Zettlr
Hendrik Erz and Contributors
Zettlr is a free, open-source markdown editor designed for academics, researchers, and writers. It supports the Zettelkasten method for knowledge management, citation management, and offers versatile export options for academic publishing.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Free and Open Source
- Excellent Zettelkasten support
- Citation management and academic focus
- Versatile export options (Pandoc, LaTeX)
- Customizable interface and themes
Top Dislikes
- No mobile app
- Can be complex for beginners
- Development primarily driven by a single developer
Popular Comments
Matt Chung - mattchung.me
2020-12-21
And so far, I am really loving the application. It's beautiful. It's user friendly. It sparks joy. Sure, the application is still in an infancy and has a few rough edges... However, none of these issues are deal breakers. And I'm certain that, overtime, the application's performance will be improved.
Become a Writer Today
2025
In short, if you're looking for a Markdown editor that's Zettelkasten compatible and 100 percent free, Zettlr is for you.
Reddit User - VimFleed
2023-09-05
Zettlr has been great but the lack of companion mobile app is a problem for me which I'm not sure how to solve.
Hacker News User
2024
Zettlr is quite nice... the wysiwyg interface for markdown offers a great editing experience. And because it is all just markdown files in local disk there is no vendor lockin... I wrote my last sci-fi novel entirely using Zettlr and pandoc.
MacUpdate User - Ptk3
2019-07-26
Version: 1.3.0.
aquiles.me
2021-06-02
Zettlr is geared towards academic work. It means that it bundles some very nice features: for example, it renders equations written in LaTeX and handles bibliographic databases straight out of Zotero.
Detailed Review
Zettlr is a modern, open-source markdown editor specifically designed for academics, researchers, and serious writers. It distinguishes itself by offering robust support for the Zettelkasten method, a system for knowledge management that emphasizes interconnected notes. Zettlr is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, and it is completely free to use, supported by donations.
Standout Features
- Zettelkasten Support: First-class support for the Zettelkasten note-taking method, including note IDs, wiki-style links, and a graph view to visualize connections between notes.
- Academic Workflow: Designed with academic writing in mind, offering features like citation management (integrating with Zotero, JabRef), LaTeX equation rendering, and tools for managing research notes.
- Markdown Editor: A feature-rich markdown editor with WYSIWYG-like interface, customizable themes, and focus mode for distraction-free writing.
- Export Versatility: Powered by Pandoc, Zettlr can export documents to a wide range of formats, including PDF, DOCX, ODT, HTML, and LaTeX, making it suitable for academic submissions and various publishing pipelines.
- Privacy-Focused: Files are stored locally, giving users full control over their data. There is no forced cloud synchronization or telemetry.
- Customization: Users can customize the interface with themes and custom CSS to tailor the writing environment to their preferences.
Conclusion
Zettlr is a powerful and versatile tool for writers, particularly those in academia or research, who need a robust markdown editor with advanced knowledge management and academic writing features. Its Zettelkasten integration and citation management capabilities are standout features that cater to researchers. The fact that it is free and open-source makes it an attractive option for users seeking a feature-rich writing environment without subscription costs. However, the lack of a mobile app and a steeper learning curve might be drawbacks for some users. For those deeply invested in academic writing and knowledge organization, Zettlr is a compelling choice.
