DITA distinguishes itself from other markup languages in several ways:

Modularity and Reusability: DITA is designed with a modular approach, where content is broken down into discrete units called topics. This allows for high reusability, as topics can be reused across different documents and publications. In contrast, traditional markup languages like HTML are more page-centric and lack the inherent modularity and reusability features of DITA.

Topic-Based Structuring: Because DITA emphasizes topic-based structuring of content, each topic focuses on a specific subject, task, or concept. This approach enhances content organization and retrieval, making it easier for users to find and understand information. Other markup languages often lack this explicit structuring and require more manual effort for content organization.

Content Presentation Independence: DITA separates content from its presentation. Content creators write in DITA without concern for how it will be formatted or displayed. This separation allows for flexibility in delivering content in various formats and styles, including PDF, HTML, mobile-friendly formats, and more. Many other markup languages, such as HTML, are closely tied to specific presentation styles.

Topic Types: DITA provides predefined topic types tailored to specific content purposes (e.g., concept, task, and reference). This categorization assists content authors in selecting the most appropriate format for their content, ensuring that it will be more effectively presented. Other markup languages generally lack these content type distinctions.

Industry Standard: DITA has become an industry-standard XML-based architecture with active maintenance. This standardization ensures interoperability and compatibility with a wide range of authoring, publishing, and content management systems. Other markup languages may lack such standardized support and subsequently have more limited ecosystems.