Markra

Markra is a Markdown workspace for writers who want local documents and optional AI review in the same editor. It suits people working across notes, drafts and technical writing who value keeping their files portable. Its strongest case is the combination of rich editing and user-approved AI; its main drawback is that AI takes provider setup.

Overview

Markra brings local files, tabs and Markdown editing together, with support for daily notes through long-form documents. You can edit in source mode or use WYSIWYG formatting while retaining ordinary Markdown files underneath. That makes it a useful choice when rendered writing is more comfortable than raw syntax but portability still matters.

Writing does not require an account, and files can be opened individually or as folders. The trade-off is that Markra has no publishing workflow: it is an editor and workspace, not a route from draft to published page.

Key features

Rich editing with Markdown intact

Inline rendering covers links, images, tables, tasks, callouts, code, math and Mermaid diagrams. That breadth serves both everyday notes and structured technical documents. Source editing remains available, so writers can work directly with the underlying syntax when they prefer it.

AI review with provider choice

Markra can answer requests, rewrite or summarize text, and propose edits for approval before applying them. That approval step keeps the writer in control rather than silently changing a document. AI is optional, but using it requires configuring at least one provider, such as a cloud service, Ollama or an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.

Built-in provider families include OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, DeepSeek, Mistral, Groq, OpenRouter, Together.ai, Qwen, Xiaomi MiMo, Volcengine Ark, xAI, Azure OpenAI and Ollama. AI web search can use Local Bing or a SearXNG instance; queries and fetched page text may be sent to the selected provider or search instance. Provider keys and custom headers are saved in local settings, and exported settings can include those credentials, so settings exports deserve care.

Files, images and sync

Notes remain ordinary.md files, and Markra can optionally sync them through WebDAV. Sync is two-way and keeps conflict copies, a useful safeguard for files changed in more than one place. WebDAV is the sync provider currently described; readers who need another sync service should not assume it is supported.

Images can be stored in local folders, WebDAV, PicGo/PicList or S3-compatible storage. This gives users choices for managing image assets, though the range of destinations also means setup depends on the storage option they choose.

Pricing

Free — free. Core features are free to use, with no account required for writing Markdown. AI features require a configured provider, so the free core does not remove the need to arrange provider access for AI use. Markra also invites sponsorship, but sponsorship is separate from the free plan.

There is no paid Markra plan to compare. The practical cost distinction is between using the free editor on its own and configuring a provider for AI; the price of that provider is not part of Markra’s stated plan.

Platforms

Desktop downloads are available for macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, Windows and Linux, alongside a web editor. The web editor can download HTML and use browser print/PDF. Desktop export supports HTML, PDF and Pandoc formats when configured, giving desktop users a broader export route but making Pandoc-dependent output conditional on configuration.

Who it's for

Markra is a strong fit for writers of product documentation, research, technical material, drafts and daily notes who want both local-file control and rich Markdown editing. It also suits people who want AI suggestions without giving an assistant automatic authority to alter their text.

It is less suited to teams seeking a publishing workflow or to users who expect AI to work immediately without provider configuration. The local-first approach favors file ownership and portability over an account-centered workspace.

Pros and cons

Pros: Ordinary Markdown files and folder-based workspaces keep documents portable and usable outside Markra.

Pros: Source and WYSIWYG editing, including technical notation and Mermaid diagrams, accommodate varied writing styles.

Pros: AI edits require approval, and provider choice includes local options such as Ollama.

Cons: AI is not ready to use until a provider is configured.

Cons: WebDAV is the stated notes-sync route, limiting the choice for users who rely on another sync service.

Cons: There is no publishing workflow, and some desktop export formats depend on configuration.

Alternatives

Browse Markdown editors for a broader comparison. Choose StackEdit if a free, open-source web editor is a better fit than Markra’s local desktop workspace. HackMD is the alternative to consider when a web-based editor with a free plan for up to three teammates better matches the work.

MarkText is a free, open-source desktop option for Linux, macOS and Windows if AI review is not a deciding factor. Muesli is worth considering when its free, open-source service and broad platform range are a better match. For a free, open-source self-hosted or web option, consider HedgeDoc.

Ghostwriter and Zettlr are also free, open-source desktop alternatives for Linux, macOS and Windows. Choose Dillinger if you want a free web editor with no signup or usage limits.

Verdict

Choose Markra if you want a portable Markdown workspace that combines rich editing with optional, approval-based AI review. The free core and ordinary local files make it an appealing home for notes and serious writing alike. Look elsewhere if you need built-in publishing, or want AI without first configuring a provider.