MarkUp is a free, lightweight desktop Markdown editor built with Tauri and React. It runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux — no browser, no internet, no account required. It opens .md and .markdown files directly from your file manager, shows a real-time split preview, and exports to PDF and HTML.

Yes, completely free. No trial period, no premium tier, no subscriptions. MarkUp is a free desktop app.

What operating systems does MarkUp support?

MarkUp supports Windows 10/11 (x64), macOS (Apple Silicon — M1/M2/M3), and Linux (x86_64 via AppImage, .deb, or .rpm). An Intel Mac build is planned for a future release.

Does MarkUp require an internet connection?

No. MarkUp is a fully offline desktop application. Once installed, it works without any internet connection. No data is sent anywhere.

What is GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)?

GitHub Flavored Markdown is an extended Markdown specification that adds support for tables, task lists (checkboxes), strikethrough text, and fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting. It is the format used on GitHub, GitLab, Notion, and most modern documentation platforms.

What are slash commands in MarkUp?

Slash commands let you insert Markdown elements without remembering the syntax. Type / anywhere in the editor to open the command palette, then type or scroll to find what you need — /table, /code, /emoji, /link, /h2, and more. Press Enter to insert.

Can I open multiple files at the same time?

Yes. MarkUp supports multi-tab editing. Each tab is independent and your session — including all open tabs and their content — is automatically saved and restored when you reopen the app.

Zen mode hides all UI elements — the menu bar, tab bar, and status bar — leaving only your text. It is designed for distraction-free writing. Press Esc or use the View menu to exit Zen mode.

How does external file modification detection work?

If you have a .md file open in MarkUp and another program (a code editor, Git, a sync tool) modifies that file, MarkUp will detect the change and prompt you to reload. This prevents you from accidentally overwriting external changes with your own edits.

Is MarkUp open source?

The MarkUp source code is currently in a private repository. There are plans to open source it in the future.

What is the difference between MarkUp and online Markdown editors?

Online Markdown editors require a browser tab and an internet connection, and many require an account. MarkUp opens like any desktop app — double-click a .md file and it opens instantly with live preview. It works offline, integrates with your file system, and has no usage limits.

MarkUp

Q: What export formats does MarkUp support?

MarkUp supports PDF export (via the system print dialog for clean, print-ready output) and HTML export (a fully self-contained .html file with embedded styles and syntax highlighting). Both formats preserve your document structure and code block highlighting.

Beta

Desktop Markdown Editor

A simple, fast
Markdown editor
for your desktop

MarkUp is a free desktop Markdown editor with real-time split preview. Open any .md file, write and preview side by side, and export to PDF or HTML — without opening a browser.

Windows

macOS

Linux

Download Free

Free forever · No account · No internet required

MarkUp desktop Markdown editor showing split view with editor on the left and real-time preview on the right

MarkUp multi-tab interface showing multiple open documents

Platforms

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Forever

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Offline

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What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight text formatting language created in 2004 that lets you write structured documents using plain text. Surround a word with **asterisks** to make it bold, prefix a line with # to make it a heading. Markdown is now used everywhere — GitHub README files, technical documentation, blog posts, note-taking apps, and developer wikis. It is fast to write, readable as plain text, and converts cleanly to HTML or PDF.

Online Markdown editors vs MarkUp

Most popular Markdown editors — Dillinger, StackEdit, HackMD — are web apps. They require a browser tab, an internet connection, and often an account. MarkUp works like Notepad or VS Code: install it once, double-click a .md file, and it opens with a live preview instantly. No browser tab, no login, no upload. Your files stay on your machine and open as fast as any local app.

Everything you need to write Markdown

No bloat, no subscriptions. Just a clean editor that stays out of your way.

MarkUp slash command palette open showing available insert commands

Type / to insert anything

Real-time split preview

Write Markdown on the left and see the rendered output on the right, updating instantly as you type. Switch to Editor-only or Preview-only when you need focus.

Slash commands

Type / to open the command palette — insert tables, code blocks, links, emojis, headings, and more without remembering any syntax. 20+ commands available.

Zen mode

One keypress hides the entire UI — menu bar, tabs, status bar — leaving only your text. Press Esc to return. Designed for distraction-free writing sessions.

Multi-tab with session persistence

Open multiple documents in tabs. When you close and reopen MarkUp, all your tabs and their content are exactly as you left them — no manual reopening.

Zen mode

MarkUp export menu showing PDF and HTML export options

Export to PDF or HTML instantly

Export to PDF & HTML

Export your document as a clean, print-ready PDF via the system dialog, or as a fully self-contained HTML file with embedded styles and syntax highlighting.

External file modification detection

If Git, a code editor, or any sync tool modifies your open file while you are writing, MarkUp detects the change and asks whether to reload — preventing accidental overwrites.

Up and running in seconds

Download, install, and start writing. No setup, no configuration.

Download & install

Download the installer for your OS below. Run it like any desktop app — double-click to install. No account or signup required.

Open a Markdown file

Double-click any .md or .markdown file to open it in MarkUp, or drag and drop it into the app window.

Write, preview, export

Edit in split view with live preview, use slash commands to format quickly, then export to PDF or HTML when done.

Keyboard shortcuts

Built for keyboard-first workflows. Everything has a shortcut.

Ctrl + NNew tab

Ctrl + OOpen file

Ctrl + SSave

Ctrl + Shift + SSave As

Ctrl + WClose tab

EscExit Zen mode

/Open slash commands

Ctrl + ZUndo

Ctrl + FSearch in document

Download MarkUp Beta

Free for Windows, macOS, and Linux. No account required.

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Frequently asked questions

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Free desktop Markdown editor. Works offline. No account needed.

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