MDtoLink vs Bear Blog
Bear Blog is a lightweight blogging platform that ships pages under 3kb. MDtoLink is a CLI tool that publishes local markdown files to individual URLs. Both value simplicity, but they solve different problems.
Feature comparison
| Feature | MDtoLink | Bear Blog |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Publish individual files to URLs | Lightweight blogging |
| Writing workflow | Write locally in any editor, publish via CLI | Write in Bear Blog's browser editor |
| CLI publishing | mdtolink publish file.md | No CLI |
| RSS feed | No | Yes (built-in) |
| Email subscribers | No | Yes (premium) |
| Blog index page | No (standalone documents only) | Yes (chronological listing) |
| Page weight | Lightweight HTML rendering | Under 2.7kb per page, zero JS |
| AI agent integration | MCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline | No |
| REST API | Yes. Publish, update, delete, list | No public API |
| Price | Free tier, Pro from $6/mo | Free, premium $5/mo |
When Bear Blog makes more sense
Bear Blog is the right pick if you want an ongoing blog. It gives you a post index, RSS feeds, email subscribers, and pages that load in a blink. The no-tracking, no-JavaScript philosophy means your readers get content and nothing else. It is blogging stripped down to its core.
If you write regularly and want readers to find your posts, subscribe, and come back, Bear Blog handles that. MDtoLink does not have any concept of a blog, feed, or subscriber list.
When MDtoLink makes more sense
MDtoLink is for the times you have a specific file and need a link. You wrote a spec in VS Code. Your AI agent produced a summary. You have a README that needs to be readable by someone without a GitHub account. The file exists. You just need it online.
The terminal-first approach is the key difference. Bear Blog expects you to write in their browser editor. MDtoLink expects you to already have a file. If you prefer writing in Vim, Emacs, VS Code, or Obsidian, MDtoLink fits into that workflow without asking you to change anything.
The API and MCP server also open up automation possibilities. Publish documents from CI/CD, or let your AI agent handle it. Bear Blog's browser-only workflow makes automation harder.
Bloggers vs. developers
Bear Blog is built for people who want to write and publish regularly. The audience is writers who care about simplicity, speed, and reader experience. The product reflects those priorities: minimal design, fast pages, RSS out of the box.
MDtoLink is built for developers who already have markdown files and need URLs for them. The audience is people who work in terminals, use version control, and want their tools to be scriptable. The product reflects that: a CLI, an API, and an MCP server.
See all comparisons or view pricing for plan details.
Frequently asked questions
Is MDtoLink a blogging platform like Bear Blog?
No. MDtoLink publishes individual markdown files to URLs. It does not have RSS feeds, blog indexes, subscriber emails, or chronological post listings. If you want a blog, Bear Blog is the better fit.
Which is simpler, MDtoLink or Bear Blog?
Both are simple, but in different ways. Bear Blog gives you a minimal browser-based editor and a blog with zero JavaScript. MDtoLink gives you a single CLI command that turns a local file into a URL. Bear Blog is simple blogging. MDtoLink is simple publishing.
Does MDtoLink have RSS feeds like Bear Blog?
No. MDtoLink publishes standalone documents without feeds or syndication. Each published file gets its own URL, but there is no index page or RSS output. Bear Blog includes RSS by default.
How does pricing compare between MDtoLink and Bear Blog?
Bear Blog is free for basic use, with a $5/mo premium tier for custom domains, analytics, and email subscribers. MDtoLink has a free tier (5 docs, 7-day expiry) and Pro at $6/mo for unlimited docs and permanent links. The tools serve different purposes, so the value depends on what you need.
Publish a file, get a URL
Not a blog. Not a CMS. Just one command to turn a markdown file into a shareable link. Free to start.