Classic browser editor vs real-time

Vela Docs vs Dillinger

Dillinger and Vela Docs both run in the browser with no install. Dillinger is the classic dual-pane Markdown editor (since the early 2010s) with cloud sync. Vela Docs adds real-time collaboration, inline comments, and share-by-link. Same starting point, different shape past the first edit.
Drop a file or click to upload
Up to 1 MB · stays in your browser
When to choose Dillinger

Dillinger is the better choice when: you prefer the dual-pane source + preview view. It's the classic Markdown editing UI and it's well-executed.

You sync to Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub, OneDrive, or Medium. Dillinger integrates with all of these natively.

You're writing Markdown alone, not collaborating, and sharing happens later via the sync target.

When to choose Vela Docs

Vela Docs is the better choice when:collaboration matters now. Live cursors, inline comments, share-by-link. Dillinger doesn't have any of these.

The file came from an AI assistant and you want to read or share it without setting up a cloud sync first.

You want the inline-edit UI (click any rendered text and type) rather than dual-pane source + preview.

Feature comparison

 Vela DocsDillinger
Freeyesyes
Browser-based, no installyesyes
Drop a .md file to openyespaste / importpaste / import
Renders GitHub-flavored Markdownyesyes
Real-time co-editingyesno
Inline comments on textyesno
Share-by-linkyesvia cloud syncvia cloud sync
Cloud sync (Dropbox / Drive / GitHub)noyes
Local browser storageyesyes
Renders .html filesyesno
Slide-deck Present modeHTML decksHTML decksno
Inline-edit UIyesno

Comparison reflects standard / free tiers as of 2026. Dillinger's feature set evolves; this page is updated when material differences change.

Common questions

What's Dillinger?
Dillinger is an open-source online Markdown editor that's been around since the early 2010s. It runs at dillinger.io, free, with dual-pane source + preview. Sync targets include Dropbox, GitHub, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Medium.
Does Dillinger support real-time collaboration?
No. Dillinger is single-player. The cloud-sync targets let multiple people edit the same file at different times, but there's no live cursor, no inline comments, no concurrent editing. Vela Docs adds those.
Is Dillinger still actively maintained?
Dillinger sees occasional updates but moves slowly. The core editor experience is stable; new features arrive rarely. The site stays free and ad-light. If you want something stable with cloud sync, it's a solid pick.
How does the editor experience differ?
Dillinger gives you the classic dual-pane view: write Markdown on the left, see preview on the right. Vela Docs hides the syntax, click on the rendered heading or paragraph and type. Different tastes; both work. If you write Markdown daily, dual-pane is often preferred.
Privacy comparison?
Dillinger stores documents in your browser's localStorage by default. Cloud-sync targets (Dropbox, Drive, GitHub) store copies. Vela Docs uses IndexedDB locally, plus Firestore-backed servers only after you click Share, same shape, different backend.
Which is better for AI-generated .md files?
Vela Docs leads with a drop-a-file flow because the file you have is usually one AI just emitted. Dillinger expects you to either paste content or set up cloud sync first. For one-off AI files, Vela is faster; for an ongoing Dropbox-synced workflow, Dillinger fits better.

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