HackMD
HackMD: A focused Markdown workspace with strong GitHub connectivity and developer tooling. Ranked #14 of 34 in Collaborative Document Software by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for markdown-first technical and developer teams.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMarkdown-first technical and developer teams
- Free planYes
- Paid from$5/seat/mo
- Real-time editingYes
- Founded2014 · Taiwan
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Real-time editing, comments, mentions, and multiple cursors
- GitHub synchronization plus REST API, CLI, MCP, and extensions
- Free plan includes unlimited notes and collaboration for up to 3 teammates
Where it doesn't
- The workspace is primarily web-based rather than a native desktop app
- Free version history is limited to the recent 10 versions
- Advanced controls such as SSO and role-based access require Enterprise
Our verdict on HackMD
HackMD is a web-based collaborative Markdown workspace for developers, technical teams, researchers, communities, and open-source projects. It combines real-time editing with multiple cursors, comments, mentions, version recovery, templates, publishing, and permalinks. The Markdown-first approach makes it a natural fit for teams that write technical documentation, project notes, research material, or shared engineering content in plain text. Teams seeking a general-purpose document suite may find its focus narrower than needed.
Pricing is structured around a free tier and paid plans. Free includes unlimited notes, up to 3 teammates, 3 invitees, suggest editing, GitHub integration, and 20 GitHub pushes per month. Prime costs $5 per seat per month when billed annually and adds unlimited invites, unlimited versions, PDF export, unlimited GitHub pushes, 20,000 API calls per month, and note insights. Enterprise adds role-based access control, SSO, a custom domain, a custom homepage, GitLab integration, and a dedicated account manager. The paid tiers are most relevant when teams need larger collaboration limits, deeper publishing and integration workflows, or organizational controls.
HackMD’s ecosystem fit is a central strength. Notes can synchronize with GitHub, and the service supports imports and exports through Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub, and Arweave. Its REST API, CLI, MCP support, and browser extensions provide additional ways to connect Markdown work with developer workflows. Public publishing and permalinks also suit communities and documentation projects. Choose HackMD if Markdown, GitHub, and collaborative technical writing are central to your work. Consider an alternative if you need a broader office-style workspace or prefer native applications over a primarily web-based service.
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HackMD pricing
All 3 HackMD plans and prices →
HackMD fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $5/seat/mo |
| Real-time editing | Yes |
| Version history | Limited |
| Guest access | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Comments | Yes |
| Native app coverage | Web |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Chrome extension |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, SSO/SAML |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 8 integrations: GitHub, GitLab, REST API, MCP, CLI, Chrome … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | hackmd.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
HackMD integrations
HackMD lists 8 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- GitLab
- REST API
- MCP
- CLI
- Chrome
- Firefox
- VS Code
Alternatives to HackMD
- Google DocsA capable collaborative editor with strong permissions, offline access, and Google integrations.9.4
- Zoho WriterA broad collaborative word processor with strong desktop coverage and a free core edition.9.2
- ONLYOFFICE DocsAn open-source, self-hosted office suite with broad editing and collaboration tools.9.1
Also Ranked In
HackMD is ranked in 6 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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