FocusWriter AlternativesText Editors and other similar apps like FocusWriter

FocusWriter is described as 'Simple but configurable and themeable, distraction-free text editor for writers. Open-source and available across desktop platforms' and is a very popular Text Editor in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to FocusWriter for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web-based and iPhone apps. The best FocusWriter alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like FocusWriter are ghostwriter, QOwnNotes, Trudido and Dendron.

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Alternatives list

  1. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     245 likes
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    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    175 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
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    1
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to FocusWriter
    liricospina
    Positive
    -2

    This program does not work in any other version of Mac OS but the very latest, which by all accounts is still to be avoided. (Apparently. working remotely has made the macsters overzealously productive in an attempt to remain useful and banish boredom, at mac users' expense.)

    FocusWriter Icon
    Zettlr icon

    • Zettlr is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Zettlr is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceFocusWriter is also Free and Open Source
    • Zettlr is Privacy focusedFocusWriter is not according to our users
  2. ghostwriter icon

    ghostwriter

     109 likes
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    ghostwriter is a feature-rich text editor using Markdown syntax which makes it suitable for note-taking, document redaction, simple HTML website creation and much more.

    136 ghostwriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    ghostwriter screenshot 1
     
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    2
    9
    Comments about ghostwriter as an Alternative to FocusWriter
    javillalba
    Positive
    0
    • Full screen distraction-free.
    • Open Source license.
    • Word count and progress stats.
    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krakra
    Positive
    0

    very nice tool - i like it much more than Write and use it as alternative to it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FocusWriter Icon
    ghostwriter icon

    • Most users think ghostwriter is a great FocusWriter alternative.

    • ghostwriter is Free and Open SourceFocusWriter is also Free and Open Source
    • ghostwriter is Privacy focusedFocusWriter is not according to our users
  4. QOwnNotes icon

    QOwnNotes

     96 likes
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    Plain text notepad with markdown support and todo list manager for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, that works together with the notes application of ownCloud.

    261 QOwnNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Qt
    QOwnNotes main screen
     
  5. Trudido icon

    Trudido

     13 likes
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    Offline in-device task manager and note app featuring smart creation, advanced organization, calendar and list views, Markdown notes, secure SHA-256 encryption, Material You theming, multiple color themes, no tracking or ads, and import/export for total ownership.

    34 Trudido alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Trudido screenshot 1
    Trudido screenshot 2
    Trudido screenshot 3
     

    • Trudido is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Trudido is Free and Open SourceFocusWriter is also Free and Open Source
    • Trudido is Privacy focused and MinimalisticFocusWriter is not according to our users
  6. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     71 likes
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    Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.

    202 Dendron alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
     
  7. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

     55 likes
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    Rentry.co is a markdown pastebin and publishing service with preview, custom urls and editing. Fast, simple and free.

    179 Rentry.co alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Live markdown syntax highlighting
     

    • Rentry.co is the most popular Web-based alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Rentry.co is Free and ProprietaryFocusWriter is Free and Open Source
    • Rentry.co is MinimalisticFocusWriter is not according to our users
  9. Pages icon

    Pages

     212 likes
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    Pages is a powerful word processor that lets you create stunning documents, and comes included with most Apple devices. And with real-time collaboration, your team can work together from anywhere, whether they’re on Mac, iPad, iPhone, or using a PC.

    77 Pages alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Online
    Pages screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Pages as an Alternative to FocusWriter
    elkomodosdrago
    Negative
    5

    Pages lacks the same focus upon a distraction-free full-screen environment.

    FocusWriter Icon
    Pages icon

    • Some users think Pages is a great FocusWriter alternative, some don't.

    • Pages is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Pages is Free and ProprietaryFocusWriter is Free and Open Source
  10. Bear icon

    Bear

     94 likes
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    Flexible note-taking and writing tool featuring advanced markdown with in-line images, cross-note links, live preview, hashtags, Focus Mode, plain text storage, iCloud sync, one-tap formatting, smart data recognition, and multiple export formats for portability.

    246 Bear alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Bear screenshot 1
     
  11. Heynote icon

    Heynote

     19 likes
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    Heynote is a dedicated scratchpad for developers. It functions as a large persistent text buffer where you can write down anything you like. Works great for that Slack message you don't want to accidentally send, a JSON response from an API you're working with, notes...

    55 Heynote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Heynote screenshot 1
     
  12. WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     130 likes
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    Writemonkey is a Windows zenware writing application with an extremely stripped down user interface, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your words.

    102 WriteMonkey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    The interface, full screen.
     
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    1
    10
    Comments about WriteMonkey as an Alternative to FocusWriter
    callyw
    Positive
    1

    WriteMonkey has the same ability to customize the writing window and fonts It does have more features, with markdown support, for example, but it offers the same full screen distraction-free writing experience. It is also free and can be run as a portable app like FocusWriter.

    FocusWriter Icon
    WriteMonkey icon

    • Almost everyone thinks WriteMonkey is a great FocusWriter alternative.

    • WriteMonkey is Freemium and ProprietaryFocusWriter is Free and Open Source
  13. iA Writer icon

    iA Writer

     96 likes
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    The key to good writing is not that magical glass of Bordeaux, the right kind of tobacco or that groovy background music. The key is focus. What you need to write well is a spartan setting that allows you to fully concentrate on your text and nothing but your text.

    117 iA Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iA Writer screenshot 1
     

    • iA Writer is the most popular commercial alternative to FocusWriter.

    • iA Writer is Paid and ProprietaryFocusWriter is Free and Open Source
    • iA Writer is Privacy focusedFocusWriter is not according to our users
  14. Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     69 likes
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    Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.

    124 Ulysses alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
     
12 of 98 FocusWriter alternatives