icanwrite icon
icanwrite icon

icanwrite

Distraction-free markdown editor for long-form writing with line-by-line AI feedback in the sidebar, customizable prompts, local-first file editing, project-level guidelines, privacy-focused storage, cloud and local AI models, and seamless export options.

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Cost / License

  • Freemium (Subscription)
  • Proprietary

Platforms

  • Mac  12 (Monterey) or later
  • Online  Chromium-based desktop browsers (Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge)
See you folders and overview your work
Pick your default AI model
+6
Use great built-in checks for professional self-editing
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Features

Properties

  1.  Privacy focused
  2.  Distraction-free
  3.  AI-Powered

Features

  1.  Ad-free
  2.  Live Preview
  3.  Spell Checking
  4.  No Tracking
  5.  Support for MarkDown
  6.  Writing assistance
  7.  AI Writing
  8.  Proofreading
  9.  Distraction-free Writing
  10.  Markdown preview

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icanwrite information

  • Developed by

    DE flagMaxim Kotin

  • Licensing

    Proprietary and Freemium product.

  • Pricing

    Subscription ranging between $9 and $10 per month + free version with limited functionality.

  • Alternatives

    7 alternatives listed

  • Supported Languages

    • English
icanwrite was added to AlternativeTo by maxthescribbler on and this page was last updated .
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What is icanwrite?

icanwrite is a distraction-free markdown editor designed for novelists, essayists, and long-form writers who want to polish their manuscripts with AI assistance without losing creative control. It doesn't generate text but treats AI as a co-editor leaving line-by-line feedback and suggestions as comments in the sidebar. It comes with built-in, "batteries included" set of prompts for professional self-editing but, unlike most writing AI apps, gives users full access to prompts - they can customize them or set up their own. It also let's you switch between more than a dozen most advanced AIs and also local models (experimental). icanwrite works directly on your local .md files and folders, ensuring complete ownership of your work with no vendor lock-in and seamless compatibility with tools like Obsidian, Scrivener (via markdown export), and cloud sync folders (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive).

Key Features

  • AI Comments: Run in-depth self-editing checks across your entire document or chapter. The AI reviews your draft and leaves actionable suggestions in the sidebar - similar to a professional editor.
  • On-Demand Selection Chat: Highlight any passage, dialogue snippet, or paragraph to brainstorm alternatives, debate word choices, or refine phrasing directly with AI.
  • Built-in & Custom Self-Editing Prompts: Choose from dozens of crafted self-editing prompts (pacing, dialogue realism, vocabulary precision, continuity, style consistency) or build and customize your own.
  • Project-Level AI Guidelines: Set custom style guides, genre rules, character sheets, and voice constraints per folder so the AI understands the context of your specific project.
  • Local-First & Privacy-Focused: Edits .md files directly on your local disk. Your manuscript text is never stored or retained on icanwrite's remote servers.
  • Flexible Model Selection: Switch between leading cloud models (Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, and more) or run local, privacy-first models.
  • Distraction-Free Environment: Clean typography, minimalist interface, zen mode and font customization.
  • Simple export. Reorder files and export the entire folder as a single markdown file or ePub.

Platform & Availability

  • Web: Works directly in Chromium-based desktop browsers (Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge) using the File System Access API - free to edit locally even without creating an account.
  • Desktop: Native desktop application available for macOS (Windows support and full offline capabilities in development).

Official Links