Free to download · No account · No ads

The complete Markdown editor. On desktop, tablet and phone.

Everything you need to write in Markdown and take a document all the way, with nothing to go and install: a visual editor on iPhone, iPad and Mac, live preview with LaTeX and Mermaid, document outline, tabs, command palette, find, statistics, daily goal, and export to PDF, HTML and EPUB. On Apple devices and on Android, from the same hand. No accounts, no subscriptions.

Native, lightweight, no subscription.

Mac · iPad · iPhone

Visual editor or Markdown, your choice. iCloud keeps your three devices in step.

Download on the App Store

Already writing in Ulysses, Bear, Typora, iA Writer, Obsidian, Inkdrop, MarkText or Zettlr?See the honest comparison →

Tablet · Foldable · Phone

Your documents stay ordinary .md files, in a folder you pick.

Get it on Google Play

Already writing in iA Writer, JotterPad, Obsidian or Markor?See the honest comparison →

Inkiostro on a Mac: the file sidebar, the Markdown source and the rendered preview side by side.
Files, the Markdown source and the preview, in one windowTabs · Outline · Command palette
Plain .md filesPDF · EPUB · HTML · MDNo accountsNo adsWorks offlineEnglish · Italiano · Français · Deutsch · 日本語
Why Inkiostro · Mac · iPad · iPhone

Four things you will not find together anywhere else.

Live preview, sync and a clean window are table stakes. These four are the reason to pick this one.

### Two ways to write · new in 1.12

Markdown or visual: you choose

Write in Markdown, typing the symbols and seeing them, with the preview a click away. Or pick the Visual Editor and see headings, bold, lists, tables and formulas as you write, like a word processor — with the buttons in a bar at the bottom of the window, or above the keyboard on iPhone. It is the same file either way, plain Markdown: switch from one editor to the other whenever you like.

  1. The Markdown editor: you type the symbols, full control.
  2. The Visual Editor: the text looks as it will in the PDF, formatting from one bar.
  3. One file, always plain Markdown. The Visual Editor is part of Pro — try it free for 7 days.
Inkiostro on Mac: the same document open in the Markdown editor, with its symbols, and in the Visual Editor, already formatted
### Your own style · new in 1.13

Your style, your CSS

Start from any of the preview styles and change what you like: a red title, a drop cap, more room between paragraphs. Never written CSS? Add a ready-made recipe and adjust it, with the preview changing as you type. What you write follows the document into the PDF, the EPUB and the HTML — and a book can have its own.

  1. Your CSS, on top of the style you chose. Recipes ready to add, each one a short commented block.
  2. The preview changes as you type: a drop cap, chapter titles in small caps.
  3. An ornament between scenes, the same in the EPUB. Your own CSS is part of Pro.
Inkiostro on Mac: the CSS window, with the book's own CSS on the left and the preview on the right, with a drop cap and an ornament between scenes
### Version history

Undo this morning, keep this afternoon

Every editor has undo, and it dies the moment you close the app. Inkiostro saves up to 40 versions of each document as you write, shows a line-by-line diff between any two of them, and — the part nothing else here does — restores one paragraph out of an old version without reverting everything you have written since.

  1. How much the document grew, day by day.
  2. Restore one change and leave the rest of the page alone.
  3. Name a version, like “Sent to the editor”, to find it again.
Version history on a Mac: the timeline of saved versions beside a diff of the changes.
### Formulas & diagrams

Still text when it lands on someone else's desk

Type $E = mc^2$ and KaTeX sets it as you go. Open a Mermaid block and it becomes a real flowchart, sequence or Gantt chart — drawn with words instead of dragged with a mouse. Then export, and here is the part that matters: the equation is still an equation and the diagram is still a diagram. Selectable, searchable, copyable. Most editors hand your reader a photograph of your maths and hope nobody tries to quote it.

  • LaTeX inline with $ … $ or as a display block
  • Mermaid flowcharts, sequences and Gantt charts
  • Selectable in the PDF — never flattened into an image
A LaTeX formula written in Markdown on the left, typeset in the preview on the right.
A Mermaid flowchart written in Markdown on the left, drawn in the preview on the right.
### Publishing · new in 1.11

An ePub you can hand to a publisher

Most editors export an ebook that is one long chapter with no cover. Inkiostro builds a real one: chapters cut where you say, a cover, an ISBN, a series and keywords, footnotes that open over the page instead of throwing the reader to the end of the book, and the accessibility declaration Europe has required of every ebook sold there since June 2025 — worked out from the book itself and written for you. And before you send anything, it tells you what a store would object to two weeks later.

  1. A warning when the cover is missing: “In a library, a book without one is a grey rectangle.”
  2. ISBN, series and publication date, checked before export.
  3. A book made of many files, one chapter per file.
The ePub export sheet on a Mac: title, author, cover and ISBN, with a warning at the foot saying the book has no cover.
### Backup & restore · new in 1.11

Your library backed up, and a way back from it

A dated archive of every document, with its folders, its labels and the whole version history inside it. Manual or on a schedule, into a folder you choose. The archive is a zip: open it and your Markdown files are right there, readable, even without Inkiostro — that is the point of it.

  • Scheduled or on demand, with as many copies kept as you say
  • A restore never deletes, and shows file by file what it would replace
  • Version history travels inside the archive
The Backup settings on a Mac: three locations down the side, with the destination, how often, how many copies to keep, and the date of the last backup.
In numbers · 1.11

What is inside, counted.

No extensions to hunt down. Everything below ships in the app and updates with it.

40versions kept for every document, with no setup
11preview styles, light and dark, free for everyone
5export formats: PDF, EPUB, HTML, TXT and Markdown
0accounts to create, ads to watch, trackers on this site
One app, every device

One editor, two ecosystems

The same app, written natively twice: Swift on Apple, Kotlin on Android. Same documents, same Markdown, same preview — and on each side the thing that platform does best.

Inkiostro on an iPad in landscape: files, the Markdown source and the rendered preview, three panes at once.Inkiostro on an iPad in landscape: files, the Markdown source and the rendered preview, three panes at once.
Apple · iCloud

Mac, iPad and iPhone — in perfect sync

A native app that feels at home on each device. Do your best work on Mac in a full three-pane window, keep writing on iPad with the split-view preview, and capture ideas on iPhone. iCloud keeps every document up to date automatically.

MacA roomy three-pane window with the most advanced Inkiostro yet — tabs, document outline, command palette and full keyboard control.
iPadEditor and live preview side by side, with your files always one tap away.
iPhoneDistraction-free writing in your pocket, with the formatting toolbar above the keyboard.
Download on the App Store
Inkiostro on an Android tablet in landscape: files, the Markdown source and the rendered preview, three panes at once.
Android · .md

Tablet, foldable, Chromebook and phone — files that stay yours

Built for the big screen first: three panes side by side, keyboard shortcuts, right-click menus, and a layout that reflows when you unfold or resize. Your documents are ordinary .md files in a folder you choose — no database, no account, no import step.

TabletFiles, editor and live preview in three panes, with dividers you can drag.
Foldable & ChromebookThree width classes, three layouts — it changes shape when you unfold, not just size.
PhoneThe editor with the file list a swipe away, and the formatting bar above the keyboard.
Get it on Google PlaySee Inkiostro for Android →
On a big screen

With a keyboard and a wide window, Inkiostro does more

Everything else — LaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, EPUB and HTML export, version history and the cheat sheet — is on iPhone and iPad too, and on Android.

  • Document outlineNavigate long documents from a searchable outline of every heading, always at hand in the side panel (⌘⇧O).
  • Command paletteReach every action and shortcut in a keystroke, without leaving the keyboard (⌘⇧P).
  • TabsKeep several documents open in one window and switch with a click — or turn tabs off and write one file at a time.
  • Finder integrationDrag files in from the Finder, right-click anywhere in the sidebar to create a file or folder, and jump back to any document in the Finder.
  • PrintPrint straight from the app (⌘P), with the same layout, theme and fonts as the preview.
  • Made for the keyboardA full menu bar and a shortcut for everything — formatting, export, focus mode, version history.
More inside

Thoughtful details, everywhere you look

A calm editor built for focus and simplicity. No clutter — just your words, with the tools you actually use.

Formatting toolbar

One-tap bold, italic, headings, lists, links, images and tables — the right Markdown, inserted for you.

Live preview

Watch your document render in real time, then jump straight back to editing.

24 app themes PRO

Restyle the whole app, light and dark. Separate from the 11 preview styles, which are free for everyone.

Focus & Typewriter PRO

Fade everything but the current line, or keep the cursor centered for deep, immersive writing.

Writing goal & stats

Live word count and a daily writing goal with a progress ring to build a habit.

Tables

Insert a ready-to-fill Markdown table with the columns and rows you choose.

Find in document

Search a long note and jump between matches, highlighted as you type.

Fonts & text size PRO

Choose your editor font and size — and on Pro, write with any font installed on your device.

Color labels & info

Tag files and folders with colors and open info for word count, size and dates.

Made for anyone who writes: Writers & authors, Students & researchers, Developers, Bloggers, Note-takers, Journalers.

Free & Pro

Pro power. Zero subscriptions.

No subscription · no lock-in · no time limit on the free version

Everything you need to write is free forever. Upgrade once to Pro for advanced publishing and customization — no recurring fees.

FeatureFreePro
Clean editor & live preview✓✓
iCloud sync (iPhone, iPad, Mac)✓✓
Export to PDF, TXT & Markdown✓✓
Available in 14 languages✓✓
11 preview styles✓✓
Unlimited documents & file import✓✓
Unlimited daily writing goal✓✓
Markdown cheat sheet✓✓
LaTeX math & Mermaid diagrams✓✓
Visual editor — write without Markdown (7 days free)—✓
Focus & Typewriter mode—✓
Version history—✓
Export to HTML & EPUB—✓
Your own CSS for preview, PDF, EPUB & HTML—✓
24 app themes—✓
Custom device fonts—✓
External folders (local & iCloud Drive)—✓
Library backup, scheduled or on demand—✓
Coming from another editor?

Honest comparisons, including where they win

Every page below says plainly which cases the other app handles better. If it is the right tool for you, use it — these are here so you can tell.

Inkiostro vs UlyssesMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs BearMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs TyporaMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs iA WriterMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs ObsidianMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs InkdropMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs MarkTextMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs ZettlrMac · iPad · iPhoneInkiostro vs iA WriterAndroidInkiostro vs JotterPadAndroidInkiostro vs ObsidianAndroidInkiostro vs MarkorAndroid

Frequently asked questions

Is Inkiostro free?
Yes — Inkiostro is free to download, and everything you need to write is included: unlimited documents, file import, an unlimited daily goal, PDF export, 11 preview styles and the Markdown cheat sheet. Inkiostro Pro is an optional one-time upgrade that adds version history, Focus & Typewriter mode, HTML and EPUB export, your own CSS, external folders, 24 app themes and custom fonts.
Do I need to know Markdown?
No. Inkiostro has two ways to write: the Markdown editor, where you type the symbols and see them, and the Visual Editor (what some apps call WYSIWYG), where you see headings, bold, lists and tables as you write, like a word processor, and format with buttons. Either way the file stays plain Markdown, so you can switch whenever you like. The Visual Editor is part of Inkiostro Pro, with a free 7-day trial.
Does it work on iPad and Mac too?
Yes. Inkiostro is a native app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. On iPad and Mac you get the editor and live preview side by side, and iCloud keeps every document in sync across all your devices.
Does Inkiostro have a live preview?
Yes. Tap the preview button to see your document rendered in real time — headings, lists, quotes, tables and more — then switch back to editing instantly. Choose from 11 preview styles, all free.
Where are my documents stored?
Your documents are stored locally on your device and, if you enable iCloud, synchronized to your personal iCloud account, encrypted by Apple. They never pass through our servers.
Which formats can I export to?
PDF, HTML, plain text (TXT) and Markdown. For PDF you can add a title, header, footer, page numbers and adjust the margins — and it matches your preview theme and font.
Does Inkiostro collect any data?
No ads, no trackers, no account — ever. Inkiostro does collect anonymous, aggregated usage statistics (which features are used, how often the app opens) to decide what to improve; no personal data and no content of your documents ever leaves your device, and you can turn it off in Settings → Privacy. Your writing stays private on your device and in your iCloud.
Which languages are supported?
Inkiostro is available in 14 languages, including English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, Swedish and Dutch.
Is there a Markdown editor for Mac?
Yes — Inkiostro is a native Mac app as well as an iPhone and iPad app, from a single universal download. On macOS you get a full three-pane window with your files, the editor and the live preview side by side, and iCloud keeps every document in sync with your other devices.
What's the best free Markdown editor for iPhone?
Inkiostro is a free, distraction-free Markdown editor for iPhone with live preview, a formatting toolbar, iCloud sync and PDF export — no ads and no account. Everything you need to write is included for free; Inkiostro Pro is an optional upgrade.
Can I write Markdown on iPad?
Absolutely. On iPad, Inkiostro shows the editor and the live preview side by side with your files a tap away — ideal with a keyboard for long-form writing. Your documents sync with your iPhone and Mac through iCloud.
Can I write math formulas and diagrams?
Yes, on every device. Inkiostro renders LaTeX/KaTeX math — inline $…$ and block equations — and Mermaid diagrams (flowcharts, sequences and more) live as you write and in your exports, on Mac, iPad and iPhone.
What's the difference between the Mac and iOS versions?
Inkiostro on Mac is 100% native and the most advanced version: tabs, drag and drop from the Finder, printing, a document outline and a command palette. Everything else — LaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, EPUB and self-contained HTML export, version history, the Markdown cheat sheet — is now on iPhone and iPad too. New power features land on Mac first and then come to iOS, and iCloud keeps every document in sync.

Start writing.

Free on the App Store and on Google Play. Your first document is a plain .md file, and it stays one.

App StoreGoogle Play