Alternative to MarkDownload
The MarkDownload Replacement
MarkDownload was removed from the Chrome Web Store and hasn't been updated in years. Web2MD is the modern, actively-maintained alternative — with AI integration, smart extractors for Reddit/X/YouTube, and Markdown that preserves what MarkDownload broke.
Switch from MarkDownload →Why people are leaving MarkDownload
Drawn from GitHub issues, Reddit threads, and Chrome Web Store reviews.
“Code blocks come out as walls of <span></span> tags — completely unusable.”
— GitHub Issues #395, #371
“Tables fail to convert — HTML tables collapse into long unreadable sentences.”
— GitHub Issue #298
“Hasn't been updated in 2+ years. Removed from Chrome Web Store for "not following best practices."”
— Chrome Web Store
“No "copy" button — only download. Useless for pasting into Claude or ChatGPT.”
— Reddit / r/ObsidianMD
“MathJax / LaTeX formulas are silently dropped.”
— GitHub Issue #377
MarkDownload vs Web2MD
| Feature | MarkDownload | Web2MD |
|---|---|---|
| Active maintenance | ❌ Abandoned 2+ years | ✅ Weekly updates |
| On Chrome Web Store | ❌ Removed | ✅ Available |
| Code block fidelity | ❌ Residual <span> tags | ✅ Clean code with language detection |
| Table conversion | ❌ Often fails | ✅ Full GFM tables, colspan handled |
| LaTeX / Math | ❌ Dropped | ✅ KaTeX + MathJax preserved as TeX |
| Send to AI (Claude/ChatGPT/Gemini) | ❌ None | ✅ One-click |
| Smart site extractors | Generic Readability only | 20+ (Reddit, X, YouTube, Notion, 小红书...) |
| Save to Obsidian / Notion | Manual | ✅ Native integration |
| Batch convert URLs | ❌ None | ✅ Up to 50 URLs at once |
| API access | ❌ None | ✅ REST + MCP server |
| Price | Free (but unmaintained) | Free tier + Pro at $9/mo |
Why switch to Web2MD
It's not coming back
MarkDownload was delisted from the Chrome Web Store in 2025. The original repo has had no commits in over two years. Issues like broken code blocks, missing LaTeX, and Brave incompatibility will not be fixed.
Code blocks that survive Claude
The #1 MarkDownload complaint is mangled code: residual span tags, dropped indentation, lost language hints. Web2MD detects Highlight.js, Prism, Shiki, and table-based gutters and produces clean fenced blocks every time.
AI workflow built in
MarkDownload only downloads .md files. Web2MD adds one-click "Send to Claude/ChatGPT/Gemini," prompt templates, and a hosted MCP server so AI agents can convert URLs autonomously.
Common questions
Can I import my MarkDownload settings?▼
Most settings (auto-copy, image handling, frontmatter) are reproduced one-for-one in Web2MD's settings panel. Custom rules transfer manually — paste your Readability selectors into Web2MD's site adapter section.
Is Web2MD also free?▼
Yes — there's a free tier with 3 conversions/day, no signup. Pro removes limits, adds batch convert, API, and unlimited history for $9/month.
What about my muted templates / front-matter?▼
Web2MD generates YAML frontmatter for Obsidian by default and lets you customize the template per-domain.
Ready to switch?
Install Web2MD from the Chrome Web Store. Free tier — no signup needed.
Add to Chrome — Free →