1Writer vs Markling
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
1Writer
This app is a powerful text editor for creating, revising, and sharing ideas efficiently. It supports plain text and Markdown, with advanced features like an extended keyboard, photo insertion, and custom URL actions. Sync with cloud services and personalize your writing experience.
- Markdown syntax highlighting and preview
- Extended keyboard with custom buttons
- Photo insertion with Dropbox integration
- Sync with iCloud, Dropbox, and WebDAV
- Custom URL actions and JavaScript support
- In-app web browser for research
- Passcode and biometric app protection
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1Writer combines all the basic text editing features you would expect with all the advanced features you will ever need. Use 1Writer to write, research, revise, and share your ideas with maximum efficiency. - - - - - - - - - - "The only Dropbox- and Markdown-enabled text editor for iPhone that’s clicked with me has been 1Writer. It’s simple, looks great, and gets the job done." - TheSweetSetup.com "Really great app, really recommend it." - Federico Viticci, MacStories.net "The app interface is beautiful and distraction-free, with loads of other awesome features lurking beneath its simple exterior. It's now my go-to iPhone text editor." - Chris Gonzales, ToolsandToys.net "For users that want a great visual experience paired with great support for custom actions and third party apps, 1Writer is an excellent choice." - iMore.com "1Writer is the most powerful text editor available for iPhone." - Phillip Gruneich - - - - - - - - - - CREATE - Write :: generate and edit plain text or Markdown files. - Preview :: see the formatted results with Markdown syntax highlighting while you write and a full, rich-text preview when you're done. - Extended keyboard :: a convenient row of buttons for navigation, formatting, special characters (customizable--pick the characters you use the most). - Insert photo :: pick a photo or take a new one, and 1Writer will upload it to Dropbox and generate the Markdown-syntax to add it to your document--all in a single action! - Snippets :: TextExpander Touch support. - Custom URL actions :: insert a document template, encode a selection and replace the original text, look up synonyms and much more. - JavaScript :: create even more powerful custom actions using JavaScript—text manipulation, perform a find & replace, interact with the clipboard—the possibilities are endless. IMPORT - Sync with iCloud, Dropbox and WebDAV. - Share extension :: send text to 1Writer from other apps. In Safari, the extension uses the current URL, page title and selected text to create a new document. - Create, append, prepend, or replace text directly from other apps using the 1Writer URL scheme. EXPORT - CloudApp and Dropbox :: generate a link to share your document in plain text or PDF. - Evernote :: pick your notebook, add tags and turn a text selection or the entire document into a new, rich-text note. - Copy HTML :: put the formatted text for your document directly on the clipboard. - Custom actions :: open a web search, tweet a selection, save a series of items in a list and much more. PERSONALIZE - Support Dark Mode on iOS 13. - 2 dark themes for more comfortable reading and writing at night. - Choose from 20 different fonts. - Bookmark and sync the Dropbox/WebDAV folders you want to have quick access to the sub-folders and documents you need. - Use a passcode or Touch ID/Face ID to protect the app from unauthorized users. RESEARCH - In-app web browser :: research, look up information without having to leave the app. - Bookmarks :: create and access your favorite websites. - Save the current text selection to the clipboard in Markdown syntax. - 1Password support :: login to all your accounts using the 1Password extension. EVEN MORE GREAT FEATURES - Drag and drop. - Open in Place. - Multiple windows on iOS 13. - MultiMarkdown. - Search documents from Spotlight. - Find & replace within document. - Photo and PDF preview. - Today widget :: access your recent documents from the Notification Center or create a new document in one tap. - Checklist support :: create a list of things to do or topics to research, and easily check them off. - Full-text search and hashtag support :: search within a folder to find the document you need, and view related documents that have the same tag.
Markling
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Make room for your next idea. Markling is a Markdown editor for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. Open a file, shape your thoughts, and see your writing take form. WRITE YOUR WAY Edit the Markdown source with syntax highlighting, formatting tools, line numbers, find and replace, and Undo/Redo. Or select and edit directly in Preview: the Markdown around your selection appears as you work, then returns to its rendered style. READ WITH CLARITY Preview headings, lists, tables, task checkboxes, code, and images. Jump between sections with the outline. Choose a preview theme, adjust the text size, or settle into focus mode. Light and dark appearances are included. SPACE WHEN YOU NEED IT iPhone and narrow windows keep Edit and Preview one tap apart. On iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, wider windows add Split view with an adjustable divider and synchronized scrolling. KEEP YOUR OWN FILES Open documents from Files, iCloud Drive, or other available file providers. Browse a folder as a workspace and return to documents through Recent Files. Your writing stays in ordinary Markdown files. On Mac, use the native Save and Save As commands; mobile documents save changes in place. Access follows the permissions of your chosen file provider. DIAGRAMS AND MATH Preview Mermaid diagrams, inline and display LaTeX math, and footnotes using libraries included in the app. No online rendering service is required. Remote HTTPS images need a network connection. SHARE THE RESULT Export paginated PDF or standalone HTML, or use system printing. Diagrams and math render in HTML and PDF, with readable fallback for invalid source. PDF can include accessible HTTPS images. FREE MOBILE. ONE-TIME MAC UNLOCK. iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro are free. On Mac, start a free 14-day trial of all editing features, then unlock Mac editing with a one-time in-app purchase. There is no subscription or automatic charge after the trial. The purchase screen shows your local price. Restore your purchase on your other Macs using the same App Store account. After the Mac trial ends, you can still open, read, copy, and export documents, and save outstanding edits. Creating and editing documents requires the Mac unlock. Your files remain yours. No Markling account or ads. Questions? Contact mihail.duchev@icloud.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Markling at Free against 1Writer's $4.99. Markling also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). 1Writer's advantage is chart position (#43 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On ads and device support 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
Markling is free to download; 1Writer costs $4.99 up front. 1Writer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Markling asks for nothing beyond the download.
1Writer ships an update every 2 months, Markling every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 1Writer | Markling |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (393 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 393 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #43 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ngoc Luu | MIHAIL PLAMENOV DUCHEV |
In-app purchases
1Writer
- Small Tip$0.99
- Nice Tip$2.99
- Generous Tip$4.99
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- Massive Tip$9.99
- Amazing Tip$19.99
Markling
No in-app purchases









