t0md vs MarkItDown

Both t0md and MarkItDown convert documents to Markdown. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Feature Comparison

t0md

  • Web-based converter — works in any browser, no install
  • MCP server with streamable-HTTP transport for Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf
  • Supports PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), HTML, JSON
  • Free to use, no API key required
  • Hosted service at t0md.com — always up to date
  • Optimized for speed — most conversions under 2 seconds

MarkItDown

  • Python library — requires local installation
  • Command-line tool for batch processing
  • Supports additional formats: Excel, images (via OCR), EPUB, more
  • Open source under MIT license
  • Local processing — never sends files to a server
  • Extensible plugin system for custom converters

Which Should You Choose?

Choose t0md if you want a web converter with MCP integration for AI agents, no installation needed. Choose MarkItDown if you need a local Python tool with more format support and complete offline operation. Both produce clean Markdown; the main difference is how you access them.

Try t0md Converter

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for AI agents?

t0md has native MCP server support for Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP clients. MarkItDown requires wrapping in your own MCP server. For agent workflows, t0md is plug-and-play.

Which supports more file formats?

MarkItDown supports more formats, including Excel, images with OCR, and EPUB. t0md focuses on the most common formats: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, HTML, and JSON.

Which is faster?

For single files, both are fast (under 3 seconds typical). For batch processing many files, MarkItDown's local CLI may be faster since there's no network overhead.

Can I use both?

Absolutely. Use t0md for quick web conversions and MCP agent workflows. Use MarkItDown when you need formats t0md doesn't support or want to process files completely offline.

Is t0md open source like MarkItDown?

Yes. t0md's server code is open source on GitHub. You can self-host it if you need on-premise deployment.