Markdown Better View vs MacMD Viewer
Two native macOS Markdown viewers, both with a Finder Quick Look extension and no subscription. The difference comes down to price and reading features.
Short version: they do the same core job, but Markdown Better View is $9.99 vs $19.99 and adds themes, a table of contents, instant find, reading mode, folder→tabs and live reload. Choose MacMD Viewer if you specifically prefer it; otherwise Markdown Better View gives you more for half the price.
| Markdown Better View | MacMD Viewer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 one-time | $19.99 one-time |
| Native macOS viewer | Yes | Yes |
| Quick Look preview | Yes | Yes |
| Quick Look thumbnails | Yes | ? |
| Mermaid diagrams | Yes | Yes |
| Math (KaTeX) | Yes | ? |
| Five themes · dark mode | Yes | ? |
| Table of contents · find | Yes | ? |
| Reading mode | Yes | ? |
| Folder → native tabs | Yes | ? |
| Live reload on save | Yes | ? |
| Subscription | No | No |
“?” = MacMD Viewer doesn’t clearly state it. Verified June 2026.
When to choose MacMD Viewer
MacMD Viewer is a tidy, genuinely native viewer with a Quick Look extension and Mermaid support, and at ~2 MB it’s tiny. If you already own it, or you simply prefer its look and feel, it’s a fine reader — this isn’t a knock on it.
When to choose Markdown Better View
If you want the same native, no-subscription reading experience for half the price — plus five themes, a table of contents with scrollspy, instant find, a distraction-free reading mode, folder→tabs and live reload on save — Markdown Better View is the better value at a one-time $9.99. See the full best Markdown viewers for Mac roundup.
FAQ
- Is Markdown Better View cheaper than MacMD Viewer?
- Yes. Markdown Better View is a one-time $9.99; MacMD Viewer is a one-time $19.99. Both are native viewers with no subscription.
- Do both apps add a Finder Quick Look preview?
- Yes — both ship a Quick Look extension so you can press Space on a .md file and see it rendered. Markdown Better View also adds rich thumbnails.
- What does Markdown Better View add over MacMD Viewer?
- Five themes with real dark mode, a table of contents with scrollspy, instant find with a match count, a distraction-free reading mode, folder→native tabs, and live reload on save — features MacMD Viewer does not advertise.
- Are both native (not Electron)?
- Yes. Both are native macOS apps (AppKit/SwiftUI), not web-wrapped, so they launch instantly and stay light.