Markdown is a convenient way to describe the appearance of text in an easy-to-read format. For this reason, the number of note apps that use Markdown notation has been increasing in recent years.
Some of you may be wondering, “I am considering a memo app that uses Markdown, but I do not know which one fits our company’s needs”.
In this issue, we will introduce some note taking apps that use Markdown and points to keep in mind when using them for below people.
- “To begin with, I do not know the outline and merits of Markdown notation.”
- “We are considering a note taking app that can use Markdown, and want to compare several services.”
- “I am looking for an app that allows members of our company to easily take notes.”
This article will help you compare note-taking apps that use Markdown and find the service that fits your company’s needs.
Contents
What is “Markdown”?
Markdown refers to a method of writing text typed on an electronic device to improve the appearance of the text.
In order to create a clear and easy-to-read text, it is necessary to use headings for items, bullet points, and emphasis on important information. Therefore, using Markdown to describe text allows the text to be properly structured and organized for easy reading.
For example, the following example shows a change in the text.
| Image of the notation and description example | |
|---|---|
Making sentences into header | Use “#” at the beginning of a sentence to match the size of the header.  |
| Bullet points | Place a “-” (hyphen) at the beginning of a sentence  |
| Emphasizing text | Surround the text to be emphasized with “**”.  |
Since Markdown is also used in development, it is often available in memo apps for engineers. Therefore, Markdown is highly convenient “when used by developers” or “in companies with high IT literacy”.
3 note taking apps using Markdown editor (foe Windows/Mac)
Below we introduce three memo apps that use Markdown editor. Each app has different features, so compare them and choose the one that best suits your company.
However, many of the apps that can use Markdown are multifunctional and have in common that Markdown input requires familiarity. Therefore, for non-IT companies, a tool like Stock, “a tool that allows you to leave necessary information with intuitive operations”, is more user-friendly.
Obsidian| Knowledge management app with excellent extensions
＜Features of Obsidian＞
- Can be tied to related pages simultaneously
- Can be used on a wide range of devices
- Notes can be linked to each other by links
Links to related memos can be added to memos you have created with a single click.
Supports not only Windows, but also iPhone, Android, and other devices, enabling operation in a wide range of usage environments.
By selecting text and right-clicking, you can place a link to another memo within the memo. Creating a link itself is easy, but it is necessary to “manage the linkage of links” and “organize the hierarchy” thoroughly.
Cautions about Obsidian
- A part of Markdown of Obsidian not supported
Although Obsidian is almost compatible Markdown, it cannot create header, emoji and so on.
＜Price of Obsidian＞
- Personal use: Free of charge
- Commercial use: $50/user/year
Notion| A multifunctional app for creating internal wikis
＜Features of Notion＞
- Highly flexible document creation
- Project management functionality is also provided
Notion supports Markdown, HTML, Java, and other development languages, and allows embedding of images and videos, making it easy to create documents that suit your company’s needs.
Not only does Notion allow you to create documents, but it also provides project progress and task management functions.
- Templates are provided so you can start using it right away
Once you select a purpose of use and get started, the app provides you with templates that match your purpose. This is a convenient way to start using Notion immediately, but it does require some familiarity with the app as the items are very detailed.
＜Note of Notion＞
- It is difficult to master the app because of its many functions
Some users say that it is difficult for beginners to use because of its many functions.
＜Price of Notion＞
- Free: Free of charge
- Plus: $10/user/month (paid monthly)
- Business: $18/user/month (paid monthly)
- Enterprise: You need inquiry
Inkdrop| An app that is Cloud based for engineer and designer
＜Features of Inkdrop＞
- Wealth of functions for engineer and designer
- Plugins allow you to enhance productivity
You can use not only Markdown notation, but also hierarchical managing of information by folder, and using link allow you to share information effectively.
If you add plugins of Inkdrop, you can customize the system for your company.
＜Note of Inkdrop＞
- Cannot attach the files
Although you can attach image for sharing information, The sending files like Word and Excel need you to use other apps to send it.
＜Price of Inkdrop＞
- $4.99/user/month (with 30 days free trial)
Comparison of Markdown memo apps
Below is a comparison chart of the apps introduced. Compare the prices and notes to help you introduce the apps.
| Obsidian | Notion | Inkdrop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Knowledge management app with excellent extensibility | Multifunctional app for creating internal wikis and managing tasks | An app for engineer or designer |
| Notes | A part of Markdown of Obsidian not supported | Difficult to master because of its multifunctionality | According to attaching the file, you may have to use other apps to share information |
| Price | ・Free of charge ・Commercial use: $50/user/year | ・Free: Free of charge ・Plus: $10/user/month (monthly payment) ・Business: $18/user/month (monthly payment) ・Enterprise: You need inquiry | $4.99/user/month (with 30 days free trial) |
| Official site |
The example case that the Markdown editor app is not match
Although Markdown is a convenient notation format for formatting memos, there are cases in which it is not suitable for your company. Specifically, if any of the following apply to your company, you should carefully consider the introduction of Markdown editor.
- Cases for non-IT companies
- Cases where non-engineer members use the app
- Cases where many memos are taken on the go
Non-IT companies that are accustomed to using simple text input like Word for memos may be at a loss when using a company-wide memo app in Markdown format.
Engineers are familiar with Markdown, but non-development members need to learn a new notation. Therefore, there is a risk that some members may feel burden and stop using the not taking app.
If there are many opportunities to take notes on the go, it is meaningless unless they can be easily input from a smartphone. Therefore, a note taking app in Markdown format that requires a lot of time and effort is not likely to fit the bill.
As mentioned above, if you have many members who are unfamiliar with IT and want to take notes quickly, a simple and easy-to-use memo app is the best choice. For example, using a notebook-type app that allows intuitive text entry, such as Stock, will allow everyone to use it without burden.
Easiest ways to take notes even if you are not familiar with IT
Below we introduce an alternative to Markdown that can be easily operated even by those unfamiliar with IT.
Markdown editor apps are suitable for engineering teams, but other departments may find the “Markdown mechanism itself” difficult. In addition, a complicated memo app requires a lot of time and effort to teach how to use.
Therefore, especially for non-IT companies, choose “a simple memo app that can be used immediately without a manual.
Therefore, the best choice for sharing memos within a company is Stock, an information sharing app that can be used even by non-IT company members intuitively.
Stock allows you to bullet and highlight sentences with a single click, so you can create a well-styled “Note” without any special knowledge. In addition, “Message” and “Task” are tied to the notes, solving the need to use other tools together.
Stock| An app that can be operated immediately by non-IT company members
The simplest tool to stock information "Stock"
https://www.stock-app.info/en/
Stock is the simplest tool to stock information. Stock solves the problem, "there is no easy way to stock information within the company".
With Stock, anyone can easily store all kinds of information, including text information such as requirements, images, and files, using the Note feature.
In addition, by using the "Task" and "Message" functions, you can communicate with each topic described in the Note, so that information is not dispersed here and there and work can always be carried out in an organized manner.
＜Why do we recommend Stock?＞
- A tool for companies that are not familiar with ITYou don't need to have any IT expertise to get started.
- Simple and usable by anyoneStock is so simple that anyone can use it without any unnecessary features.
- Amazingly easy information storing and task managementIt is amazingly easy to store information such as shared information within a company, and intuitive task management is also possible.
＜Stock's pricing＞
- Free plan ：Free
- Business plan ：$5 / User / Month
- Enterprise plan ：$10 / User / Month
Summary of 3 note taking apps using as Markdown editor
We have introduced note-taking apps using Markdown, cautions for its use, and alternative methods.
Markdown is a notation system for arranging the appearance of text, and while Markdown-compatible note-taking apps allow you to create easy-to-read documents, they also present some hurdles, such as the need to learn the notation system.
In addition, employees who are not familiar with IT are likely to not be able to use Markdown format well, and notes related to work will not be left correctly.
Therefore, introducing a note taking app that can be easily operated without IT knowledge will allow non-IT companies to operate smoothly. In conclusion, for business notes, you choose “Stock”, a notebook-type information sharing app that allows easy text input and style changes.
It only takes 1 minute to register for free, so using Stock and realize an environment where all employees can leave notes quickly.
