OpenMark vs Mark Text

Which markdown editor is right for you?

Mark Text was a popular free, open-source Markdown editor with inline WYSIWYG rendering. But the original developer has moved on, and the project is effectively abandoned — the last stable release was in 2022. OpenMark is actively developed for macOS Tahoe with native performance and modern features.

Feature comparison

Feature
OpenMark
Mark Text
Status
Actively developed for macOS Tahoe
Effectively abandoned — original developer moved on
Platform
Native macOS — built with SwiftUI, Liquid Glass
Electron — cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Pricing
$9.99 — one-time purchase on Mac App Store
Free and open-source
Editing style
Separate edit and preview panes
Inline WYSIWYG — renders as you type
Mermaid diagrams
Built-in — flowcharts, sequence, Gantt, and more
Supported (when it works — can be buggy)
LaTeX math
Built-in KaTeX — no setup required
KaTeX support included
Performance
~9 MB app, instant launch, native speed
~180 MB Electron app, slower startup and memory usage
macOS integration
Spotlight, Quick Look, system share, Apple Intelligence
Basic macOS support — no native integrations
Updates
Regular updates via Mac App Store
Last stable release in 2022 — community forks exist
Design
Liquid Glass — feels like a first-party Apple app
Custom Electron UI — multiple themes available

Which one should you choose?

Choose OpenMark if…

  • You want a markdown editor that's actively maintained and built for macOS Tahoe
  • You care about native performance — instant launch, low memory, small app size
  • You need reliable Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math that just work
  • You want Spotlight search, Quick Look preview, and Apple Intelligence integration

Choose Mark Text if…

  • You need a free editor and don't mind using abandoned software
  • You prefer inline WYSIWYG rendering over a separate preview pane
  • You work across Mac, Windows, and Linux and need one editor everywhere
  • You're comfortable with community forks and building from source

Try OpenMark — $9.99, one-time

Actively maintained. Native macOS. Mermaid diagrams. LaTeX math. No subscription.

Download on the Mac App Store

Also compare OpenMark with:

vs Obsidian →vs VS Code →vs Typora →vs iA Writer →vs Bear →vs MacDown →vs Ulysses →vs MarkEdit →