marked vs micromark vs markdown-it vs remark vs showdown
Markdown Parsing Libraries Comparison
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What's Markdown Parsing Libraries?

Markdown parsing libraries are tools that convert Markdown text into HTML. They are essential for web development, especially for applications that allow users to input formatted text. These libraries vary in features, performance, and extensibility, making it important to choose the right one based on specific project requirements. Each library has its unique strengths, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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marked11,553,07634,015968 kB2023 days agoMIT
micromark11,001,7151,905210 kB45 days agoMIT
markdown-it7,498,80819,039767 kB48a year agoMIT
remark2,040,8427,98815.7 kB0a year agoMIT
showdown748,98714,487801 kB222-MIT
Feature Comparison: marked vs micromark vs markdown-it vs remark vs showdown

Extensibility

  • marked:

    marked is less extensible compared to markdown-it, focusing instead on performance and simplicity. It does not support plugins natively, which may limit customization options for advanced use cases.

  • micromark:

    micromark is built with a modular architecture, allowing developers to create custom extensions and parsers. This makes it a great choice for those who want to implement specific Markdown features or syntax.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it is designed with extensibility in mind, allowing developers to create custom plugins to enhance its functionality. This makes it suitable for applications that require specific Markdown features or custom rendering logic.

  • remark:

    remark is highly extensible, offering a rich ecosystem of plugins that can transform Markdown content in various ways. It allows for extensive manipulation and customization, making it ideal for complex Markdown processing tasks.

  • showdown:

    showdown has limited extensibility compared to others, focusing primarily on converting Markdown to HTML. It offers some configuration options but does not support plugins or extensive customization.

Performance

  • marked:

    marked is known for its speed, making it one of the fastest Markdown parsers available. It is ideal for applications where performance is a critical factor, especially when processing large amounts of Markdown text.

  • micromark:

    micromark is designed for performance and compliance, offering a balance between speed and adherence to the CommonMark specification. It is efficient for projects that require both performance and strict Markdown compliance.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it is optimized for performance, providing fast parsing speeds while maintaining flexibility. It is suitable for applications that require quick rendering of Markdown content without sacrificing features.

  • remark:

    remark may not be as fast as other libraries due to its extensive transformation capabilities, but it is still performant for most use cases. It is best for projects where Markdown manipulation is more important than raw parsing speed.

  • showdown:

    showdown provides decent performance for simple Markdown to HTML conversions. While it may not be the fastest option, it is sufficient for lightweight applications that do not require heavy processing.

Learning Curve

  • marked:

    marked is easy to learn and integrate into projects, making it a great choice for developers who need a quick solution without a steep learning curve. Its simplicity allows for rapid implementation.

  • micromark:

    micromark has a steeper learning curve due to its low-level API and focus on compliance. It is best suited for developers who are comfortable with Markdown specifications and want to build custom solutions.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers who want to take full advantage of its extensibility features. Basic usage is straightforward, but advanced customization may require a deeper understanding of its API.

  • remark:

    remark has a moderate learning curve, particularly for those unfamiliar with its plugin architecture. However, once understood, it offers powerful capabilities for Markdown processing and transformation.

  • showdown:

    showdown is very easy to learn and use, making it ideal for beginners or those looking for a quick Markdown conversion solution. Its straightforward API allows for rapid implementation.

Usage Scenario

  • marked:

    marked is ideal for scenarios where performance is critical, such as real-time Markdown previews in web applications or lightweight static site generators.

  • micromark:

    micromark is best for projects that need strict adherence to Markdown specifications, such as documentation generators or tools that require precise Markdown parsing.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it is suitable for applications that require a high degree of customization and extensibility, such as content management systems or blogging platforms where users can input complex Markdown.

  • remark:

    remark excels in scenarios that involve complex Markdown transformations, such as static site generators that need to process and manipulate Markdown content extensively.

  • showdown:

    showdown is perfect for simple applications that require quick Markdown to HTML conversion, such as comment sections or basic content editors.

Community and Support

  • marked:

    marked has a solid user base and good documentation, making it easy to find support and resources. Its simplicity and performance have made it a popular choice among developers.

  • micromark:

    micromark is relatively new but has gained traction due to its compliance and performance. The community is growing, and documentation is improving, making it a viable option for modern projects.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it has a strong community and is well-documented, providing ample resources for developers looking to extend its functionality. The availability of plugins and examples enhances its usability.

  • remark:

    remark has a vibrant community and a rich ecosystem of plugins, providing extensive support and resources for developers. Its documentation is comprehensive, aiding in learning and implementation.

  • showdown:

    showdown has a smaller community compared to others, but it is still well-documented and easy to use. Support may be limited, but its simplicity makes it easy to implement without much assistance.

How to Choose: marked vs micromark vs markdown-it vs remark vs showdown
  • marked:

    Select marked for a fast and straightforward Markdown parser that is easy to use and integrates well with existing projects. It is suitable for applications where performance is critical and where you need a simple solution without many dependencies.

  • micromark:

    Opt for micromark if you are looking for a modern, low-level Markdown parser that adheres closely to the CommonMark specification. It is perfect for developers who want to build their own Markdown processing tools or need a highly compliant parser.

  • markdown-it:

    Choose markdown-it if you need a highly extensible and customizable Markdown parser that supports plugins and offers a robust API. It's ideal for projects requiring extensive customization and advanced features like syntax highlighting and custom rendering.

  • remark:

    Use remark if you require a powerful Markdown processor that allows for extensive transformations and manipulations of Markdown content. It is particularly beneficial for projects that involve complex Markdown processing and require a rich ecosystem of plugins.

  • showdown:

    Choose showdown if you need a lightweight and easy-to-use Markdown to HTML converter that works well in both client-side and server-side environments. It is suitable for quick implementations and projects that prioritize simplicity.

Similar Npm Packages to marked

marked is a fast and lightweight Markdown parser and compiler for JavaScript. It allows developers to convert Markdown text into HTML efficiently, making it a popular choice for applications that require Markdown support. With its simple API and high performance, marked is widely used in various projects, from static site generators to content management systems. However, there are several alternatives available that also provide Markdown parsing capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • markdown-it is a powerful and flexible Markdown parser that supports a wide range of Markdown features and extensions. It is designed to be extensible, allowing developers to add custom rules and plugins to enhance its functionality. markdown-it is ideal for applications that require advanced Markdown features, such as tables, footnotes, and custom syntax. Its extensibility makes it a great choice for projects that need to customize the Markdown parsing experience.
  • remark is a Markdown processor powered by plugins, which allows developers to parse, transform, and stringify Markdown content. It is part of the unified ecosystem, which focuses on building a modular and extensible approach to processing content. remark is particularly useful for projects that require complex transformations or linting of Markdown content. Its plugin architecture enables developers to create custom workflows tailored to their specific needs.
  • showdown is a JavaScript Markdown to HTML converter that is simple to use and easy to integrate into web applications. It provides a straightforward API for converting Markdown text into HTML, making it suitable for projects that need basic Markdown functionality without the overhead of more complex libraries. showdown is a good choice for developers looking for a lightweight solution that gets the job done without additional features.

To explore how marked compares with markdown-it, remark, and showdown, check out the comparison: Comparing markdown-it vs marked vs remark vs showdown.

Similar Npm Packages to micromark

micromark is a modern Markdown parser that focuses on performance and extensibility. It is designed to be fast and lightweight while providing a robust API for developers to work with. Micromark is built with a focus on compliance with the CommonMark specification, making it a reliable choice for converting Markdown to HTML. Its modular architecture allows for easy customization and extension, making it suitable for various use cases in web applications.

While micromark is a powerful option for parsing Markdown, there are several alternatives in the ecosystem that also serve this purpose. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • markdown-it is a flexible and extensible Markdown parser that supports a wide range of plugins and features. It is known for its speed and ease of use, making it a popular choice for projects that require Markdown parsing. Markdown-it allows developers to customize the parsing process and extend its capabilities with plugins, making it suitable for both simple and complex Markdown processing needs.

  • marked is another widely used Markdown parser that is known for its speed and simplicity. It provides a straightforward API for converting Markdown to HTML and is highly configurable. Marked is particularly useful for projects that prioritize performance and require a quick and easy way to render Markdown content.

  • remark is a Markdown processor powered by plugins. It allows developers to parse, transform, and compile Markdown content using a unified ecosystem of plugins. Remark is highly extensible and can be used for a variety of tasks, including linting, transforming, and rendering Markdown. If you need a more comprehensive solution that can handle complex Markdown processing, remark is an excellent choice.

  • showdown is a JavaScript Markdown to HTML converter that is easy to use and integrates well with web applications. It provides a simple API for converting Markdown text into HTML and supports various options for customization. Showdown is a good option for projects that require a straightforward solution for rendering Markdown without the need for extensive configuration.

To explore how micromark compares with markdown-it, marked, remark, and showdown, check out the comparison: Comparing markdown-it vs marked vs micromark vs remark vs showdown.

Similar Npm Packages to markdown-it

markdown-it is a powerful Markdown parser and compiler for JavaScript. It allows developers to convert Markdown text into HTML, making it a popular choice for applications that require rich text formatting. With its extensible architecture, markdown-it supports a variety of plugins that can enhance its functionality, such as adding support for tables, footnotes, and custom syntax. Its performance and flexibility make it suitable for both small projects and large applications that need to render Markdown content efficiently.

While markdown-it is a robust option, there are other libraries available that also provide Markdown parsing capabilities. Here are a few alternatives:

  • remark is a Markdown processor powered by plugins. It is part of the unified ecosystem, which allows for a wide range of transformations on Markdown content. remark focuses on the syntax tree, enabling developers to manipulate Markdown in a more programmatic way. This makes it an excellent choice for projects that require extensive customization and processing of Markdown content, such as static site generators or documentation tools. With its plugin architecture, remark can be tailored to fit specific needs, making it highly versatile.

  • showdown is another popular Markdown to HTML converter. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it a great choice for simple applications that need to convert Markdown to HTML without the overhead of additional features. showdown is particularly useful for projects where performance is a priority, as it has a minimal footprint and straightforward API. If you need a quick and efficient way to render Markdown in your application without the need for extensive customization, showdown is an excellent option.

To compare these packages, check out the following link: Comparing markdown-it vs remark vs showdown.

Similar Npm Packages to remark

remark is a powerful Markdown processor built on the unified ecosystem, designed to parse and transform Markdown content. It allows developers to work with Markdown in a structured way, enabling the creation of custom plugins and transformations. With its extensible architecture, remark is particularly useful for applications that require advanced Markdown processing, such as static site generators or documentation tools.

While remark offers a robust solution for handling Markdown, there are several alternatives available in the ecosystem that cater to different needs:

  • markdown-it is a fast and flexible Markdown parser that is designed to be extensible and customizable. It supports a wide range of Markdown features and syntax, making it a popular choice for projects that require a high level of compatibility with Markdown specifications. markdown-it also allows for the creation of plugins to extend its functionality, making it suitable for both simple and complex Markdown processing tasks.
  • marked is another widely used Markdown parser that emphasizes speed and simplicity. It is designed to convert Markdown into HTML quickly, making it a great choice for applications where performance is critical. marked supports a subset of the CommonMark specification and is easy to integrate into projects. If you need a straightforward solution for converting Markdown to HTML without the need for extensive customization, marked is an excellent option.
  • showdown is a JavaScript Markdown to HTML converter that is simple to use and lightweight. It provides a straightforward API for converting Markdown text into HTML, making it suitable for applications that require basic Markdown processing without additional complexity. showdown is particularly useful for projects that need a quick and easy way to render Markdown content in the browser or on the server.

To see how remark compares with markdown-it, marked, and showdown, check out the comparison: Comparing markdown-it vs marked vs remark vs showdown.

Similar Npm Packages to showdown

showdown is a popular JavaScript library that converts Markdown into HTML. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it a great choice for developers looking to integrate Markdown support into their web applications. Showdown provides a simple API for converting Markdown text to HTML, and it supports a variety of Markdown features, including tables, lists, and code blocks. Its flexibility and ease of integration make it a preferred option for many developers working with Markdown content.

However, there are several alternatives to Showdown that also provide Markdown parsing and rendering capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • markdown-it is a powerful Markdown parser that is highly extensible and customizable. It supports a wide range of Markdown features and allows developers to create plugins to extend its functionality. Markdown-it is known for its performance and flexibility, making it suitable for applications that require advanced Markdown processing. If you need a robust solution with a rich plugin ecosystem, markdown-it is an excellent choice.

  • marked is another fast and lightweight Markdown parser that is designed for speed and efficiency. It is simple to use and provides a straightforward API for converting Markdown to HTML. Marked is particularly known for its performance, making it ideal for applications that need to render large amounts of Markdown content quickly. If you prioritize speed and simplicity, marked is a solid option.

  • remarkable is a Markdown parser that focuses on extensibility and customization. It offers a variety of features, including support for custom syntax and plugins. Remarkable is designed to be fast and efficient while providing a high level of customization for developers who need specific Markdown features. If you are looking for a parser that allows for deep customization, remarkable is worth considering.

To compare these packages and see how they stack up against each other, check out the following link: Comparing markdown-it vs marked vs remarkable vs showdown.

README for marked

Marked

npm install size downloads github actions snyk

  • ⚡ built for speed
  • ⬇️ low-level compiler for parsing markdown without caching or blocking for long periods of time
  • ⚖️ light-weight while implementing all markdown features from the supported flavors & specifications
  • 🌐 works in a browser, on a server, or from a command line interface (CLI)

Demo

Checkout the demo page to see marked in action ⛹️

Docs

Our documentation pages are also rendered using marked 💯

Also read about:

Compatibility

Node.js: Only current and LTS Node.js versions are supported. End of life Node.js versions may become incompatible with Marked at any point in time.

Browser: Not IE11 :)

Installation

CLI:

npm install -g marked

In-browser:

npm install marked

Usage

Warning: 🚨 Marked does not sanitize the output HTML. Please use a sanitize library, like DOMPurify (recommended), sanitize-html or insane on the output HTML! 🚨

DOMPurify.sanitize(marked.parse(`<img src="x" onerror="alert('not happening')">`));

CLI

# Example with stdin input
$ marked -o hello.html
hello world
^D
$ cat hello.html
<p>hello world</p>

# Print all options
$ marked --help

Browser

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8"/>
  <title>Marked in the browser</title>
</head>
<body>
  <div id="content"></div>
  <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/marked/marked.min.js"></script>
  <script>
    document.getElementById('content').innerHTML =
      marked.parse('# Marked in the browser\n\nRendered by **marked**.');
  </script>
</body>
</html>

or import esm module

<script type="module">
  import { marked } from "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/marked/lib/marked.esm.js";
  document.getElementById('content').innerHTML =
    marked.parse('# Marked in the browser\n\nRendered by **marked**.');
</script>

License

Copyright (c) 2011-2022, Christopher Jeffrey. (MIT License)

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