Comparison

Markdown to PDF vs Folio

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

Head to head
About

Markdown to PDF

Convert markdown files to polished PDFs with live preview and extensive formatting support. Ideal for notes, documents, and sharing code. Offers multiple page sizes, orientations, and font options.

Highlights
  • Live Markdown preview
  • Export to PDF
  • Multiple page sizes and orientations
  • Extensive markdown superset support
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Table of contents generation
  • Siri & Shortcuts support
Features
Read full description

Markdown to PDF converts any markdown file into a clean, shareable PDF right on your iPhone or iPad. Write or paste your Markdown, see a live preview as you type, and export a polished PDF in seconds. Whether you're turning notes into a document, sharing a README, or exporting class notes, Markdown to PDF handles the formatting so you don't have to. This app will convert more than just basic markdown with support for an extensive list of markdown supersets (i.e. code blocks, highlights, embeds, callouts, etc..). Conversions: - PDF - Word (DOCX) - EPUB - HTML - Rich Text (RTF) - Plain Text - Markdown Features - Live preview: see your formatted document update as you type - Editor and split-screen modes for a comfortable writing experience - Export to PDF and share or save to Files - Multiple page sizes: A4, A3, Letter, Legal, Tabloid - Portrait and landscape orientation - Font options: System, Serif, Sans-Serif, Monospace, New York - Color themes: Light, Dark, Sepia, and 22 more! - Import existing Markdown files - Siri & Shortcuts Support: convert a file or text into a PDF Additional Features - Syntax highlighting for code blocks - Table of contents generation - Page numbers - Soft line breaks - Obsidian-compatible syntax (callouts, wikilinks, math via KaTeX, highlights) - Rich Markdown editor with live syntax coloring - Fit preview to screen width - Mermaid diagrams (render flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, and more) All current and future "additional features" are available as a monthly or annual subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. A 7-day free trial is included with the annual plan. By downloading this app, you agree to Apple's Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Folio

Transform your Markdown notes into beautifully formatted pages with live previews. Export your work to various formats like PDF, Word, and EPUB. Offers extensive styling options and supports Obsidian vaults.

Highlights
  • Paginated live preview
  • Markdown and Obsidian support
  • Export to PDF, Word, EPUB, RTF, TXT
  • 16 built-in themes
  • 20 typefaces
  • Custom theme builder (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Write a note in Markdown and see it laid out as a real page — then export it when it is ready. Folio is for people who already write in Markdown, including Obsidian vaults. The preview is paginated, so you can check margins, page breaks, and the finished reading experience as you write. WRITE AND PREVIEW • See your note on a page with margins and page breaks, not only as a continuous web preview • Use Markdown and Obsidian-style callouts, wikilinks, highlights, tags, properties, math, and Mermaid diagrams • Link a notes folder to resolve embedded images and notes on your device • Start from a blank page or a built-in template STYLE AND EXPORT • Choose from 16 built-in themes and 20 typefaces • Export PDF, Word (.docx), EPUB, RTF, or plain text • Share a Markdown file into Folio or convert with Shortcuts • Save back to the original file or replace the last export in the same folder FREE AND FOLIO PRO Writing, live preview, built-in themes, and Markdown features are free. Your first three PDF exports are free. Folio Pro unlocks unlimited PDF exports, Word, EPUB, RTF, and the custom theme builder. Folio Pro is available monthly, annually, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. The annual plan includes a 7-day free trial. Subscription terms and the current price are shown before purchase. No account is required. Folio renders documents on your device; notes are not uploaded for preview or export. You choose when to export or share a file. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Markdown to PDF4 screens
Folio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Markdown to PDF at 83% against Folio's 0%. Markdown to PDF also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Markdown to PDF sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Folio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Markdown to PDF holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Markdown to PDF has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Markdown to PDF's written reviews are positive against 0% of Folio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Markdown to PDF ships an update every 4 days, Folio every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Markdown to PDF versus Folio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarkdown to PDFFolio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (9 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZain AabanRUEBEN ANSOLIWEN AKANKOBATENG

Customer experience

Markdown to PDF

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

Folio

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Markdown to PDF

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
3 purchases

Folio

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Markdown to PDF free?
Markdown to PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Markdown to PDF or Folio?
Markdown to PDF is rated higher. Markdown to PDF averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Folio averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Markdown to PDF or Folio have ads?
Neither Markdown to PDF nor Folio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Markdown to PDF or Folio?
Markdown to PDF ships an update every 4 days, and Folio every 4 weeks. Most recently, Markdown to PDF was updated on October 31, 2026 and Folio on November 7, 2026.

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