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

Markdown parsing libraries are essential tools in web development that convert Markdown text into HTML. They allow developers to easily integrate Markdown support in applications, enabling users to write content in a simple, readable format that can be rendered as structured HTML. These libraries vary in features, performance, and extensibility, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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marked12,999,97633,264953 kB175 days agoMIT
markdown-it7,611,89818,348767 kB218 months agoMIT
remark2,128,6977,72315.7 kB1a year agoMIT
showdown786,25014,331801 kB215-MIT
Feature Comparison: marked vs markdown-it vs remark vs showdown

Customization and Extensibility

  • marked:

    marked is designed to be minimal and does not offer extensive customization options. It focuses on speed and simplicity, which may limit its extensibility compared to other libraries.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it provides a rich plugin architecture that allows developers to extend its functionality easily. You can create custom rules, add new syntax, or modify existing behavior, making it highly adaptable to specific needs.

  • remark:

    remark is built around a plugin system that enables developers to create custom transformations and linting rules. This modular approach allows for extensive customization and integration of various Markdown processing tasks.

  • showdown:

    showdown offers basic customization through options but lacks a robust plugin system. It allows some configuration of the conversion process, but it is not as extensible as markdown-it or remark.

Performance

  • marked:

    marked is known for its speed and lightweight nature, making it one of the fastest Markdown parsers available. It is ideal for applications where performance is a top priority.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it is optimized for performance, providing a fast parsing engine that can handle large documents efficiently. Its architecture is designed for speed, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

  • remark:

    remark's performance can vary depending on the complexity of the transformations applied. While it is efficient for basic parsing, extensive transformations may impact speed, especially with large documents.

  • showdown:

    showdown is relatively fast for simple conversions but may not match the performance of markdown-it or marked in more complex scenarios. It is suitable for straightforward use cases.

Learning Curve

  • marked:

    marked is easy to learn and use, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Its simple API allows developers to get started quickly without a steep learning curve.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it has a moderate learning curve due to its extensive features and plugin system. Developers may need some time to fully understand its capabilities and how to leverage them effectively.

  • remark:

    remark has a steeper learning curve due to its modular architecture and the need to understand its plugin system. However, once familiar, developers can leverage its full potential for complex Markdown processing.

  • showdown:

    showdown is straightforward and easy to pick up, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels. Its simple API allows for quick implementation with minimal overhead.

Output Quality

  • marked:

    marked generates clean and valid HTML output, but it may not support all Markdown features as comprehensively as markdown-it. It is suitable for most standard use cases.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it produces high-quality HTML output that closely adheres to the Markdown specification. It supports a wide range of Markdown features, ensuring that the rendered output is accurate and consistent.

  • remark:

    remark focuses on producing high-quality output and allows for extensive transformations, ensuring that the final HTML meets specific requirements. Its flexibility is a significant advantage for complex projects.

  • showdown:

    showdown provides decent HTML output that is generally reliable. However, it may not handle all edge cases as effectively as other libraries, which could be a consideration for more complex Markdown.

Community and Support

  • marked:

    marked is widely used and has a large community, ensuring good support and resources. Its popularity means that developers can easily find solutions to common issues.

  • markdown-it:

    markdown-it has a strong community and is actively maintained, with a wealth of plugins and resources available. This support makes it easier for developers to find help and extend functionality.

  • remark:

    remark has a growing community with a focus on modular Markdown processing. While it may not be as large as some other libraries, it has dedicated contributors and resources available.

  • showdown:

    showdown has a decent community and is well-documented, but it may not have as many resources or plugins compared to more popular libraries like markdown-it or marked.

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

    Select marked if you are looking for a lightweight and fast Markdown parser with a straightforward API. It is suitable for projects where performance is critical and you need a simple solution without extensive customization.

  • markdown-it:

    Choose markdown-it if you need a highly customizable and extensible Markdown parser that supports plugins and offers a fast rendering engine. It is ideal for projects that require advanced features like custom syntax or additional functionality through plugins.

  • remark:

    Opt for remark if you want a comprehensive ecosystem for Markdown processing that includes parsing, transforming, and linting. It is perfect for projects that require a modular approach and want to leverage the power of plugins for various transformations and checks.

  • showdown:

    Use showdown if you need a straightforward and easy-to-use Markdown to HTML converter that works well in both Node.js and browser environments. It is great for projects that prioritize simplicity and ease of integration.

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 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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