If you’ve started using a notes app that supports both Markdown and WYSIWYG editing, you’ve probably wondered at some point when one makes more sense than the other. Both work. The question is which one fits what you’re doing right now.
This isn’t an argument for either mode. It’s a quick explanation of what each does and when to reach for it.
What Markdown is
Markdown is a lightweight plain-text format created by John Gruber in 2004. You write with simple symbols (** for bold, # for headings, - for list items) and still have readable text. In some editors those symbols convert (render) to formatted output. However, the underlying file always stays plain text throughout.
According to the 2025 State of Technical Writing survey, 78% of technical writers now use Markdown as their primary format, up from 62% in 2022. Part of the appeal: Markdown renders natively on GitHub, GitLab, Reddit, and dozens of other platforms. Write once, readable everywhere.
For note-taking specifically, the bigger advantage is longevity. Markdown is plain text. It opens in any editor, on any device, now or in ten years.
What WYSIWYG is
WYSIWYG stands for What You See Is What You Get. Instead of typing symbols, you see formatted output as you write. Bold text looks bold. Headings look like headings. It works more like a word processor.
Modern WYSIWYG editors for notes work with Markdown underneath, so portability stays intact. The difference is purely in how you interact with the text while writing.
When Markdown works better
Markdown earns its place in a few situations:
- Fast capture. When you need to write quickly without reaching for a toolbar, Markdown syntax becomes muscle memory. # for a heading, - for a list.
- Technical content. Code blocks, inline code, and links are faster to write in Markdown than through menus.
- Focus mode. A plain-text view with no visual noise helps some writers think more clearly while drafting.
- Portability. Pasting into a terminal, a commit message, or another tool, Markdown syntax travels cleanly.
Markdown is now built into VS Code, GitHub, and GitLab. For anyone working across those environments, keeping notes in Markdown cuts out constant small friction.
When WYSIWYG works better
WYSIWYG is the right call when:
- Formatting a longer document. Tables, structured headings, and mixed content are easier to review visually than in raw Markdown.
- Sharing with non-technical readers. A rendered document is cleaner to hand off than a file full of ## and **.
- Writing on mobile. Typing ## and ** on a touch keyboard is slower than tapping a button. WYSIWYG removes that friction.
- Checking the output. Sometimes you need to see how something will look, not just what the source says.
The strongest setup in 2026 is a hybrid editor that handles both without forcing a choice. The mode should serve the task.
Quick reference
| Situation | Markdown | WYSIWYG |
|---|---|---|
| Fast notes and ideas | Faster syntax | Works fine |
| Formatting a long document | Possible but slower | Easier to review |
| Technical content / code blocks | Native support | Depends on app |
| Writing on mobile | Slower on touch keyboard | Less friction |
| Sharing with non-technical readers | Needs rendering first | Ready to share |
| Exporting / moving to another tool | Always portable | If saved as .md |
How BrewMemo handles both
BrewMemo supports both modes in the same app. Write in Markdown when you want to think fast. Switch to visual mode when you want to format calmly. Both modes write to the same note on your server. Nothing gets lost in the switch.
You don’t commit to one mode. You use whichever fits the moment.
Try BrewMemo on your device for free - available for iOS and Android.