HackMD

HackMD is a web workspace for Markdown notes, collaboration, and publishing. It is strongest for teams that want live co-editing alongside Git hosting or agent workflows. Unlimited notes on the free plan are appealing, though tight image and API quotas and limited version history constrain heavier use.

Overview

HackMD brings shared Markdown writing and publishing into one workspace. Teams can review and edit content together, then publish it or roll it back; public notes, shared workspaces, embeds, and slide mode extend it to community-facing work. Multiple cursors, comments, mentions, and templates make collaboration more capable than a solo editor, but limited version history is a real compromise for projects that need a deep revision record.

GitHub and GitLab integrations, a REST API, and a CLI connect notes to developer workflows. Agents can retrieve notes as Markdown and push generated drafts back, with support for Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Actions, OpenAI, and tools that speak Markdown. HackMD says Markdown uses up to 80% fewer tokens than equivalent HTML and its API already powers over 1 million calls. Those capabilities matter most to users already building around these tools, rather than anyone seeking only a basic note editor.

Offline access is supported, but HackMD's platform coverage is web, and PDF is the stated export format. It displays SOC 2 certification. Support includes a knowledge base, community, and standard email support, with priority support for Enterprise; users can contact support by email or Discord.

Key features

Collaboration and publishing

Real-time editing, comments, mentions, shared templates, and note sharing let a team develop documents in one place. Publishing workflows support review, revision, release, and rollback, while public notes and slide mode suit material intended for a wider audience. The trade-off is limited version history: teams with strict archival needs may prefer a tool centered on document history.

Developer and agent workflows

GitHub, GitLab, REST API, and CLI support make HackMD a practical fit for teams that want Markdown notes to move between people, repositories, and agent tools. Agents can pull notes and return drafts, which is more useful than a simple export when automated workflows are part of the process. API quotas differ sharply by plan, however, so frequent automation may push users toward Prime.

Pricing

HackMD is freemium. The free plan is free forever and includes unlimited notes, up to 3 teammates, 3 invitees, 3 custom templates, 20 GitHub pushes per month, uploads up to 1 MB per image, and 400 API calls per month. That is a generous starting point for small teams, but image-heavy work and frequent API use can hit limits quickly.

Prime costs $5 a month, billed annually; the pricing display also shows $15/month total and a 37.5% saving. It raises the image upload limit to 20 MB and includes 20,000 API calls per month. Prime is the clearer fit for teams with larger assets or more demanding integrations; the annual billing term is worth weighing before upgrading.

Enterprise has custom pricing. It adds role-based access control, SSO, custom domains, a custom homepage, custom login options, self-hosting, and a dedicated account manager. Organizations that need centralized identity or access controls have a reason to consider it; smaller groups can remain on Free or Prime without those controls.

Platforms

HackMD is a web product, with offline access supported. PDF is the stated export format. Readers seeking a dedicated desktop application should look at alternatives with Linux, macOS, or Windows support.

Who it's for

HackMD suits teams writing technical or community-facing material in Markdown, especially where GitHub, GitLab, APIs, or agent tools are already part of the workflow. Free is a sensible entry point for smaller groups with modest image and API needs. It is less compelling for solo desktop writers, or teams that require extensive version history.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Unlimited free notes and real-time collaboration make it possible for small teams to share work without an initial subscription.
• Pro: Git integrations, API, CLI, and agent support connect Markdown notes to development and automated drafting workflows.
• Pro: Publishing, public notes, embeds, and slide mode cover uses beyond private note-taking.
• Con: Free image uploads stop at 1 MB per image and API use at 400 calls per month, which can constrain media-rich or automated projects.
• Con: Version history is limited, making it a weaker choice when a substantial revision archive is important.
• Con: Web is the listed platform, so users who want a desktop-native editor may find a better fit elsewhere.

Alternatives

StackEdit is a free, open-source web option for readers who want to avoid a paid plan. MarkText is free and open source, with Linux, macOS, and Windows apps and no account or subscription. HedgeDoc is a free, open-source choice for users who want self-hosting as well as web access. Ghostwriter is free and open source on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Dillinger is a free web alternative with no signup, paywall, or usage limits stated. Zettlr is free, open-source software for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Markra offers free core features across Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, with AI features requiring a configured provider. Muesli is a free, open-source option available on web, desktop, API, and self-hosted setups.

For broader comparisons, browse Markdown editors, Writing Apps, Collaborative Document Software, Document Collaboration Software, or Note-taking apps.

Verdict

Choose HackMD if your team wants shared Markdown writing that connects to Git hosting, publishing, or agent workflows, and the free limits cover your needs. Its main advantage is bringing collaboration and developer-facing integrations together around Markdown. Look elsewhere if desktop software or a fuller version history matters more, or move to Prime when image and API quotas become a bottleneck.