markdown-it vs Showdown
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A fast Markdown parser for JavaScript that follows the CommonMark spec and can be extended with plugins.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library that converts Markdown to HTML and HTML back to Markdown.
The short answer
Choose markdown-it if you need…
- JavaScript or TypeScript developers who need to render Markdown in a Node.js or browser project
- Teams that want output that matches the CommonMark standard
- Projects that need custom Markdown syntax added through plugins
- Developers who want to replace or add parsing rules
Choose Showdown if you need…
- JavaScript developers adding Markdown rendering to a web page
- Node.js developers converting Markdown files on a server
- Projects that need two-way conversion between HTML and Markdown
- Developers who want options such as tables, header ids, or image sizing
Side-by-side
| markdown-it | Showdown | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 22k | 14.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 13 days ago | 8 days ago |
What each one is
markdown-it
markdown-it is a JavaScript library that converts Markdown text (the lightweight formatting syntax used in READMEs and notes) into HTML. It follows the CommonMark standard for how Markdown should be read, and adds some extras such as URL autolinking and a typographer option. Developers use it when they need to show formatted text on a website or inside a Node.js or browser app.
Showdown
Showdown is a JavaScript library that turns Markdown text (a simple plain-text formatting syntax) into HTML, and can also convert HTML back into Markdown. It runs in a web browser or on a server with Node.js. Developers use it to let people write formatted text in a simple syntax and display it as web pages.
Best for
markdown-it
- JavaScript or TypeScript developers who need to render Markdown in a Node.js or browser project
- Teams that want output that matches the CommonMark standard
- Projects that need custom Markdown syntax added through plugins
- Developers who want to replace or add parsing rules
Showdown
- JavaScript developers adding Markdown rendering to a web page
- Node.js developers converting Markdown files on a server
- Projects that need two-way conversion between HTML and Markdown
- Developers who want options such as tables, header ids, or image sizing
Strengths
markdown-it
- Follows the CommonMark spec, which the README describes as 100% supported
- Configurable: you can add new parsing rules or replace existing ones
- Safe by default, according to the README
Showdown
- Works both in the browser and on Node.js
- Options let you adjust output such as header ids, header levels, and links
- Released under the MIT license
Not ideal for
markdown-it
- Non-programmers who only want to write Markdown documents; the README describes a code library, not an editor or app
- Projects that do not use JavaScript, since the README only shows npm installation and usage
- Anyone who needs a graphical tool; the README does not describe one
Showdown
- People who just want to write Markdown in a ready-made editor app, since this is a library, not an app
- Projects that need the exact GitHub rendering behavior, since the README mentions GitHub-style ids but does not claim full compatibility
- Anyone needing current browser support for very old browsers, since the README lists tested versions from decades ago without current testing details
Trade-offs
markdown-it
- The README is short on details about specific features; the full documentation lives on an external site
- Upgrading to v15 involves a migration guide, so version changes may require work
- Plugin quality varies, since plugins are community-written packages on npm
Showdown
- The README is a long list of options and does not document every edge case, so you may need the wiki for detail
- The browser compatibility section lists very old browsers and gives no current test results
- Some features such as tables are off by default and must be turned on
Getting started
markdown-it
Install from npm (Node.js)
npm install markdown-itFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between markdown-it and Showdown?
markdown-it: A fast Markdown parser for JavaScript that follows the CommonMark spec and can be extended with plugins. Showdown: A JavaScript library that converts Markdown to HTML and HTML back to Markdown. markdown-it suits javascript or typescript developers who need to render markdown in a node.js or browser project, while Showdown suits javascript developers adding markdown rendering to a web page.
Are markdown-it and Showdown free?
markdown-it: Free and open source. Showdown: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, markdown-it or Showdown?
Showdown is easier to get started with (rated beginner); markdown-it is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is markdown-it or Showdown more popular?
markdown-it has more GitHub stars (22k) than Showdown (14.9k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to markdown-it and Showdown?
Other options people compare them with include remark, react-markdown, Turndown, Vditor, Parsedown.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.