Essential Mac Apps
Glance
Native Markdown viewer for Mac.
Glance is a native Markdown viewer for macOS. Open a .md file and it renders headings, tables, code, Mermaid diagrams, and LaTeX with a native engine.
Reading is free and does not need an account. Glance Pro adds editing: click the text, type, and the same file is saved as Markdown. A 14-day trial starts the first time you edit. It does not ask for a card. When the trial ends, Glance returns to a viewer and the files stay as they are.
From Finder, select a Markdown file and press Space for a Quick Look preview. Search inside a file highlights each match. A trackpad pinch zooms around the pointer. Glance also pretty-prints JSON and YAML.
Glance runs on macOS 14 or later, on Apple Silicon. Install the DMG, move Glance into Applications, and open it once so macOS registers the Quick Look preview. The download on glance.md is version 0.2.2, about 9.8 MB.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glance free?
Reading is free. Glance Pro is a one-time license at $9.99, for up to three Macs, with a year of updates.
How does the Pro trial work?
The trial lasts 14 days and starts the first time you edit. There is no card and no sign-up. After it ends, Glance is a viewer again. You can buy a license later to keep editing.
Which files does Glance open?
.md, .markdown, .mdown, .mkd, and .mkdn, plus plain text. JSON and YAML are shown with syntax colors.
Which Macs can run Glance?
macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon. The developer does not offer an Intel build, an iPhone app, or an iPad app.
Does Glance send my files anywhere?
Glance checks glance.md for updates, and a Pro license is checked with Polar when the app launches. Those calls do not include your documents. A linked image on the web is downloaded so it can be shown. Glance has no analytics, and update checks can be turned off in Settings.
How do refunds work?
Email hello@glance.md within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, from the address you bought with, or reply to the Polar receipt. Polar Software, Inc. processes the refund. The license then stops working and Glance returns to the free viewer. Files you already edited stay on disk.
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