StackEdit vs HedgeDoc vs HackMD vs Unmarkdown

The StackEdit vs HedgeDoc vs HackMD decision comes down to a simple question: how do you want to write markdown in a browser? Browser-based markdown editors let you start writing immediately, share documents with a link, and work from any device. In 2026, three online markdown editors stand out: StackEdit, HedgeDoc, and HackMD. Each occupies a different position in the market, from fully free and browser-only to self-hosted open source to commercial SaaS with team features.

This comparison breaks down what each tool does, how they differ, and where Unmarkdown™ fits as a publish-focused alternative.

StackEdit: the original browser markdown editor

StackEdit has been around since 2013, making it one of the oldest browser-based markdown editors still in use. Open it in your browser, start typing, and your documents are saved to your browser's local storage. No account required.

StackEdit supports standard markdown plus extensions for math (KaTeX), diagrams (Mermaid), and tables. The split-pane editor shows markdown on the left and a live preview on the right. It syncs with Google Drive, Dropbox, and GitHub, so your files can live in cloud storage rather than just in your browser. You can publish directly to Blogger, WordPress, and Medium.

The tool is free and open source (Apache 2.0 license). There is no paid tier, no premium features, and no commercial entity behind it.

Where StackEdit excels. Zero-friction markdown editing. No account, no install, no configuration. Open the URL and write. The cloud sync options (Google Drive, Dropbox, GitHub) are genuinely useful for keeping files accessible across devices. For quick markdown editing and preview, it is hard to beat the simplicity.

Where StackEdit struggles. Development has slowed considerably. The interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives. There is no real-time collaboration. No teams, no sharing, no commenting. The publishing destinations are limited to three blogging platforms. And crucially, StackEdit does not help you get markdown into workplace destinations like Google Docs, Word, Slack, or email with proper formatting.

Best for: Quick, no-setup markdown editing when you need a browser-based split-pane editor.

HedgeDoc: self-hosted collaborative markdown

HedgeDoc (formerly CodiMD) is the open-source, self-hosted option for teams that want collaborative markdown editing under their own control. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0, which means you can run it on your own servers with no licensing fees.

The core feature is real-time collaboration. Multiple people can edit the same document simultaneously, with changes appearing live for all participants. Each document gets a unique URL that you can share with collaborators. HedgeDoc supports standard markdown plus extensions for slide presentations (reveal.js), diagrams (Mermaid, Graphviz, Vega-Lite), math (MathJax), and embedded content.

The interface provides three view modes: edit (markdown only), view (preview only), and split (both side by side). You can toggle between these modes instantly. Documents can be published as read-only pages for wider distribution.

Where HedgeDoc excels. Full control over your data. HedgeDoc runs on your infrastructure, stores documents in your database, and keeps everything behind your firewall. For organizations with data residency requirements, compliance constraints, or a preference for self-hosted tools, this is the only option in this comparison that meets those needs. Real-time collaboration works well, and the extension support is solid.

Where HedgeDoc struggles. Self-hosting is both the strength and the weakness. You need to set up and maintain a server, configure a database (PostgreSQL or SQLite), manage updates, and handle backups. There is no managed cloud version of HedgeDoc. If you do not have the infrastructure team or the inclination to run your own server, HedgeDoc is not practical.

The published pages are functional but lack design polish. There are no templates, no custom styling, and no destination-specific formatting. The pages look like markdown rendered to HTML, which is fine for internal documentation but falls short when the audience expects professional presentation.

Best for: Teams that need self-hosted, real-time collaborative markdown editing with full data control.

HackMD: the commercial evolution

HackMD is the commercial cousin of HedgeDoc. It started from the same codebase (when the project was called CodiMD) but evolved into a separate product with team features, managed hosting, and commercial support.

The free tier gives you unlimited notes with real-time collaboration, which is remarkably generous. Premium plans add team workspaces, advanced permissions, version history, and integrations. Team+ at $16.67 per seat per month adds everything a team needs: shared workspaces, granular access controls, GitHub/GitLab integration, and team management.

HackMD's real-time collaboration is the strongest in this comparison. Multiple cursors, live presence indicators, and instant sync make it feel like Google Docs for markdown. The GitHub integration allows pushing notes to repositories and pulling from repos into HackMD, creating a bridge between collaborative editing and version-controlled documentation.

Where HackMD excels. The collaboration experience is polished and reliable. The free tier is generous enough for individual use and small teams. The GitHub integration is genuine two-way sync, not just export. For teams that need Google Docs-style real-time editing but want to work in markdown, HackMD delivers.

Where HackMD struggles. Per-seat pricing adds up quickly for larger teams. The published pages are clean but offer limited customization. There are no templates, no destination-specific formatting, and no multi-destination output. Like StackEdit and HedgeDoc, HackMD publishes exclusively to the web. If you need your collaborative markdown document in Google Docs, Word, or Slack, you are on your own for that last step.

Best for: Teams that need real-time collaborative markdown editing with managed hosting and GitHub integration.

Feature comparison: StackEdit vs HedgeDoc vs HackMD vs Unmarkdown

When to self-host, when to use SaaS, and when to focus on publishing

The choice between these tools depends on what you are optimizing for.

Optimize for simplicity: StackEdit. If you need a markdown editor in your browser right now with no setup, no account, and no cost, StackEdit is the fastest path. The trade-off is that you give up collaboration, modern features, and active development.

Optimize for data control: HedgeDoc. If your organization requires self-hosted infrastructure, data residency compliance, or full control over where documents live, HedgeDoc is the only option. The trade-off is operational overhead: you are running a server, managing a database, and handling updates yourself.

Optimize for team collaboration: HackMD. If real-time collaborative editing is the primary requirement and you want managed hosting, HackMD offers the most polished experience. The trade-off is per-seat pricing that scales with team size.

Optimize for publishing and output quality: Unmarkdown™. If your primary need is turning markdown into professionally styled documents for specific destinations, none of the other three tools address this. Unmarkdown™ does not compete on real-time collaboration or self-hosting. It competes on what happens after the markdown is written: formatting it for Google Docs, Word, Slack, OneNote, Email, or the web with 62 templates and AI editing.

The collaboration and publishing split in online markdown editors

The browser-based markdown editor landscape in 2026 reveals an interesting split. Tools that excel at collaboration (HackMD, HedgeDoc) have minimal publishing features. Tools that excel at publishing (Unmarkdown™) have minimal collaboration features. StackEdit occupies a legacy middle ground that does neither particularly well.

This split exists because collaboration and publishing are genuinely different problems. Real-time collaborative editing requires WebSocket connections, conflict resolution algorithms, cursor presence, and infrastructure for concurrent users. Multi-destination publishing requires destination-specific rendering engines, template systems, and deep knowledge of how Google Docs, Slack, Word, and email clients interpret HTML and CSS differently.

Building both well in one product is possible, but no tool in this space has done it yet. The practical result is that teams often use two tools: one for collaborative writing and another for final formatting and distribution.

For example, a common workflow might look like this:

1. Draft collaboratively in HackMD during a meeting
2. Copy the final markdown
3. Paste into Unmarkdown™
4. Apply a professional template, run a polish or simplify action
5. Copy for Google Docs and paste into the shared company drive, or publish as a web page and share the link

This two-step workflow adds one action to the process, but the output quality difference is significant. A HackMD published page looks like rendered markdown. An Unmarkdown™ published page looks like a professionally designed document.

The role of AI in online markdown tools

One dimension where these tools diverge sharply is AI integration. StackEdit, HedgeDoc, and HackMD were all built before the current wave of AI writing tools. None of them have meaningful AI features built in.

Unmarkdown™ includes 12 AI editing actions (polish, simplify, restructure, translate, extract actions, convert to table, and more) and an MCP server that lets AI assistants like Claude create and publish documents directly. The Chrome extension adds one-click formatting for markdown anywhere in the browser.

For teams that use AI tools to generate drafts, meeting notes, or internal documentation, having AI editing and publishing in the same tool eliminates an extra step in the workflow.

Choosing the right online markdown tool

Use StackEdit for quick, solo markdown editing with no setup. Bookmark it as your browser-based scratch pad.

Use HedgeDoc for self-hosted team collaboration where data control is non-negotiable.

Use HackMD for managed, real-time collaborative editing with solid GitHub integration.

Use Unmarkdown™ for publishing markdown to professional destinations. It handles the formatting, templates, and destination-specific optimization that the other tools skip.

The best approach for most teams is to combine a collaboration tool with a publishing tool. Write together in whatever works for your team. Publish through whatever handles your destinations. In 2026, those are still two separate tools, and understanding which is which saves you from expecting one tool to do everything.

Related reading

• Best Markdown Publishing Tools in 2026
• Internal Documentation Made Simple: Markdown for Small Teams
• Markdown for Startups: The Lean Writing Stack
• What is Markdown Publishing? (And Why It Matters in 2026)