MerMD vs Markor: Best Free Markdown App for Android in 2026

Markor and MerMD are two of the most popular free Markdown apps for Android — but they serve fundamentally different purposes. Markor is a text editor that happens to preview Markdown, while MerMD is a dedicated Markdown viewer and reader optimized for rendering quality.

In this comparison, we’ll break down exactly where each app excels and help you choose the right tool for your workflow.

Quick Comparison Table

Where MerMD Wins

1. Mermaid Diagram Rendering

This is MerMD’s biggest advantage. If your Markdown documents contain Mermaid diagrams — flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, class diagrams, ER diagrams, pie charts, or state diagrams — MerMD renders them natively on-device. Markor does not support Mermaid at all.

For developers working with architecture documentation, API interaction diagrams, or project planning charts, this is a dealbreaker. MerMD is one of the only free Android apps that renders Mermaid diagrams without requiring an internet connection.

2. Cloud Storage Integration

MerMD connects directly to GitHub, GitLab, OneDrive, and Dropbox, letting you browse repositories and cloud folders to open Markdown files. Markor is strictly local — you can only open files already on your device.

If you frequently review README files from GitHub repositories or read documentation stored in cloud drives, MerMD eliminates the need to download files first.

3. Rendering Quality

MerMD is purpose-built for reading. The rendering engine produces clean typography, properly styled tables, and beautiful code blocks with your choice of syntax highlighting themes (Monokai, GitHub, Dracula, and more). Since MerMD doesn’t need to share screen space with an editor panel, documents get the full viewport width.

4. KaTeX Math Equations

MerMD renders LaTeX mathematical equations using KaTeX — both inline math and display-mode equations. This makes it ideal for students, academics, and researchers who work with STEM documentation. Markor has basic math support but doesn’t match KaTeX’s rendering quality.

5. Export to High-Resolution Images

MerMD can export rendered documents as high-resolution images — useful for sharing beautiful previews on social media, in presentations, or in documentation. Markor doesn’t offer image export.

Where Markor Wins

1. Full-Featured Text Editor

Markor is fundamentally an editor, and it excels at this. It offers a customizable toolbar for quick formatting, keyboard shortcuts, and a smooth writing experience. If you write Markdown (not just read it), Markor is the better choice.

2. Todo.txt and Zettelkasten Support

Markor supports todo.txt format natively, making it a lightweight task manager. It also supports Zettelkasten-style note linking. MerMD is focused on viewing, not task management.

3. Full Filesystem Access

Markor gives you complete access to your device’s file system. You can browse any folder, create new files anywhere, and manage your document structure. MerMD’s file management is focused on cloud browsing and opening specific files.

4. Open Source

Markor is Apache-2.0 licensed and available on F-Droid. If open-source software is important to your workflow, Markor has the edge here.

The Verdict

Bottom line: Use MerMD if you primarily read and review Markdown documents, especially those with Mermaid diagrams or from cloud sources. Use Markor if you primarily write and edit Markdown. Many users install both — Markor for writing, MerMD for reviewing the final rendered output.