MacDown 3000

Free plan Mac

What MacDown 3000 is

MacDown 3000 is a free Markdown editor for macOS, designed for working with local files and previewing rendered documents as you write. It supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown, including task lists, and uses Hoedown to turn Markdown into HTML. Code blocks can be fenced and highlighted with Prism; rendering options are available in Preferences. The editor also handles TeX-like math notation and Jekyll front matter. Editing aids include configurable bracket and quote pairing, list continuation, and formatting shortcuts. Finished documents can be exported to HTML or PDF with customizable styling. The software is released under the MIT License, and contributions are welcome. The listed stable release is 3000.0.7, available as a 7.8 MB download; an 8.8 MB pre-release, 3000.0.8-rc.1, may include experimental features or bugs. The FAQ notes that VIM mode is not available. The site also provides a Homebrew cask installation command and directs questions and suggestions to its GitHub issue tracker.

Who it suits

MacDown 3000 suits macOS users who write Markdown in local files and want a live preview, editing shortcuts, and HTML or PDF export. It also fits writers who use fenced code, math notation, task lists, or Jekyll front matter.

What it does well

Live preview with configurable rendering options
Exports to HTML and PDF with styling controls
Supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown
Includes syntax highlighting through Prism

What to know first

Available only for macOS
Does not include VIM mode

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	macOS 11.0+ · Apple Silicon and Intel	Free

As macdown.app lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Download the stable release from https://macdown.app/
Install with the provided Homebrew cask command: brew install --cask macdown-3000
Open a local Markdown file and use the live preview while editing
Export the document to HTML or PDF and adjust its styling options

Verdict

MacDown 3000 combines local Markdown editing, a live preview, and export options in a free macOS editor. Writers who need VIM mode should note that it is not available.

Questions

How much does MacDown 3000 cost?

The Free plan costs nothing for macOS 11.0+ on Apple Silicon and Intel.

Which platforms does it support?

MacDown 3000 supports macOS.

Can it export documents?

Yes. It exports to HTML or PDF, with customizable styling options.

Is MacDown 3000 open source?

It is Free Software released under the MIT License, and contributions are welcome.

Does it have VIM mode?

No. Its FAQ says VIM mode is not available.

Facts from MacDown 3000's own pages

Additional formats: It supports TeX-like math notation, GitHub Flavored Markdown task lists, and Jekyll front matter. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Donations: Donations help cover the Apple developer license, listed at $99 per year, and proceeds beyond maintenance costs go to the Signal Foundation. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Download: The site lists stable release 3000.0.7 as a 7.8 MB download and pre-release 3000.0.8-rc.1 as an 8.8 MB download; the pre-release may contain experimental features or bugs. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Editing assistance: It provides configurable bracket and quote pairing, list continuation, and formatting shortcuts. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Export: It exports documents to HTML or PDF with customizable styling options. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Export formats: HTML,PDF · macdown.app, 20 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · macdown.app, 20 Sept 2026
Installation: The site provides a Homebrew cask installation command: brew install --cask macdown-3000. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
License: MacDown 3000 is Free Software released under the MIT License, and contributions are welcome. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Local file support: Yes · macdown.app, 20 Sept 2026
Markdown rendering: It uses Hoedown to convert Markdown to HTML and provides a live preview, fenced code blocks, and rendering options in Preferences. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Markdown standards: It supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: The FAQ says MacDown 3000 does not have VIM mode. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Platforms: The universal binary requires macOS 11.0 or later and runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Publishing workflow: static_site · macdown.app, 20 Sept 2026
Purpose: MacDown 3000 is a free, lightweight Markdown editor for macOS. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Support: The site directs questions, problems, and suggestions to the GitHub issue tracker. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026
Syntax highlighting: Code blocks get syntax highlighting via Prism for programming and markup languages. · macdown.app, 8 Oct 2026

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