Comparison

MDash vs Amber

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MDash

This app offers a live split-view editor for Markdown with real-time preview and syntax highlighting. It also supports Mermaid diagram rendering directly within documents, allowing for efficient text formatting and creation of visual aids.

Highlights
  • Live split-view Markdown editing
  • Real-time preview with syntax highlighting
  • Mermaid diagram rendering
  • Export to MD, TXT, or PDF
  • Auto-save functionality
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

MDash is a Markdown editor that keeps your notes as plain text on your device. No lock-in, no account, no sync you did not ask for. Write on iPhone, iPad and now Mac — the full workspace on every screen. MARKDOWN, RENDERED LIVE Type plain Markdown and watch the preview update as you type: headings, lists, task checkboxes, tables, code blocks with syntax awareness, links and images. Show the text, the preview, or both side by side. MERMAID DIAGRAMS — FREE FOR EVERYONE Describe a flowchart, sequence diagram, Gantt chart, class diagram or state machine in plain text and MDash draws it instantly. Rendering is built into the app: no network, nothing leaves your device. ON MAC AND APPLE WATCH The complete MDash workspace runs on macOS — a three-column library, keyboard-first editing and the same live preview and Mermaid rendering. On Apple Watch, browse your library and read any note on your wrist. One purchase covers iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch. YOUR LIBRARY, ORGANIZED • Pinned notes, Last 7 Days, and Trash with restore • Full-text search across every note, with jump to match • In-document find and replace with match highlighting • Attach photos to notes; files stay ordinary Markdown • Folders keep related notes together; create one right from the sidebar • Tags under the title, a Tags section in the sidebar, and search by tag • Smart folders collect notes automatically from the tags you choose • Scan documents into a note, and search the text inside photos and scans — on device, free • Import from Obsidian, Bear, Apple Notes, TextBundle or any folder of Markdown files — free • Version History keeps earlier versions of every note on device, ready to restore — free EXPORT AND SHARE • Export Markdown and plain text — free • Copy as rich text for mail and documents • PDF, HTML, Word (DOCX), ePub, RTF, JPG and TextBundle export with MDash Pro MDASH PRO — ONE PURCHASE, EVERY DEVICE A single one-time purchase unlocks iCloud sync across your devices, export to PDF, HTML, Word, ePub and more, and watermark-free Mermaid diagrams. No subscription. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Notes are stored on device; sync is optional and uses your iCloud. Mermaid rendering is local. There is no tracking and no account. Questions or ideas? Leave a review or reach out through the App Store page — MDash is built by an independent developer and shaped by user feedback.

About

Amber

A Markdown notes app designed for efficient writing and a clear reading experience. Organize notes in folders, search your library, and sync across Apple devices. Includes built-in tutorials for easy onboarding.

Highlights
  • Markdown styling as you type
  • Folder organization
  • Fast writing and calm reading view
  • Search across library
  • Photo attachments
  • iCloud syncing across devices
Features
Read full description

Your writing should stay yours—and remain easy to open with other tools. Amber is a Markdown document app that stores regular .md files in iCloud Drive. You can see the originals in the Files app on iPhone and iPad or in Finder on Mac, so your work never depends on a proprietary document format. Natural to write, clear to read Markdown markers appear when you need them, while headings, lists, quotes, links, images, checkboxes, and code blocks stay easy to read. Reading Mode lets you select and copy without worrying about accidental edits. Editing Mode gets you straight back to writing. Tables you can edit in place Amber turns Markdown tables into clear, editable grids. Change cells, add or remove rows and columns, choose header rows or columns, and adjust alignment without leaving the document. The source remains regular Markdown. Stay oriented in long documents Jump to any section with the heading navigator, or fold a heading to see only the shape of your document. Find within the current file, search your entire library, use line numbers, and move back or forward between documents. Keep a growing library organized Recent Documents, Favorites, and folders keep important files close. Choose a destination before creating a document or folder, then rename, move, delete, and restore items with a familiar flow on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Recover from accidental changes Amber can keep earlier contents in version history on the current device. Preview an older version, compare it with the current document, and restore the one you need. History is stored separately on each device rather than in iCloud, and its storage limit is under your control. Continue across iPhone, iPad, and Mac Your documents sync through iCloud Drive. Capture a thought on iPhone, shape a longer draft on iPad, and work with the original files in Finder on Mac. No separate Amber account is required. Amber includes an interface and built-in guides in Korean, English, Japanese, and Russian. Terms of Use and EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://drfranken.net/apps/amber/privacyPolicy_en.html

Screenshots

MDash4 screens
Amber4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MDash at Free against Amber's $2.99. MDash also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly) and device support (5 vs 3). Amber's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

MDash is free to download; Amber costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Amber holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of MDash's written reviews are positive against 100% of Amber's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MDash ships an update every 2 days, Amber fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MDash versus Amber: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMDashAmber
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArtur GorbaczewskiDONGWOOK LEE

Customer experience

MDash

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Amber

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

MDash

No in-app purchases

None

Amber

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MDash free?
MDash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Amber free?
Amber costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MDash or Amber?
Amber is rated higher. MDash averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Amber averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do MDash or Amber have ads?
Neither MDash nor Amber shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MDash or Amber?
MDash ships an update every 2 days, and Amber fortnightly. Most recently, MDash was updated on September 18, 2026 and Amber on August 29, 2026.

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