What it does
MiaoYan stores notes as plain Markdown files in a chosen folder and adds split editing and preview, wikilinks and backlinks, LaTeX, Mermaid, PlantUML, Markmap, and Markdown presentations. The vendor says the Mac edition is free and open source, while its App Store bundle covers Mac, iPhone, and iPad for a one-time purchase; the US App Store listing showed $14.99 when checked. The site describes iCloud Drive and other file-sync clients as ways to share the same folder across devices.
The important distinction is between the free, open-source Mac build and the paid App Store bundle. The vendor says the App Store purchase covers Mac, iPhone, and iPad on the same Apple account, while the Mac edition can also be installed free from source or its release channel. Notes remain ordinary Markdown files, and the editor pairs source with a typeset preview while adding backlinks and diagram-friendly syntax. That combination serves people who want native Apple apps without moving their notes into a closed database. The product’s folder-based design also means sync depends on iCloud Drive or another file-sync service rather than a MiaoYan-hosted notebook. The US storefront price is a regional snapshot, not a universal quote. No sync behavior was tested.
Strengths
- Notes are stored as plain Markdown files in a folder chosen by the user.
- The product combines a native Mac editor with iPhone and iPad apps that use the same iCloud Drive folder.
- The official site distinguishes the free open-source Mac build from the one-time App Store purchase.
Watch out for
- Cross-device syncing is delegated to iCloud Drive or another file-sync client rather than a MiaoYan-hosted sync service.
- The observed US App Store price may differ by region.
Best for
- Apple users who want Markdown files across Mac, iPhone, and iPad
- Writers who want split Markdown editing and rendered preview without a plugin ecosystem
Sources
- MiaoYan, Markdown notes for Mac, iPhone and iPad (Oct 25, 2026)
- MiaoYan App — App Store (Oct 25, 2026)