Milkdown vs Tiptap
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 plugin-based markdown editor framework where you type rich text and see formatted output.
Open source · MIT
A headless rich text editor framework for JavaScript apps, with no built-in look.
The short answer
Choose Milkdown if you need…
- Developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app
- Teams that want an editor extended through plugins
- TypeScript developers comfortable with ProseMirror-style editors
Choose Tiptap if you need…
- Developers building a custom text editor into a web product
- Teams using Vue, React, or plain JavaScript who want one editor across frameworks
- Projects that need full control over the editor's design
- Developers who want to add their own custom blocks or nodes
Side-by-side
| Milkdown | Tiptap | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 12k | 38.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Milkdown
Milkdown is a TypeScript framework for building WYSIWYG markdown editors, meaning the text looks formatted as you write it instead of showing raw markdown symbols. It is built on ProseMirror and remark and is organized around plugins. The README says it is inspired by the Typora editor. It is aimed at developers who want to add a markdown-style editor to their own web application.
Tiptap
Tiptap is an editor component you add to a web app so users can write formatted text, such as bold, lists, and headings. It is headless, meaning it ships without a ready-made user interface, so you design the look yourself. It is built on the ProseMirror library and extended through add-ons called extensions.
Best for
Milkdown
- Developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app
- Teams that want an editor extended through plugins
- TypeScript developers comfortable with ProseMirror-style editors
Tiptap
- Developers building a custom text editor into a web product
- Teams using Vue, React, or plain JavaScript who want one editor across frameworks
- Projects that need full control over the editor's design
- Developers who want to add their own custom blocks or nodes
Strengths
Milkdown
- Plugin-driven design lets you add or swap features
- Built on established libraries ProseMirror and remark
- MIT licensed with an active repository and about 12,000 stars
Tiptap
- Headless design gives full control over appearance and behavior
- Built on the established ProseMirror library and works across frameworks
- Large extension ecosystem with over 100 extensions listed in the docs
Not ideal for
Milkdown
- Non-programmers wanting a ready-made note-taking app, since this is a framework rather than an end-user app
- Projects needing a simple drop-in widget with minimal setup, since the plugin model adds a learning curve
Tiptap
- Non-developers who want a ready-made editor with no coding, because it requires building the interface yourself
- Projects that need the advanced paid features, since Pro Extensions require a valid subscription
Trade-offs
Milkdown
- README is brief on setup details; most guidance is on the external documentation site
- Requires familiarity with TypeScript and editor concepts to use effectively
Tiptap
- Advanced features such as collaboration, commenting, and AI are in paid Pro Extensions that need a subscription
- Without a UI, you must write more code to get a finished editor
- Setup details beyond the README are only in the external documentation
Getting started
Milkdown
Install core package (from npm package names in README badges)
npm install @milkdown/coreTiptap
Install the agent skill (optional, from README)
npx skills add ueberdosis/tiptap --skill tiptapFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Milkdown and Tiptap?
Milkdown: A plugin-based markdown editor framework where you type rich text and see formatted output. Tiptap: A headless rich text editor framework for JavaScript apps, with no built-in look. Milkdown suits developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app, while Tiptap suits developers building a custom text editor into a web product.
Are Milkdown and Tiptap free?
Milkdown: Free and open source. Tiptap: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Milkdown or Tiptap?
Tiptap is easier to get started with (rated intermediate); Milkdown is rated advanced and usually needs more setup.
Is Milkdown or Tiptap more popular?
Tiptap has more GitHub stars (38.9k) than Milkdown (12k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Milkdown and Tiptap?
Other options people compare them with include Lexical, Trix, pell, Vditor, Editor.md.
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.