You review document sets, not just one file
KatanA is stronger when README, ADRs, specs, and release notes need to stay in one workspace flow.
Tool comparison
See where KatanA fits better than a general Markdown editor.
KatanA and Typora both handle Markdown, but in very different ways.
This page keeps the comparison grounded in public facts while making KatanA's strengths clear for split reading, Mermaid (including ZenUML) / PlantUML / Draw.io diagrams, and review-heavy technical documentation.
01
Split preview
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Draw.io inside the app
03
No tool switching
Comparison Scope
KatanA keeps Markdown and diagrams in one review surface
KatanA offers split preview plus Mermaid (including ZenUML) / PlantUML / Draw.io handling, including direct .drawio preview inside the app. Typora remains a strong fit for focused Markdown writing with a single-pane live preview.
Split PreviewLive PreviewMIT License
comparison
Quick comparison
Comparison as of 2026.04.11
- Markdown review focus
- Faster technical-doc checking
- Diagrams for review, not editing
| Tool | Main focus | Startup/runtime | Price | Diagram handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KatanA | Markdown review | Light | Free | Mermaid (including ZenUML) / PlantUML / .drawio |
| Typora | Markdown writing | Light | Paid (USD) | Mermaid-oriented |
| Obsidian | Knowledge base | Slow startup | Free | Mermaid built-in; .drawio via plugins |
| VS Code | General IDE | Depends on extensions | Free | Extension-dependent |
Use it when README / ADR / specs / release notes need to be reviewed as one flow.
Check Markdown, Mermaid (including ZenUML), PlantUML, and .drawio during review instead of editing diagrams by hand.
positioning
Why choose KatanA
Markdown and diagram files stay together
Mermaid (including ZenUML) and PlantUML rendering plus direct .drawio preview keep architecture review inside KatanA instead of pushing it to another app.
You optimize for reading and verification
Typora is stronger for single-document writing, while KatanA is stronger for inspection and review.