InDesign ICML, and other Pandoc formats | 7.6 |
| 12 | MWeb | $34.99 one-time | macOS, iPadOS, iOS | 7.5 | ||
| 13 | Markdown Monster | No | windows | HTML, PDF | 7.4 | |
| 14 | iA Writer | No | extensive | 7.3 | ||
| 15 | Composer | Yes | $5.99/user/mo | web | Markdown | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- Ghostwriter vs StackEdit
- Ghostwriter vs HackMD
- Ghostwriter vs HedgeDoc
- Ghostwriter vs Dillinger
- Ghostwriter vs MarkText
- Ghostwriter vs Zettlr
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update