Markdown Editor
Edit markdown with live preview and professional export. Works offline, complete privacy. (AI assistance coming soon.)
How it works
- 1 Download FileHop Free · 181 MB · Mac & Windows
- 2 Open the folder with your files It opens like Finder or File Explorer.
- 3 Right-click your file Pick the tool you need — it runs instantly, on your device.
Just 181 MB
Why FileHop for Markdown Editing?
⚠️ Other Markdown Editors
- ⚠️ Setup and plugins needed for full features
- ⚠️ Export to DOCX/PDF often requires extras
- ⚠️ Grammar and style help rarely built in
- ⚠️ Manual export to other formats
- ⚠️ Paid tiers for sync or advanced features
✅ FileHop Markdown Editor
- ✓ Live preview as you type
- ✓ Clean tables, lists, and code blocks
- ✓ Professional DOCX/PDF export built-in
- ✓ 100% offline and private
- ✓ Free with no subscriptions
Write with live preview: See your formatting render as you type, then export to DOCX or PDF.
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you format text using simple, readable syntax. Created by John Gruber in 2004, it has become the standard for writing content on the web, in documentation, and in technical projects.
Instead of clicking toolbar buttons or memorizing complex formatting codes, markdown uses intuitive characters: # for headings, ** for bold, - for lists, and more. The result is plain text files that are easy to read, version-control, and convert to other formats like PDF, HTML, or Word documents.
Why Markdown Matters
Portable and Future-Proof
Markdown files are plain text (.md). They open in any text editor, on any platform, decades from now. No vendor lock-in or proprietary formats.
Used Everywhere
GitHub, Reddit, Stack Overflow, Notion, Obsidian, Slack, and thousands of tools support markdown. Learn it once, use it everywhere.
Version Control Friendly
Plain text diffs cleanly in Git. Track every change to your documents the same way developers track code changes.
Flexible Output
Convert markdown to PDF, DOCX, HTML, slides, or ebooks. One source file, many output formats.
Common Use Cases
- ✓ Technical documentation and README files
- ✓ Blog posts and web content
- ✓ Note-taking and knowledge management
- ✓ Academic papers and reports
- ✓ Presentations and slide decks
- ✓ Email newsletters and wikis
FileHop: FileHop makes markdown approachable. The live preview shows your formatting as you type, so basic syntax takes only a few minutes to pick up.
Common Markdown Examples
A quick reference for the syntax you'll use most
A section heading
## Section Title
A table with Name and Email columns
| Name | Email |
|------|-------|
Bold or italic text
**bold** and *italic*
A bullet list
- Item 1
- Item 2
Supported Markdown Features
Full compatibility with modern markdown standards and extensions
GitHub Flavored Markdown
GFM syntax: tables, strikethrough, autolinks, task lists
CommonMark Standard
100% compatible with the CommonMark specification
Mermaid Diagrams
Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, ER diagrams
LaTeX Math
Inline and block equations with full LaTeX syntax support
Tables
Standard tables with alignment, rendered in live preview
Code Blocks
Fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
Task Lists
Interactive checkboxes: - [ ] and - [x] syntax
Footnotes
Academic-style footnotes with automatic numbering
Front Matter
YAML metadata for title, author, date, and custom fields
Extended Syntax
Superscript, subscript, highlighting, definition lists
Why Choose FileHop Desktop?
Live Preview
See your formatting render as you type. Headings, bold, lists, and links appear instantly alongside your markdown. (AI-assisted authoring is coming soon.)
Tables & Code Blocks
Write markdown tables, lists, and fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting, all rendered live in the preview. (AI table generation is coming soon.)
Professional Export
One-click export to styled DOCX, professional PDF, or clean HTML. No separate conversion tools needed - everything is built in.
Mermaid & LaTeX
Render Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math directly in the editor, then carry them through to your exports.
100% Local
All editing and export happens on your computer. No cloud upload, no API calls, complete privacy. Works offline and your content stays yours.
Completely Free
No trials, no subscriptions, no limits. Unlimited markdown editing forever at zero cost.
Comparison: FileHop vs Other Markdown Editors
| Feature | Obsidian | Typora | VS Code | StackEdit | Notion | FileHop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Low | High | Moderate | Low | 5 minutes (live preview) |
| Syntax Knowledge | Required | Required | Required | Required | Not needed | Easy (live preview) |
| Table Creation | Manual or plugin | Manual syntax | Manual syntax | Manual syntax | GUI builder | Live preview editor |
| Offline Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (browser-based) | Limited | Yes (100% local) |
| Cloud Sync | Paid ($8/mo) | No | Settings only | Google Drive, Dropbox | Built-in | Local-first (no cloud) |
| Mermaid Diagrams | Yes (built-in) | Yes (built-in) | Extension required | Yes (UML support) | No | Yes (built-in) |
| LaTeX / Math | Plugin required | Yes (built-in) | Extension required | Yes (KaTeX) | Yes (KaTeX) | Yes (built-in) |
| Plugin Ecosystem | 1000+ community plugins | Themes only | Extensive extensions | None | Integrations | Built-in features (no plugins needed) |
| File Format | Plain .md files | Plain .md files | Plain .md files | Proprietary + export | Proprietary database | Plain .md files |
| Grammar Check | Plugin required | No | Extension required | No | Built-in (basic) | Coming soon |
| DOCX / PDF Export | Plugin required | Built-in (basic) | Extension required | PDF, HTML | Built-in | Professional styling |
| AI Assistance | Paid plugins | None | Copilot (paid) | None | Built-in (paid) | Coming soon (local) |
| Privacy | Local files | Local files | Local files | Cloud-based | Cloud-based | 100% local (no cloud) |
| Price | Free (sync $8/mo) | $14.99 (one-time) | Free | Free (Pro $5/mo) | Free (Pro $10/mo) | Free |
Perfect For
Writers
Focus on content with live preview handling the formatting. Perfect for articles, books, and content creation.
Students
Write essays and papers with live preview, then export to Word. Markdown basics take only minutes to learn.
Business Users
Create professional documents and reports with live preview and easy DOCX export.
Beginners
Live preview makes markdown approachable. Basic syntax takes only a few minutes to learn.
Do I need to learn markdown syntax?
Markdown is quick to pick up, and FileHop's live preview shows your formatting as you type. Basic syntax (headings, bold, lists, tables) takes only a few minutes to learn. (AI-assisted authoring that writes markdown for you is coming soon.)
How is this different from other markdown editors?
FileHop pairs a live-preview editor with built-in professional DOCX/PDF export, plus Mermaid and LaTeX rendering - no plugins or setup needed. It's free, offline, and private.
Does it run locally?
Yes! 100% local processing on your computer. No cloud upload, no API calls, complete privacy. Works offline and your content never leaves your device.
Can I write markdown manually?
Yes! Write markdown syntax directly and watch it render in the live preview. The editor is built for both quick formatting and full manual control.
What features are included?
Live preview, tables, code blocks with syntax highlighting, Mermaid diagrams, LaTeX math, and professional DOCX/PDF/HTML export. All free and local. (AI assistance is coming soon.)
Is it really free?
Yes! Free with no trials, no file limits, no watermarks, and no subscriptions. Unlimited markdown editing at no cost.
Can I export to Word or PDF?
Yes! Export to professional DOCX, styled PDF, or clean HTML with one click. No need for separate conversion tools - everything is built in.
Does it work offline?
Yes! Complete offline support. Edit markdown and export without an internet connection. Perfect for travel, flights, or privacy-conscious work.
Can I use FileHop as an online markdown editor?
FileHop is a desktop application, not an online markdown editor. This means your documents stay on your computer with complete privacy - no cloud uploads, no accounts required. You get better performance, offline capability, and a live-preview editor that runs locally. Download the free app for Mac, Windows.
Does FileHop work on Mac?
Yes! FileHop runs natively on Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows (10/11). The app is optimized for each platform with native performance and a consistent editing experience across all operating systems.
Can I convert markdown to PDF in FileHop?
Yes! FileHop includes built-in markdown to PDF export with professional styling. Your markdown files convert to beautifully formatted PDFs with proper typography, code highlighting, and table formatting. No external tools or subscriptions needed.
Does FileHop support GitHub Flavored Markdown?
Yes! FileHop fully supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) including tables, strikethrough, autolinks, task lists, and fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting. Your documents are 100% compatible with GitHub, GitLab, and other platforms.
Ready to Edit Markdown?
Live preview, professional export, complete privacy. Markdown basics take only minutes to learn.
Download FileHop FreeMac & Windows • 100% local • No subscription