MDViewer vs Marked 2

Overview

Marked 2 has been a go-to Markdown previewer on Mac for over a decade. It’s a polished, well-known app with a loyal user base. MDViewer is a newer alternative that takes a different approach — combining viewing, editing, and Git history in one native app. It has a free Lite tier and a Pro tier ($9.99 one-time) with editing, Git history, and PDF export.

Both are macOS-native and both focus on reading Markdown rather than writing it from scratch. But they differ in philosophy, features, and price.

Quick Comparison

Where Marked 2 Wins

Writing analysis tools. Marked 2 includes Fog Index, Flesch-Kincaid readability scoring, word/sentence counts, and tips for simplifying sentences. If you’re writing prose — blog posts, books, documentation — these tools are genuinely useful. MDViewer doesn’t have writing analysis.

Custom themes and CSS. Marked 2 lets you apply custom CSS stylesheets to change how your Markdown renders. You can create themes that match your blog, your company docs, or your personal preference. MDViewer uses system light/dark mode only.

Third-party editor integration. Marked 2 was designed to pair with external editors. It watches your file and updates the preview every time you save. It integrates deeply with Scrivener, Ulysses, Highland 2, and others. If you already have a writing tool and just need a preview window, Marked 2 was purpose-built for that workflow.

Export formats. Marked 2 exports to HTML, Word (.docx), PDF, and RTF. MDViewer exports to PDF only.

Older macOS support. Marked 2 runs on macOS 10.13+. MDViewer requires macOS 13.0+. If you’re on an older Mac, Marked 2 is the only option.

Where MDViewer Wins

Price. MDViewer Lite is free with core viewing features (Markdown rendering, Mermaid, syntax highlighting, QuickLook, TOC, dark mode). Pro costs $9.99 one-time and adds editing, Git history, PDF export, and unlimited tabs. Marked 2 costs $13.99 on the Mac App Store (or is included in a Setapp subscription).

Built-in editing. MDViewer lets you double-click any word to enter edit mode, make changes, and save with Cmd+S. You don’t need a separate editor. Marked 2 is strictly a previewer — you need another app to edit.

Git history and diffs. MDViewer can browse the Git commit history of any .md file and show color-coded diffs between versions. This is unique among Markdown viewers and invaluable for developers working with README.md, CHANGELOG.md, or documentation in Git repos.

Mermaid diagrams. MDViewer renders Mermaid diagrams as interactive SVGs with zoom and pan. Marked 2 doesn’t support Mermaid natively — you’d need to set up a custom preprocessor.

QuickLook extension. MDViewer includes a QuickLook extension for .md, .json, and .mermaid files. Press Space in Finder to preview without opening the app. Marked 2 doesn’t offer QuickLook.

Modern architecture. MDViewer is built with SwiftUI, launches instantly, and uses minimal memory. It’s designed for modern macOS.

Who Should Choose Marked 2

• Writers and authors who use Scrivener, Ulysses, or Highland and need a live preview companion
• People who need readability scoring and writing analytics
• Users who want custom CSS themes for different rendering styles
• Anyone on macOS 10.13–12 who can’t run MDViewer

Who Should Choose MDViewer

• Developers who work with Git repos and want to see file history and diffs
• Anyone who wants both viewing and editing in one app
• Users who read Mermaid diagrams (architecture docs, flowcharts)
• People who want a free Lite tier and affordable Pro ($9.99 one-time)
• Users who want QuickLook preview for .md files in Finder

Pricing Comparison

Marked 2 costs $13.99 on the Mac App Store as a one-time purchase. It is also available through Setapp ($9.99/month subscription that includes 240+ apps). There is no free tier or trial — you buy it or use Setapp.

MDViewer Lite is free with core viewing features. Pro costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase and adds editing, Git history, PDF export, file tree, and unlimited tabs.

If you already have a Setapp subscription, Marked 2 is effectively free for you. Otherwise, MDViewer Lite gives you viewing, Mermaid, and QuickLook at no cost — and Pro adds editing and Git history for less than Marked 2’s price.

Performance Comparison

Both MDViewer and Marked 2 are native macOS apps — neither uses Electron. However, they use different frameworks:

Both apps are lightweight compared to Electron-based alternatives. Marked 2 uses more memory partly because of its writing analysis engine and custom preprocessor pipeline. For pure viewing, MDViewer is leaner.

Working with AI-Generated Markdown

AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and GitHub Copilot produce Markdown output constantly — code explanations, API documentation, analysis reports, meeting summaries. This creates a workflow where you receive .md files and need to read them quickly.

MDViewer fits this workflow naturally. Drag a file from Downloads, and it renders in under a second. The smart table of contents helps navigate long AI-generated documents. When you get multiple files, tabs keep them organized in one window. If the AI got something wrong, double-click to edit inline — no need to open a separate editor.

Marked 2 can preview these files, but its core strengths — writing analysis, editor integration, custom themes — don’t help when you’re just reading. Marked 2 was designed for writers previewing their own work, not for reading documents generated by someone (or something) else.

The Bottom Line

Marked 2 is a mature, well-designed previewer built for writers who work in external editors. MDViewer is a modern viewer-editor built for developers who work with Markdown in Git repos.

If your workflow is “write in Scrivener, preview in Marked” — Marked 2 does that better. If your workflow is “open .md files, read them, sometimes edit, check Git history” — MDViewer is the better fit. MDViewer Lite is free, so there’s no reason not to try both.

FAQ

Is MDViewer a Marked 2 replacement?

For developers, yes. MDViewer does everything Marked 2 does for reading Markdown, plus adds editing, Git history, Mermaid diagrams, and QuickLook. For writers who rely on Marked 2’s readability scores and editor integration, MDViewer is a complement rather than a replacement.

Does Marked 2 support Mermaid diagrams?

Not natively. You can set up a custom preprocessor to render Mermaid, but it requires configuration. MDViewer renders Mermaid out of the box as interactive SVGs with zoom and pan.

Can I use Marked 2 with MDViewer?

Yes. They don’t conflict. You could use MDViewer as your default .md handler for quick viewing and Marked 2 when you need its writing analysis tools or a specific custom theme.

Is Marked 2 still being updated?

Yes, as of 2026. Marked 2 receives periodic updates from its developer, Brett Terpstra. It has been actively maintained since 2013.

Try MDViewer

MDViewer Lite is free. Pro adds editing, Git history, and PDF export for $9.99. Download and see if it fits your workflow.

Requires macOS 13.0 or later. Intel and Apple Silicon.