MDViewer vs Simply Markdown
Two macOS Markdown viewers — different approaches to the same problem
Overview
Simply Markdown and MDViewer both serve the same core purpose: rendering Markdown files beautifully on macOS. Simply Markdown positions itself as a minimal, focused previewer — you write in one app, preview in Simply Markdown. MDViewer combines viewing, editing, and Git history in one app. It has a free Lite tier and a Pro tier ($9.99 one-time) with editing, Git history, and PDF export.
Quick Comparison
| MDViewer | Simply Markdown | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lite: Free / Pro: $9.99 | Paid |
| Framework | SwiftUI | Native macOS |
| Primary use | Viewer + editor | Preview-only companion |
| Inline editing | Yes | No |
| Git history & diff | Yes | No |
| QuickLook extension | .md, .json, .mermaid | No |
| Live reload on save | Yes | Yes — core feature |
| Table of contents | Smart TOC with scroll tracking | Yes |
| Tabs | Yes | No |
| Mermaid diagrams | Yes — interactive SVG | Yes |
| KaTeX math | Yes | Yes |
| GFM support | Full | Full |
| Export to PDF | Yes | No |
| Default .md handler | Yes | Yes |
Where Simply Markdown Has Its Niche
Live preview companion. Simply Markdown was designed for one workflow: you write Markdown in VS Code, Sublime Text, vim, or another editor, and Simply Markdown shows you a beautiful, real-time preview in a separate window. It watches the file and refreshes automatically on save. If that’s your exact workflow, Simply Markdown was purpose-built for it.
Minimalism. Simply Markdown doesn’t try to be an editor, a Git client, or a multi-format viewer. It’s a preview window. Some users prefer tools with a narrow, well-executed scope.
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. Simply Markdown is paid.
Self-contained workflow. MDViewer doesn’t need a separate editor. Double-click to edit, Cmd+S to save, Esc to return to reading. You can view and edit in the same window without switching apps.
Git history and diffs. MDViewer shows commit history and color-coded diffs for any .md file in a Git repo. Simply Markdown doesn’t interact with Git.
QuickLook. MDViewer includes a QuickLook extension — press Space in Finder to preview .md, .json, and .mermaid files. Simply Markdown doesn’t offer QuickLook integration.
Broader feature set. Tabs, PDF export, smart table of contents with scroll tracking, syntax highlighting — MDViewer includes features that cover more use cases without bloat. Both apps support Mermaid and KaTeX, but MDViewer adds interactive SVG zoom for diagrams.
Who Should Choose Simply Markdown
- Users who have a dedicated text editor and want a minimal, separate preview window
- People who value extreme simplicity and a focused tool
- Writers who don’t need Git integration, editing, or QuickLook
Who Should Choose MDViewer
- Developers who want viewing, editing, and Git history in one app
- Users who want QuickLook preview for .md files in Finder
- Anyone working with Mermaid diagrams or KaTeX math
- People who want a free Lite tier and affordable Pro ($9.99 one-time)
- Users who don’t want to maintain a two-app workflow for reading Markdown
The Bottom Line
Simply Markdown is a clean preview companion for people who write in external editors. MDViewer is a more complete tool that handles viewing, editing, and version history on its own.
If you already have a dedicated Markdown editor and just want a preview window, Simply Markdown is purpose-built for that. For everything else, MDViewer covers more ground — and MDViewer Lite is free, so you can try it without commitment.
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.