Writer Alternatives

Writer is described as 'Writing application without the fuss and distraction of a traditional word processor. It's perfect for everything from taking notes to writing a novel on your phone or tablet' and is an app in the news & books category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Writer for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web-based and Android apps. The best Writer alternative is Mark Text, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Writer are FocusWriter, Rentry.co, iA Writer and WriteMonkey.

filter to find the best alternatives

Writer alternatives are mainly Text Editors but may also be Note-taking Tools or Word Processors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Writer.
Writer iconWriter
  5
  • Free • Proprietary
  • ...

Writer is a writing application without the fuss and distraction of a traditional word processor. It's perfect for everything from taking notes to writing a novel on your phone or tablet.

More about Writer
More about Writer
Writer alternatives page was last updated Mar 9, 2023
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. Mark Text icon
    Mark Text icon

    Mark Text

     114 likes
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    Mark Text is a Markdown editor for Mac, Windows and Linux. It is a concise text editor, dedicated to improving your editing efficiency.

    102 Mark Text alternatives
    GitHub Flavored Markdown

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Auto-Completion
    Code Fence
    +4
    Source Code Mode

    Top Mark Text Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  WYSIWYG Support
    3.  Real-time inline preview
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Live Preview
    6.  Write files in markdown
    7.  Distraction-free Writing
    8.  Distraction-free
    9.  Text editing
    10.  Tabbed interface
    11.  Nested Folders
    12.  Works Offline
    13.  No registration required
    14.  MIT License
    15.  Electron based
    16.  Command palette
    17.  Integrated Search
    18.  Built-in themes
    19.  Syntax Highlighting
    Discontinued

    MarkText is no longer maintained since July 2022. Last version, 0.17.1, released in March 2022, can be still downloaded from GitHub. A fork a being developed here: https://github.com/jacobwhall/marktext

    Mark Text iconWriter Icon

    Mark Text VS Writer

    Is Mark Text a good alternative to Writer?
     

    • Mark Text is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Writer.

    • Mark Text is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Writer.

    • Mark Text is Free and Open SourceWriter is Free and Proprietary
  2. FocusWriter icon
    FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

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

    93 FocusWriter alternatives
    FocusWriter screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    Themes
    Modify theme
    +7
    Set timer

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Daily progress tracker
    4.  Fullscreen support
    5.  Skin customization
    6.  Auto-saving
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Portable
    12.  Writing statistics
    13.  Multiple languages
    14.  Tabbed interface
    FocusWriter iconWriter Icon

    FocusWriter VS Writer

    Is FocusWriter a good alternative to Writer?
     
  4. 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 iconWriter Icon

    Rentry.co VS Writer

    Is Rentry.co a good alternative to Writer?
     

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

    • Rentry.co is Free and Open SourceWriter is Free and Proprietary
    • Rentry.co is LightweightWriter 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. 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.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Nested Folders
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Support for LaTeX
    11.  Syntax Highlighting
    12.  No Tracking
    13.  Spell Checking
    14.  Integrated into iOS
    15.  HTML/CSS/JS rendering
    iA Writer iconWriter Icon

    iA Writer VS Writer

    Is iA Writer a good alternative to Writer?
     

    • iA Writer is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Writer.

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

    • iA Writer is Paid and ProprietaryWriter is Free and Proprietary
    • iA Writer is Privacy focused and LightweightWriter is not according to our users
  7. WriteMonkey icon
    WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     125 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.

    98 WriteMonkey alternatives
    The interface, full screen.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    The interface, windowed.
    Some options.
    +4
    WriteMonkey screenshot 3

    WriteMonkey Features

    1.  Pomodoro Timer
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Portable
    5.  Command palette
    6.  Distraction-free Writing
    7.  Fullscreen support
    WriteMonkey iconWriter Icon

    WriteMonkey VS Writer

    Is WriteMonkey a good alternative to Writer?
     
  8. scrutch icon
    scrutch icon

    scrutch

     5 likes
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    End-to-encrypted, laser-focussed yet elegant editor. No registration, no login, no ads, no tracking, no hassle. Just write. In private or together with others.

    288 scrutch alternatives
    scrutch screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Real time collaboration
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Distraction-free
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Distraction-free Writing
    12.  Share notes
    13.  Progressive Web App
    14.  Collaborative writing
    15.  Encrypted Notes
    16.  Public Links
    scrutch iconWriter Icon

    scrutch VS Writer

    Is scrutch a good alternative to Writer?
     

    • scrutch is the most popular SaaS alternative to Writer.

    • scrutch is Free and ProprietaryWriter is also Free and Proprietary
    • scrutch is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWriter is not according to our users
  10. ZenWriter icon
    ZenWriter icon

    ZenWriter

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

    61 ZenWriter alternatives
    ZenWriter screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    ZenWriter Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Fullscreen support
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    ZenWriter screenshot 1
    ZenWriter screenshot 2
    ZenWriter iconWriter Icon

    ZenWriter VS Writer

    Is ZenWriter a good alternative to Writer?
     
  11. Q10 icon
    Q10 icon

    Q10

     57 likes
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    Q10 is a simple but powerful text editor designed and built with writers in mind.

    38 Q10 alternatives
    Q10 screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Q10 screenshot 1

    Q10 Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4.  Fullscreen support
    5.  Multiple languages
    Discontinued

    Last version dates from 2011.

    Q10 iconWriter Icon

    Q10 VS Writer

    Is Q10 a good alternative to Writer?
     
  12. Paper icon
    Paper icon

    Paper

     4 likes
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    Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.

    125 Paper alternatives
    Paper screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Paper screenshot 1
    Paper screenshot 2
    +9
    Paper screenshot 3

    Paper Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  WYSIWYG Support
    4.  Distraction-free
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Fullscreen support
    8.  Distraction-free Writing
    Paper iconWriter Icon

    Paper VS Writer

    Is Paper a good alternative to Writer?
     
  13. WriteRoom icon
    WriteRoom icon

    WriteRoom

     50 likes
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    For Mac users to write without distractions. WriteRoom is a full screen writing environment. Unlike the cluttered word processors you're used to, WriteRoom lets you focus on writing. Requires Mac OS X 10.

    100 WriteRoom alternatives
    Mac OS Screen

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac

    WriteRoom Features

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Fullscreen support
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    Discontinued

    The program is no longer available for iOS. The Mac version, v3.2.1, released in August 2012, can be still bought from the AppStore.

    WriteRoom iconWriter Icon

    WriteRoom VS Writer

    Is WriteRoom a good alternative to Writer?
     
  14. JotterPad icon
    JotterPad icon

    JotterPad

     22 likes
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    Designed for creative writers, JotterPad is a plain text editor without the fuss and distraction of a word processor. It is perfect for writing books, novels, lyrics, poems, essays, drafts and screenplays.

    35 JotterPad alternatives
    JotterPad Android interface

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    JotterPad text editor
    Dark theme
    +9
    Built-in thesaurus, dictionary and rhyming dictionary

    JotterPad Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Onedrive integration
    5.  Distraction-free Writing
    6.  Google Drive integration
    7.  Transactional SMS
    8.  Dropbox integration
    9.  Ebook writer
    10.  Screenwriting
    JotterPad iconWriter Icon

    JotterPad VS Writer

    Is JotterPad a good alternative to Writer?
     
  15. Dark Room icon
    Dark Room icon

    Dark Room

     13 likes
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    Dark Room is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text.

    37 Dark Room alternatives
    Dark Room screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Dark Room Features

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Support for LaTeX
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Distraction-free Writing
    Dark Room iconWriter Icon

    Dark Room VS Writer

    Is Dark Room a good alternative to Writer?
     
    Comments about Dark Room as an Alternative to Writer
     
    Tracey Simmons

    This keeps you in the dark but with all the tools and knowledge you need.

    Positive comment •Mar 9, 2023
    0
    Writer Icon
    Dark Room icon
    • Dark Room is Free and ProprietaryWriter is also Free and Proprietary
12 of 30 Writer alternatives