---
title: "Markdown editors for Mac: subscription or one-time purchase?"
author: Pedro Thomaz
source: https://coffeetext.app/blog/markdown-editors-mac-subscription-vs-one-time
---

# Markdown editors for Mac: subscription or one-time purchase?

> Checked November 2026 against each app's official pricing page, linked below. Prices are in the currency each maker lists, before tax, and can change. Coffee isn't affiliated with any of these apps.

A one-time purchase usually costs more on day one and less after a few years, but updates may not be included for good. A subscription costs little to start and includes updates, but you keep paying and may lose something when you stop. Free apps exist as well, and for many people they're enough.

Coffee, which I make, offers both a subscription (€3 a month or €29 a year) and a one-time purchase (€79 with two years of updates). So I have no reason to tell you one is right for everyone. Here's how the options compare.

## What each one charges

| App | How you pay | Price on the Mac | Other platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/pricing) | Free, with paid add-ons | Free. Sync from $4 a month, Publish from $8 a month, billed yearly | Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| [Zettlr](https://zettlr.com/) | Free and open source | Free | Windows, Linux |
| [Typora](https://store.typora.io/) | One-time | $14.99, on up to 3 devices | Windows, Linux |
| [iA Writer](https://ia.net/writer/pricing) | One-time | $49.99. Each platform is paid for separately | Windows $29.99, iPhone and iPad $49.99 |
| [Bear](https://bear.app/faq/features-and-price-of-bear-pro/) | Subscription, for Bear Pro | $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year | iPhone, iPad |
| [Ulysses](http://ulysses.app/pricing/) | Monthly or yearly | $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year | iPad, iPhone |
| [Coffee](https://coffeetext.app/#pricing) | Either | €3 a month, €29 a year, or €79 once | None. Mac only |

Ulysses describes itself as a markup-based editor that keeps your texts in its own library, so it's a slightly different kind of app from the others here. Bear keeps notes in a database too. There's more on that in [the piece on plain local files](https://coffeetext.app/blog/markdown-editor-mac-plain-local-files).

## What one-time really buys

"Buy once" doesn't always mean every future version. It's worth reading the terms, as they differ.

- **iA Writer** says [minor updates are free and major updates may cost extra](https://ia.net/writer/pricing).
- **Typora**'s [licence](https://support.typora.io/License-Agreement/) says the same in its own terms: a major update, such as 1.x to 2.x, may need an extra fee.
- **Coffee** includes two years of updates. After that the app keeps working as it is, and another year of updates costs €29 if you want it.

In each case, the version you bought keeps working. What you may pay for later is newer versions.

## What a subscription really buys

You pay for as long as you use it, and updates come along with it. The question to ask is what happens on the day you stop.

With an app that keeps its notes as plain files, stopping costs you the app and nothing else, because the files are still in your folder. With an app that keeps them in its own library, check how you get them out before you need to. In Coffee, if you cancel, you can still open, read and export every note, but editing in Coffee stops when your paid period ends.

## The arithmetic, using Coffee as the example

Since Coffee sells both, it makes a clean comparison.

| After | Yearly plan | Bought once, no more updates | Bought once, updates kept current |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | €29 | €79 | €79 |
| 2 years | €58 | €79 | €79 |
| 3 years | €87 | €79 | €108 |
| 5 years | €145 | €79 | €166 |

Two things come out of this. Buying once passes the yearly plan during the third year, but only if you're happy to stop taking updates at some point. And if you always want the latest version, the yearly plan stays €21 cheaper for good, so buying once isn't the bargain it may look like.

## When each makes sense

**Free** makes sense if you simply don't want to pay, or if you want plugins and don't mind setting things up. Obsidian is the obvious one, and you only pay if you want its Sync or Publish services.

**One-time** makes sense if you dislike recurring charges on principle, expect to use the app for years, and don't need every new version. Typora is the lowest-priced here. iA Writer costs more and adds its own writing tools.

**A subscription** makes sense if you're not sure you'll stick with it, want to spread the cost, or always want the current version. €3 for a month or two is a small bet.

**Both on offer** matters mostly because you can change your mind. In Coffee, if you already subscribe, buying once stops your subscription renewing.

Whichever way you lean, use the free trial first. iA Writer gives 7 days, Typora 15, and Coffee 14, with no card. Coffee's sales are final, so that trial is your chance to find out if it's right for you.

## Questions

### Is Coffee a one-time purchase or a subscription?

Both. It's €3 a month or €29 a year, or €79 once with two years of updates. Every plan includes every feature, and all of them start with 14 days free, with no card or account.

### Do one-time Markdown editors include all future updates?

Not usually. iA Writer says major updates may cost extra, Typora's licence says the same of major versions, and Coffee includes two years of updates, then €29 for each further year if you want them. The version you bought keeps working in each case.

### Is there a good free Markdown editor for Mac?

Yes. Obsidian is free with no limits on the app itself, and Zettlr is free and open source. Paying gets you something different, not necessarily something better.

---

Written by Pedro Thomaz, who makes Coffee, a Markdown editor for the Mac on macOS 15 or later. It's free for 14 days with no card or account, then €3 a month, €29 a year, or €79 once with two years of updates. More at https://coffeetext.app/llms-full.txt