Side by side
Markpad vs Notula
Both stand on markdown editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose Markpad if you want a free, open-source desktop Markdown editor with synchronized preview and support for formulas and diagrams. Look elsewhere if you need a product with a free trial; Markpad has no trial.
Visit Markpad
Free plan ExtensioniPhoneLinux+2
Notula combines local Markdown editing with Git-aware review and optional AI-assisted changes. Its separate Meet extension adds caption transcription, while the workflow remains file-based rather than cloud-synchronized.
Visit NotulaThe facts
| Markpad | Notula | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Extension, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Markpad | Not published |
| Website | markpad.dev | notula.org |
| On markdown editors | #13 of 31 | #17 of 31 |
Markpad: what it does well
- Free and open source under a BSD-3-Clause license
- Supports GitHub-style Markdown, KaTeX, and Mermaid diagrams
- Synchronized side-by-side editor and preview
- Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Exports HTML and prints to PDF
What to know first
- No free trial is offered
- Installation routes vary by operating system
Notula: what it does well
- Free plans with no account or server
- Local files remain ordinary Markdown
- Broad Git hosting and repository support
- Review comments and document history
- Meet extension supports 31 languages
What to know first
- No cloud sync
- Desktop support listed only for Windows and macOS
- Project is described as early-stage
- Source code is private
Alternatives to Markpad Alternatives to Notula The whole list