Milkdown vs Trix
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 rich text editor web component for writing messages, comments, and articles in web apps.
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 Trix if you need…
- Developers adding a rich text box to a Rails or other web app
- Teams that want simple, consistent HTML output for comments or messages
- Projects that need embedded attachments inside text
- Developers who want control over editor behavior instead of browser contenteditable quirks
Side-by-side
| Milkdown | Trix | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 12k | 20k |
| Setup difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 9 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.
Trix
Trix is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) text editor that you add to a web page so users can format text with bold, lists, quotes and links. It is built from standard web components and produces simple, consistent HTML. It comes from 37signals, the company behind Basecamp, and is used there.
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
Trix
- Developers adding a rich text box to a Rails or other web app
- Teams that want simple, consistent HTML output for comments or messages
- Projects that need embedded attachments inside text
- Developers who want control over editor behavior instead of browser contenteditable quirks
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
Trix
- Built on standard web APIs such as Custom Elements and Element Internals
- Treats contenteditable as an input device, giving consistent behavior across browsers
- Produces terse, consistent HTML output
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
Trix
- Non-developers looking for a ready-made app; Trix is a component to integrate, not a standalone product
- Projects needing complex document features like tables or heavy page layout, which the README does not describe
- Sites that must support old browsers, since it targets evergreen desktop and mobile browsers
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
Trix
- The README describes only basic editing; advanced features are not detailed in the excerpt
- Requires JavaScript integration work and some HTML knowledge to set up forms and toolbars
- Trix content must be sanitized carefully when loaded from untrusted sources
Getting started
Milkdown
Install core package (from npm package names in README badges)
npm install @milkdown/coreTrix
Include from npm CDN (simplest)
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://unpkg.com/trix@2.0.8/dist/trix.css"> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://unpkg.com/trix@2.0.8/dist/trix.umd.min.js"></script>Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Milkdown and Trix?
Milkdown: A plugin-based markdown editor framework where you type rich text and see formatted output. Trix: A rich text editor web component for writing messages, comments, and articles in web apps. Milkdown suits developers adding a rich markdown editing box to a web app, while Trix suits developers adding a rich text box to a rails or other web app.
Are Milkdown and Trix free?
Milkdown: Free and open source. Trix: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Milkdown or Trix?
Trix is easier to get started with (rated intermediate); Milkdown is rated advanced and usually needs more setup.
Is Milkdown or Trix more popular?
Trix has more GitHub stars (20k) 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 Trix?
Other options people compare them with include Tiptap, Lexical, 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.