HackMD

HackMD is a web-based Markdown workspace for people and teams who write together, publish notes, or connect content to developer tools. Its strongest case is the mix of live collaboration and GitHub, API, and CLI workflows; limited version history and modest free quotas matter for heavier use.

Overview

HackMD combines Markdown note writing with real-time team editing and publishing. Collaborators can use multiple cursors, comments, mentions, templates, and version history, then review, edit, publish, or roll back content. Public notes, shared workspaces, embeds, and slide mode extend it to community and presentation use.

GitHub and GitLab integrations, a REST API, and a CLI let teams connect notes to software workflows. Agents can pull notes as Markdown and push generated drafts back. HackMD supports Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Actions, OpenAI, and tools that speak Markdown. The company says Markdown content can use up to 80% fewer tokens than equivalent HTML and that its API has powered more than 1 million calls. These capabilities make HackMD particularly relevant to technical teams already working with those tools.

Offline access is supported, and notes can be exported as PDF. The listed platform is web, however, so desktop-focused writers may prefer a dedicated desktop editor. Version history is limited, which is a real constraint for teams that need a deep revision archive.

Key features

Collaboration and publishing

Live editing, comments, mentions, and shared templates give teams a common place to develop notes. Publishing tools support a workflow from review and editing through publication and rollback, which suits collaborative documentation better than a writing tool centered on individual drafts.

Developer integrations and agents

GitHub, GitLab, the REST API, and CLI provide several routes between notes and development work. Agents can retrieve Markdown notes and return drafts, making HackMD a practical fit for teams that want content in those workflows. The free plan's 400 monthly API calls and 20 monthly GitHub pushes may be restrictive for frequent automation; Prime raises the API allowance to 20,000 calls per month.

Community use

Public notes, shared workspaces, embeds, and slide mode support sharing and presenting work beyond a private team. HackMD reports 1 million users, 30,000 teams, activity in 170 countries, and 7.7 million notes.

Pricing

Free

Free costs nothing, billed free forever. It includes unlimited notes, up to 3 teammates, 3 invitees, 3 custom templates, 20 GitHub pushes per month, 1 MB per image, and 400 API calls per month. That is a useful starting point for small groups and light integrations, but the image size and API limits may quickly pinch teams that share larger assets or automate heavily.

Prime

Prime is $5 a month, billed annually. The plan shows “Save 37.5%” and a total of $15/month. It increases the image upload limit to 20 MB per image and includes 20,000 API calls per month, making it the clearer fit for teams that need larger uploads or substantially more API capacity. The free plan keeps unlimited notes, so the paid step is chiefly compelling for these higher limits.

Enterprise

Enterprise has custom pricing. It adds role-based access control, SSO, custom domains, a custom homepage, a dedicated account manager, and self-hosting. Organizations needing those controls or deployment options should consider it; smaller teams can start with Free or Prime. Enterprise includes priority support.

Support also includes a knowledge base, community, and standard email support; users can contact HackMD by email or Discord. HackMD displays SOC 2 certification.

Platforms

HackMD is listed for web and supports offline access. PDF is the listed export format. The web-only platform coverage may not suit writers looking for a native desktop app, even though offline access is supported.

Who it's for

HackMD suits teams that need shared Markdown notes, live editing, and a path from drafting to publishing. It is especially well matched to developer groups that want GitHub or GitLab connections, API access, CLI workflows, or agent-assisted drafting. Individuals can use the unlimited-note free plan, while teams sharing large images or making frequent API calls have a reason to consider Prime. Organizations seeking SSO, self-hosting, or role-based access control should look at Enterprise.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Unlimited notes on the free plan make it possible to build a substantial collection without a note-count ceiling.
• Pro: Real-time editing, comments, mentions, templates, and publishing tools support a shared writing process from review through release.
• Pro: GitHub, GitLab, REST API, and CLI integrations give technical teams multiple ways to connect notes with development workflows.
• Con: Free image uploads stop at 1 MB per image, which can be tight for image-heavy notes.
• Con: The free plan's 400 API calls and 20 GitHub pushes per month limit how much automation a team can run without upgrading.
• Con: Version history is limited, making HackMD a weaker fit when extensive revision archives are central to the work.
• Con: Web is the only listed platform, so desktop-app users may want another editor.

Alternatives

StackEdit is a free, open-source web editor; choose it if that combination is a better fit. PanWriter is a free, open-source option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, so it suits readers who want a desktop platform. MarkText is free and open source, with no account or subscription; consider it if those terms are the priority. HedgeDoc is free, open-source, and available as self-hosted software or on the web; it is an alternative for readers who want those deployment choices. Ghostwriter is a free, open-source option for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Dillinger is a free web option with no signup, paywall, or usage limits. Zettlr is free, open-source desktop software for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Muesli is a free, open-source service available across web, desktop, API, and self-hosted platforms.

For broader comparisons, browse Markdown editors, Writing Apps, Collaborative Document Software, Document Collaboration Software, and Note-taking apps.

Verdict

Choose HackMD if your team wants collaborative Markdown notes that can move into publishing and developer workflows through GitHub, APIs, or the CLI. Unlimited free notes and a strong collaboration feature set make it a capable starting point, while Prime addresses the free plan's tight image and API quotas. Look elsewhere if you need a desktop app or substantial version history; organizations that require SSO or self-hosting should expect custom-priced Enterprise.