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ReText

Free#20 of 31 in Markdown Editors

ReText: A focused Linux editor for Markdown and four markup formats with local preview and export. Ranked #20 of 31 in Markdown Editors by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users editing multiple markup formats.

6.8/10Editor score

Visit ReText

ReText6.8 Visit ReText

At a glance

Editor score
6.8 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Linux users editing multiple markup formats
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Edits Markdown, reStructuredText, Textile, and AsciiDoc
- Previews documents and exports to PDF or HTML
- Combines file browsing, spell-checking, and table editing
Where it doesn't
- Official support is limited to Linux
- No publishing workflow is included
- Collaboration and integrations are not part of the offering

Our verdict on ReText

ReText is a free, open-source desktop editor for people who work with plain-text markup files on Linux. It supports Markdown, reStructuredText, Textile, and AsciiDoc, giving users one application for several markup formats rather than a Markdown-only workflow. The interface includes a directory tree for browsing local files, syntax highlighting for Markdown and reStructuredText, spell-checking through pyenchant, and a table editing mode. It is a practical fit for individual writers, documentation authors, and developers who prefer local files and desktop editing.

Its strongest distinction is breadth within markup editing. ReText combines HTML preview with an optional Qt WebEngine previewer, plus PDF and HTML export, so users can inspect and produce rendered documents without leaving the editor. Custom export extensions add flexibility for users who need to adapt the export process. The published feature set is centered on editing, previewing, and exporting rather than team workflows, making it better suited to personal documentation and local content production than collaborative publishing.

The main constraint is platform scope: Linux is officially supported, while Windows and macOS are documented as unofficial platforms. ReText is distributed under the GNU GPL and has a free, open-source model, which suits users who want a desktop tool without a paid plan. It does not include a publishing workflow, and collaboration or integrations are not part of its stated offering. Choose ReText for Linux-based, multi-format markup work with local files and export options; choose another editor if official support on Windows or macOS, connected services, or built-in collaboration is central to the workflow.

Your product? Our editors can test ReText in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

ReText pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

ReText fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported platforms	linux
Export formats	PDF, HTML
Publishing workflow	None
Real-time collaboration	Not verified
Markdown flavor	Not verified
Cloud sync	Not verified
Local file support	Yes
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Linux
Support	Docs
Pricing	Free plan
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to ReText

See all ReText alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

ReText is listed in our Markdown Editors directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update