What is StackEdit?
StackEdit is a free Markdown editor that runs in your web browser at stackedit.io. There is no signup and no install. You write Markdown on the left and see the formatted result on the right, sync files to Google Drive, Dropbox or GitHub, and export to PDF, Word, HTML or raw Markdown.
🏆 Our Verdict
StackEdit is a versatile, web-based Markdown editor designed for writers, developers, and professionals who need a powerful, browser-friendly tool for creating and managing documents. With its seamless cloud integration, live preview feature, and support for advanced Markdown formatting, StackEdit is a must-have for those seeking a reliable and accessible Markdown editor. While it stops short of live co-editing, its wide range of export options and intuitive interface make it a standout choice for individual users.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros
- Web-Based and Lightweight: No installation required; accessible directly from your browser.
- Live Markdown Preview: Instantly see formatted content alongside your code.
- Cloud Integration: Sync with Google Drive, Dropbox, and GitHub for easy document management.
- Export Versatility: Save files as PDF, Word, HTML, or raw Markdown.
- Extensive Markdown Features: Supports tables, footnotes, and mathematical expressions.
- Free to Use: No hidden fees or premium features.
Cons
- Tied To One Browser: Offline writing works once the page has loaded, but documents sit in that browser’s storage until you connect Google Drive, Dropbox or GitHub.
- No Live Co-Editing: Collaborators share a workspace and StackEdit merges changes made at the same time, but you never see another person’s cursor as they type.
- Basic UI Design: The interface feels dated compared to modern editors.
- Learning Curve: Advanced features may overwhelm beginners.
- Dependency on Browser: Limited functionality on mobile browsers.
📖 About
StackEdit is a free, open-source Markdown editor accessible entirely from your web browser. Designed for both beginners and power users, it provides a feature-rich environment for creating and managing Markdown documents. With integrations for cloud storage and Git-based platforms, StackEdit simplifies workflows for developers, writers, and students who rely on Markdown for structured writing.
🗓️ How It Works
1. Access the Editor
Open StackEdit at https://stackedit.io/ on any modern browser.
2. Create a New Document
Start writing in Markdown, using the live preview panel to see formatted content in real time.
3. Organize and Sync Files
Sync your documents with Google Drive, Dropbox, or GitHub for easy access and version control.
4. Use Advanced Markdown Features
Add tables, equations, or footnotes for detailed documentation.
5. Export Your Work
Save files in various formats, including PDF, Word, and HTML.
6. Publish Online
Publish directly to platforms like WordPress or export to GitHub Pages for web-based content.
💲 Pricing Overview
StackEdit is completely free to use. All features, including cloud synchronization and export options, are available without any subscription fees or hidden costs.
LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP SOLUTION TO YOUR GROWTH NEEDS?
🥊 Competition
| Feature | StackEdit | Dillinger |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Offline Access | Yes, once the page has loaded | No |
| Cloud Integration | Supports Google Drive, Dropbox, GitHub | Supports Dropbox and GitHub |
| Live Markdown Preview | Yes | Yes |
| Collaboration | Limited | Limited |
| Customization | Advanced features for Markdown formatting | Basic customization |
| Ease of Use | Requires some learning curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Export Options | Extensive (PDF, Word, HTML, Markdown) | Limited to Markdown export |
📌 Conclusion
StackEdit is a powerful and versatile Markdown editor that caters to users seeking a web-based solution for writing and managing structured documents. Its robust feature set, including live preview, cloud integration, and export options, makes it an excellent choice for developers and writers. Although it stops short of live co-editing, StackEdit remains a top contender for those prioritizing accessibility and efficiency.
StackEdit: Markdown Made Simple, Anywhere, Anytime
How StackEdit fits a 2026 writing workflow
StackEdit runs in the browser and stores files in localStorage by default, so closing the tab keeps the current draft intact. Connecting Google Drive, Dropbox, or GitHub turns it into a multi-device editor without installing anything locally. The split-pane preview re-renders on each keystroke, and tables, fenced code, KaTeX math, and Mermaid diagrams all render without plugin setup.
Offline use works through the PWA install. Click the install button in the browser address bar and StackEdit launches in its own window, similar to a native desktop app. Pricing stayed free for personal use in 2026. The Pro tier at $4.99 a month removes ads and adds Couchbase sync for teams, which is the main thing missing from the free build.
Exporting and publishing from StackEdit
Writing is only half the job. StackEdit exports a finished document as Markdown, HTML, or a styled PDF, so the same draft can go to a static site, a CMS, or a client without reformatting. The HTML export keeps the rendered headings, tables, and code blocks intact, which saves a cleanup pass when you paste into a page builder.
StackEdit also publishes straight to external services. You can connect WordPress, Blogger, Zendesk, or a GitHub Gist and push the current file to it, then update the same target later instead of copying text by hand. For teams that draft in Markdown but ship to a hosted blog, that publish step is what makes a browser editor practical rather than a scratchpad. Files stay in your linked Google Drive or Dropbox folder, so the source of truth is a plain .md file you own.
Related read: StackEdit runs in the browser for quick Markdown editing. If you want a Markdown notebook that keeps notes on your own machine and works offline, Boostnote covers similar ground for developers.
StackEdit FAQ: cost, accounts, offline use and where your files live
The sections above cover what StackEdit does. These are the questions that decide whether you open it or close the tab. All four were checked against stackedit.io in September 2026.
Is StackEdit free, and is there a paid tier?
It is free, and there is no paid tier to upgrade to. StackEdit is open source under the Apache License, written by Benoit Schweblin, and nothing is held back behind a subscription. Cloud sync, the export formats, LaTeX maths, UML diagrams and the publishing integrations all come with the free editor. There is no account tier that unlocks more.
Do I need to sign up before I can write?
No. Open stackedit.io and start typing. You only sign in when you want the editor to reach something outside the browser: linking Google Drive, Dropbox or GitHub so your documents sync, or connecting Blogger, WordPress or Zendesk so you can publish a draft straight from the editor. Skip both and StackEdit never asks who you are.
Does StackEdit work without an internet connection?
Yes, once the page has loaded. StackEdit’s own wording is that it lets you write offline just like a desktop application, so a flight or a dead hotel connection does not stop you drafting. What stops is syncing: changes queue in the browser and go up to Drive, Dropbox or GitHub the next time you are online.
Where do my files live, and who else can see them?
Until you connect a provider, they live in that one browser’s storage on that one machine, so clearing site data clears your work. Connect Google Drive, Dropbox or GitHub and the files become ordinary files in your own account. Sharing is by workspace: collaborators you invite can edit and comment, and StackEdit merges changes made at the same time, though you will not watch another person’s cursor move.