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 Dendron, ghostwriter, QOwnNotes and Heynote.

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FocusWriter alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Text Editors or Todo List Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of FocusWriter.
FocusWriter iconFocusWriter
  204
  • ...

Simple but configurable and themeable, distraction-free text editor for writers. Open-source and available across desktop platforms.

More about FocusWriter
More about FocusWriter
FocusWriter alternatives page was last updated May 22, 2024
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  1. Zettlr icon
    Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     206 likes
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    From idea to publication in one app: Zettlr accompanies you while writing your blog post, newspaper article, term paper, thesis, or entire book.

    159 Zettlr alternatives
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (light mode)
    The Berlin Theme (dark mode)
    +5
    The Berlin Theme (light mode)

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Works Offline

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5.  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Export to LaTeX
    10.  Syntax Highlighting
    11.  Tasklists
    12.  Interactive tables
    13.  Hierarchical Structure
    14.  Write files in markdown
    15.  Upload images
    16.  Dark Mode
    17.  Sync with Nextcloud
    Zettlr iconFocusWriter Icon

    Zettlr VS FocusWriter

    Is Zettlr a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to FocusWriter
     
    liricospina

    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.)

    Positive comment •Jan 18, 2021
    -2
    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. Dendron icon
    Dendron icon

    Dendron

     63 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.

    188 Dendron alternatives
    Dendron screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
    Dendron screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Local Storage
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Hierarchical Structure
    4.  Block reference
    5.  Graph view
    6.  VSCode
    7.  Backlinks
    8.  Quick reference lookup
    9.  Publishing
    10.  Tagging
    11.  Bidirectional links
    12.  Built-in themes
    13.  Graphs
    Dendron iconFocusWriter Icon

    Dendron VS FocusWriter

    Is Dendron a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
  4. ghostwriter icon
    ghostwriter icon

    ghostwriter

     97 likes
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    No excuses. No distractions. Just write. 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.

    133 ghostwriter alternatives
    ghostwriter screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Mac
    ghostwriter screenshot 1
    ghostwriter screenshot 2
    +1
    ghostwriter screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Works Offline

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Simple text editor
    4.  Stay Focused
    5.  Distraction-free Writing
    6.  Spell Checking
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  Portable
    9.  Writing statistics
    10.  Word counter
    11.  Export to Word
    12.  Support for LaTeX
    13.  WYSIWYG Support
    14.  Syntax Highlighting
    15.  Fullscreen support
    16.  Support for Large File
    ghostwriter iconFocusWriter Icon

    ghostwriter VS FocusWriter

    Is ghostwriter a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
    Comments about ghostwriter as an Alternative to FocusWriter
     
    javillalba
    • Full screen distraction-free.
    • Open Source license.
    • Word count and progress stats.
    Positive comment •Apr 9, 2018
    0
    Krakra

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

    Positive comment •Feb 17, 2019
    0
    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 LightweightFocusWriter is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    ZenWriter icon

    ZenWriter

    ZenWriter, a text editor for Windows that cuts out all the distraction and lets you focus on letting your thoughts flow.

    https://www.beenokle.com
    Learn More
  6. QOwnNotes icon
    QOwnNotes icon

    QOwnNotes

     90 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.

    224 QOwnNotes alternatives
    QOwnNotes main screen

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Qt
    QOwnNotes main screen vertical layout
    QOwnNotes todo list manager
    +3
    QOwnNotes notes diff

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No Tracking

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Plain text file
    4.  Tagging
    5.  Nextcloud integration
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Subtasks
    8.  Synchronization
    9.  Owncloud integration
    10.  iCal integration
    11.  Hostable
    12.  Tag based
    QOwnNotes iconFocusWriter Icon

    QOwnNotes VS FocusWriter

    Is QOwnNotes a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
  7. Heynote icon
    Heynote icon

    Heynote

     13 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...

    45 Heynote alternatives
    Heynote screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Currency Conversion
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Auto Formatting
    6.  Multiple Cursors
    Heynote iconFocusWriter Icon

    Heynote VS FocusWriter

    Is Heynote a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
  8. Rentry.co icon
    Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

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

    176 Rentry.co alternatives
    Live markdown syntax highlighting

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Rentry.co screenshot 1
    Rentry.co screenshot 2
    +1
    Rentry.co screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Live Preview
    3.  Publishing
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6.  Command line interface
    7.  Tab preview
    8.  Distraction-free Writing
    Rentry.co iconFocusWriter Icon

    Rentry.co VS FocusWriter

    Is Rentry.co a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     

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

    • Rentry.co is Free and Open SourceFocusWriter is also Free and Open Source
    • Rentry.co is LightweightFocusWriter is not according to our users
  10. Pages icon
    Pages icon

    Pages

     206 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
    Pages screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Pages screenshot 1
    Pages screenshot 2
    +6
    Pages screenshot 3

    Pages Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Export to PDF
    4.  Hand-write on PDFs
    5.  Sync with iCloud
    6.  ICloud Integration
    7.  Export to EPUB
    8.  Export to Word
    Pages iconFocusWriter Icon

    Pages VS FocusWriter

    Is Pages a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
    Comments about Pages as an Alternative to FocusWriter
     
    elkomodosdrago

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

    Negative comment •Jan 27, 2018
    5
    FocusWriter Icon
    Pages icon

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

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

    Bear

     91 likes
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    Bear is a beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop.

    223 Bear alternatives
    Bear screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Bear screenshot 1
    Bear screenshot 2
    +5
    Bear screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  No registration required

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Nested tags
    6.  Search by tags
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Web Clipper
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  Export to Word
    11.  Export to PDF
    12.  Tagging
    13.  Sync with iCloud
    Bear iconFocusWriter Icon

    Bear VS FocusWriter

    Is Bear a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
  12. Daino Notes icon
    Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes
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    Daino is a fast and elegant place for all your thoughts. Write without fiddling. Store without worrying. Think without distraction.

    56 Daino Notes alternatives
    Daino Notes screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1
    Daino Notes screenshot 2
    +1
    Daino Notes screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Support for Themes
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Full-Text Search
    4.  Distraction-free
    5.  Hierarchical Structure
    6.  Kanban Board
    7.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    8.  Native application
    9.  Tagging
    10.  Note organization
    11.  Tag based
    12.  Distraction-free Writing
    13.  Drag and Drop
    Daino Notes iconFocusWriter Icon

    Daino Notes VS FocusWriter

    Is Daino Notes a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
  13. Carnet icon
    Carnet icon

    Carnet

     38 likes
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    Carnet is a complete and rich note taking app for Android and Linux that can be synced with NextCloud (selfhosted) or the official Carnet server.

    74 Carnet alternatives
    Carnet screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    Carnet screenshot 1
    Carnet screenshot 2
    +3
    Carnet screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Ad-free

    Features

    1.  WYSIWYG Support
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Cloud Sync
    4.  Save Attachments
    5.  Sync with Nextcloud
    Carnet iconFocusWriter Icon

    Carnet VS FocusWriter

    Is Carnet a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
    Comments about Carnet as an Alternative to FocusWriter
     
    Crystale

    It has a great UI and it is Open Source.

    Positive comment •Jun 4, 2019
    0
    FocusWriter Icon
    Carnet icon

    • Carnet is the most popular Android alternative to FocusWriter.

    • Carnet is Free and Open SourceFocusWriter is also Free and Open Source
    • Carnet is Privacy focusedFocusWriter is not according to our users
  14. iA Writer icon
    iA Writer icon

    iA Writer

     93 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.

    113 iA Writer alternatives
    iA Writer screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iA Writer screenshot 1
    iA Writer screenshot 2
    +3
    iA Writer screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Privacy focused
    5.  Lightweight
    6.  No Tracking

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Nested Folders
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Live Preview
    7.  Support for LaTeX
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  Integrated into iOS
    11.  HTML/CSS/JS rendering
    iA Writer iconFocusWriter Icon

    iA Writer VS FocusWriter

    Is iA Writer a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     

    • iA Writer is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to FocusWriter.

    • 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 focused and LightweightFocusWriter is not according to our users
  15. Ulysses icon
    Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     66 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.

    105 Ulysses alternatives
    Ulysses screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
    Ulysses screenshot 2
    +5
    Ulysses screenshot 3

    Ulysses Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Export to PDF
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4.  Export to EPUB
    5.  Tabbed interface
    6.  Sync with iCloud
    7.  Brainstorming
    8.  Support for styluses
    Ulysses iconFocusWriter Icon

    Ulysses VS FocusWriter

    Is Ulysses a good alternative to FocusWriter?
     
12 of 93 FocusWriter alternatives