Markdoc vs Starlight: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Markdoc and Starlight comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Markdoc
A powerful, flexible, Markdown-based authoring framework for custom documentation and content sites.
Best for you if:
- • A Markdown-based authoring framework for documentation.
- • Open-source, extensible, and developer-friendly.
Starlight
Documentation site builder by Astro
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Starlight is a documentation framework built on Astro
- • It creates fast, accessible documentation sites with minimal config
| At a Glance |  Markdoc |  Starlight |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Documentation | Documentation |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Markdoc | Starlight |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DocumentationCMS | DocumentationStatic Site Generators |
How Markdoc and Starlight Compare
Markdoc
A powerful, flexible, Markdown-based authoring framework for custom documentation and content sites.
Free
Starlight
Documentation site builder by Astro
Free · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Markdoc
Want the highest-rated option?
Starlight scores 82/100. Markdoc is unrated.
Go with: Starlight
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Starlight
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are documentation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Starlight
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Markdoc
The Bottom Line
Starlight (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Markdoc or Starlight better?
Starlight scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Markdoc and Starlight used for?
Markdoc: A powerful, flexible, Markdown-based authoring framework for custom documentation and content sites.. Starlight: Documentation site builder by Astro.
What does Markdoc cost vs Starlight?
Markdoc is completely free. Starlight is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.