Zettlr
Academic-focused markdown editor prioritizing research workflows
Zettlr is an open-source markdown editor designed for academic writing, note-taking, and research management. It processes files locally and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What we love ❤️
- Combines markdown editing with citation management (supports CSL/BibTeX)
- Full-text search across your entire knowledge base
- Supports academic writing workflows with Zettelkasten functionality
- Export to multiple formats including PDF, Word, and HTML via Pandoc
- Built-in pomodoro timer and writing statistics
- Handles LaTeX equations and academic references
- Local file processing ensures data privacy
Worth noting 💡
- Requires Pandoc installation for import/export functionality
- Learning curve for academic features and citation management
- Heavier resource usage compared to simpler markdown editors
- Keyboard shortcuts and workflows may take time to master
- Cannot directly edit PDFs or handle complex tables
- May feel overwhelming for users seeking basic note-taking
Zettlr offers comprehensive academic writing capabilities with robust markdown editing, citation management, and research organization features. While its academic-focused interface and citation system require initial learning investment, the powerful search, export options, and Zettelkasten implementation make it valuable for serious research work. It's particularly well-suited for journalists, academics, researchers, and students who need to manage citations and complex writing projects while maintaining control over their data.