markdown-it vs remark
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 simple tool that turns Markdown text into a browser-based slideshow.
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 remark if you need…
- People comfortable with HTML and CSS who want slides written in Markdown
- Developers or teachers who want a presentation they can version-control as plain text
- Presenters who want a speaker-notes view with a cloned display
Side-by-side
| markdown-it | remark | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 22k | 13k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Download the app |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 13 days ago | 2 years 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.
remark
remark is a JavaScript library that renders a slideshow in a web browser from Markdown text placed inside an HTML file. You write slides separated by dividers, open the page, and it displays them. It is aimed at people who already know some HTML and CSS, since styling is done with ordinary CSS.
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
remark
- People comfortable with HTML and CSS who want slides written in Markdown
- Developers or teachers who want a presentation they can version-control as plain text
- Presenters who want a speaker-notes view with a cloned display
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
remark
- Simple model: one HTML file with Markdown slides inside
- Presenter mode with speaker notes and a cloned view
- Works on touch devices with swipe navigation
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
remark
- Non-technical users who want a visual slide editor, since the README describes editing HTML and Markdown by hand
- People who need an offline presentation without building remark first, since the README notes the local boilerplate requires a build step
- Users who need built-in PDF export, since the README says PDF output relies mainly on Chrome's Print to PDF and styling is not exact
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
remark
- Targeted at people who know HTML and CSS, so it is not a point-and-click tool
- PDF export styling is not guaranteed to match the browser view
- The README's boilerplate loads resources from remote URLs, so an internet connection is typically needed unless you build locally
Getting started
markdown-it
Install from npm (Node.js)
npm install markdown-itremark
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/gnab/remarkFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between markdown-it and remark?
markdown-it: A fast Markdown parser for JavaScript that follows the CommonMark spec and can be extended with plugins. remark: A simple tool that turns Markdown text into a browser-based slideshow. markdown-it suits javascript or typescript developers who need to render markdown in a node.js or browser project, while remark suits people comfortable with html and css who want slides written in markdown.
Are markdown-it and remark free?
markdown-it: Free and open source. remark: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, markdown-it or remark?
remark is easier to get started with (rated beginner); markdown-it is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is markdown-it or remark more popular?
markdown-it has more GitHub stars (22k) than remark (13k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to markdown-it and remark?
Other options people compare them with include Showdown, react-markdown, Turndown, Vditor, reveal.js.
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.