The short answer
No.
MacDown is an open-source editor for macOS only, and so is its maintained fork, MacDown 3000. Markd.ly runs natively on Windows, and one $19.99 purchase also covers Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android. It edits the same plain .md files.
$19.99 once, no subscription. Try it free for 24 hours first, no card.
Verified . Source linked at the bottom.
| On Windows | Markd.ly | MacDown |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on Windows | Yes, native | No, macOS only |
| Price | $19.99 once | Free, open source |
| Latest release | Windows 1.12.4, September 2026 | 0.7.3, January 2020 (its fork MacDown 3000: 3000.0.7, July 2026, macOS only) |
| Vim mode and Pandoc export | Yes (desktop) | No |
| Account needed | Yes: one Bravely Account sign-in (Apple, Google or email) | No |
No. MacDown is a macOS application, and so is its fork, MacDown 3000; neither has a Windows version.
Yes. MarkText is free, open source and runs on Windows. Markd.ly is the paid option: a native, signed editor that also runs on your phone.
Yes, if you write on Windows. $19.99 once gets you a native Windows editor that also runs on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android, and on the desktop it adds vim, snippets, encryption, and Word, EPUB, LaTeX and slide export. Before you buy, try every feature free for 24 hours with no card, and add 24 more hours once if you need them.
If you only write on a Mac and MacDown or MacDown 3000 does what you need, keep using it: both are free. Markd.ly is for writing on Windows, or for one editor across your computers and your phone.
Native markdown editor
$19.99 once, no subscription. Try it free for 24 hours first, no card.
MacDown platform support verified on the MacDown site. Subject to change. Full Markd.ly vs MacDown comparison.