Comparison

MDash vs SoloMD

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 — LIFETIME OR MONTHLY MDash Pro unlocks iCloud sync across your devices, export to PDF, HTML, Word, ePub and more, and watermark-free Mermaid diagrams. Choose a one-time lifetime purchase or a monthly subscription — both unlock exactly the same features. The monthly subscription renews automatically until cancelled; manage or cancel it anytime in your App Store account settings. 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. Terms of Use: https://nightcodeapps.com/apps/markdown-editor/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://nightcodeapps.com/apps/markdown-editor/privacy/

About

SoloMD

A distraction-free Markdown editor for iPad, focusing on writing with live preview, rich syntax, and export options. Your notes are stored locally as plain text files.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free writing environment
  • Live Markdown preview
  • KaTeX math and Mermaid diagram support
  • Multiple export formats (HTML, PDF, DOCX)
  • File tree and outline view
  • Focus and typewriter modes
  • Split-view and multitasking support
Features
Read full description

SoloMD is a calm, fast Markdown editor for iPhone and iPad. Open the app and you are writing — no account, no sign-up, no subscription. Your notes are plain .md and .txt files. Keep them in SoloMD's folder in the Files app, or open a folder you already use, and edit the files right where they are. Any editor on any device can read them, today and in ten years. WRITING FIRST - Live editing: Markdown marks step aside once the cursor leaves the line, so you see the document, not the syntax. - Real typography: big headings, true bold, monospaced code, comfortable line length. - Focus mode dims everything but the paragraph you are in; typewriter mode keeps your line at eye level. - A formatting bubble appears over selected text; a keyboard bar puts headings, lists, links and code one tap away. - Find and replace with match case, whole word and regular expressions. - Light and dark themes that follow the system. ON IPHONE - A notes home screen, search and a new-note button within thumb's reach. - Full-screen editor with a simple navigation bar. ON IPAD - Sidebar with your folders and notes, tabs, and an outline of the current document. - Split view and Slide Over friendly; works with hardware keyboards and ⌘ shortcuts. MARKDOWN THAT GOES FURTHER - KaTeX math, inline and display. - Mermaid flowcharts, sequence diagrams and Gantt charts. - Tables, task lists with tappable checkboxes, footnotes, front matter, highlights. - Syntax highlighting for 13+ languages. - Tap an image or diagram to view it full screen with pinch-zoom. - Fold headings to see the shape of a long document. FOR CHINESE WRITERS - Simplified ↔ Traditional conversion, pinyin, and CJK-aware word counts. - Chinese proofreading for half-width punctuation and common slips. - Opens UTF-8, UTF-16, GBK and Big5 files correctly. EXPORT AND SHARE - PDF with math and diagrams rendered. - Word (.docx) with tables kept. - HTML, or copy as HTML, plain text or Markdown. PRIVATE BY DESIGN SoloMD collects no data. No account, no analytics, no ads, no tracking. Your notes stay in files you own. SoloMD is open source under the MIT license: github.com/zhitongblog/solomd 100% FREE FOREVER & SUPPORTER BADGE Every feature in SoloMD is 100% free forever — no paywalls, no subscriptions, and no locked features. Optional one-time In-App Purchases (Buy a Coffee / Buy a Lunch / Generous Support) are purely voluntary tips to support independent open-source development, and permanently unlock the exclusive "Supporter" badge in Settings and About.

Screenshots

MDash4 screens
SoloMD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MDash at 4.2 against SoloMD's 1.0. MDash also leads on ratings volume (5 vs 1) and device support (6 vs 4). SoloMD's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. MDash sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and SoloMD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MDash holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MDash has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MDash ships an update every 4 days, SoloMD every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MDash versus SoloMD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMDashSoloMD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArtur Gorbaczewski向东 李

Customer experience

MDash

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

SoloMD

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

MDash

Subscriptions2
  • MDash Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • MDash Pro Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • MarkdownEditor Pro Lifetime$24.99
3 purchases

SoloMD

One-time3
  • Buy a Coffee$0.99
  • Buy a Lunch$2.99
  • Generous Support$9.99

Questions

Is MDash free?
MDash is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SoloMD free?
SoloMD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MDash or SoloMD?
MDash is rated higher. MDash averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while SoloMD averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do MDash or SoloMD have ads?
Neither MDash nor SoloMD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MDash or SoloMD?
MDash ships an update every 4 days, and SoloMD every 3 days. Most recently, MDash was updated on October 24, 2026 and SoloMD on October 24, 2026.

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