Markdown and plain text are both popular for writing notes. They are simple, lightweight, and work on many devices. This article compares both formats to help you choose the right one for your note taking needs.
Markdown vs Plain Text
Markdown and plain text both store written content, but they work differently. Plain text contains only characters. Markdown adds simple symbols that create headings, lists, links, and other formatting when supported.
What Is Plain Text?
Plain text stores only readable characters without formatting.
Plain text includes letters, numbers, symbols, and spaces. It does not save font styles, colors, images, or tables. Files are commonly saved with the .txt extension.
Main Features
- No formatting
- Small file size
- Easy to open
- Works on almost every device
- Easy to edit
What Is Markdown?
Markdown uses simple symbols to create basic formatting.
Markdown files remain readable as plain text, but supported editors can display formatted headings, lists, links, and code blocks. Markdown files often use the .md extension.
Main Features
- Simple formatting
- Readable without special software
- Supports headings and lists
- Supports links
- Supports code blocks
1. Writing Style
Plain text contains only written content.
Markdown allows you to organize notes using simple symbols. For example, adding # creates a heading, while - creates a list. Markdown is better if you want some structure without using a word processor.
Example
Plain Text:
Milk
Bread
Eggs
Markdown:
- Milk
- Bread
- Eggs
2. Readability
Both formats are easy to read.
Plain text shows only the words you type. Markdown includes formatting symbols, but most people can still read the content without difficulty.
Best Choice
Choose plain text if you want the cleanest appearance. Choose Markdown if you want organized notes.
3. Formatting
Formatting is the biggest difference.
Plain text does not support formatting. Markdown supports simple formatting using symbols instead of menus or buttons.
Common Formatting
Markdown supports:
- Headings
- Lists
- Bold text
- Italic text
- Links
- Code blocks
- Quotes
Plain text supports none of these features.
4. Note Organization
Markdown makes large notes easier to manage.
Headings divide topics into sections. Lists help organize ideas. Links connect related notes. Plain text can still organize information, but only through spacing and simple typing.
Better Structure
Markdown works well for notebooks with many topics. Plain text works well for short notes.
5. Software Support
Both formats work on many devices.
Plain text opens in almost every text editor. Markdown opens as text everywhere, but formatting appears only in Markdown supported editors.
Popular Editors
Plain Text: Notepad, TextEdit, Notepad++, Visual Studio Code.
Markdown: Obsidian, Typora, Visual Studio Code, Mark Text.
6. File Size
Both file types are small.
Markdown files contain a few extra symbols, but the size difference is usually very small. For normal notes, storage is rarely a concern.
Storage
Both formats save space compared to many document formats.
7. Best Uses
Each format works better for different tasks.
Plain Text is useful for:
- Simple notes
- Daily reminders
- Short lists
- Basic writing
Markdown is useful for:
- Study notes
- Project notes
- Technical writing
- Documentation
- Research notes
Comparison Table
| Feature | Plain Text | Markdown |
|---|---|---|
| Formatting | No | Yes |
| Headings | No | Yes |
| Lists | Basic typing | Yes |
| Links | Plain text only | Yes |
| Code Blocks | No | Yes |
| Extension | .txt | .md |
Which One Should You Use?
The answer depends on your needs.
Choose plain text if you:
- Want simple notes
- Do not need formatting
- Need maximum compatibility
- Prefer a clean writing space
Choose Markdown if you:
- Want organized notes
- Use headings often
- Need lists and links
- Write long documents
- Use Markdown supported apps
Tips
- Use Plain Text: Choose plain text for fast notes that need no formatting.
- Use Markdown: Choose Markdown for notes with sections, lists, and links.
- Keep Both: Many people use plain text for simple notes and Markdown for larger projects.
Conclusion
Markdown and plain text are both useful for note taking. Plain text is simple and works almost everywhere. Markdown adds basic formatting while keeping files lightweight and easy to read. If you only need written content, plain text is a good choice. If you want better organization with headings and lists, Markdown is the better option.