/compare/markdownload
Save vs MarkDownload
Both tools turn webpages into Markdown. They serve different users, and the right choice depends on what you're actually doing. Here's an honest comparison.
What MarkDownload is great at
Rule-based Firefox/Chrome extension that converts pages to Markdown using Readability.js.
MarkDownload is free, open-source, and does a clean job on simple article pages — the long-form reads you'd expect from Pocket or Instapaper. It also lets you pick a template and runs fully locally with no server round-trip, which some privacy-minded users prefer.
Where Save is the better fit
Save uses AI extraction with 300+ site-specific prompts instead of generic Readability.js — which means it handles YouTube transcripts, Twitter threads, Reddit comment chains, Amazon product pages, and ChatGPT conversations correctly, not just blog posts. Save is also tuned for LLM consumption out of the box (FAQ schema, clean headings, no cruft).
Feature matrix
| Feature | Save | MarkDownload |
|---|---|---|
| AI-powered extraction | ✓ Yes | — No |
| 300+ site-specific rules | ✓ Yes | — No |
| YouTube transcript support | Full AI summary + timestamps | No |
| Twitter/X thread extraction | Full thread, ordered | Partial |
| Reddit comment nesting | ✓ Yes | Article body only |
| ChatGPT/Claude conversation export | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Amazon / e-commerce structured output | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Template system | 20+ templates | Custom templates |
| Free plan | 3 saves/mo | Unlimited |
| Paid plan | $5.99/mo unlimited | Free forever |
| Local-only processing | Server AI pipeline | Fully local |
| Mac & Windows companion app | Save Vault + MCP | — No |
FAQ — Save vs MarkDownload
Is Save better than MarkDownload for everyone?
No. If you only save simple blog posts and articles, MarkDownload is fine (and free). If you save YouTube videos, Twitter threads, Reddit discussions, ChatGPT conversations, or anything that isn't plain article prose, Save produces dramatically better output.
Why does Save use an AI model instead of a local rule?
Readability.js (what MarkDownload uses) was designed for articles with a clear body element. It fails on social content, videos, product pages, dashboards, SPA-rendered pages, and anything with non-trivial structure. An AI model with site-specific prompts handles these correctly.
Is Save open-source like MarkDownload?
The Save website and agent-readiness infrastructure are open-source. The extension, API, and desktop app (Mac and Windows) are closed to keep the business sustainable, but the processing happens in a stateless function that doesn't retain your content beyond the request.
Other comparisons
Try Save free — 3 saves a month
Install in one click. No account required. Upgrade to Plus ($5.99/mo) for unlimited saves anytime.