Zen AlternativesWord Processors and other similar apps like Zen

Zen is described as 'Helps you to focus on your writing... It's writing only. It's fullscreen. It's Zen' and is a Word Processor in the news & books category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Zen for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, Linux and iPhone apps. The best Zen alternative is FocusWriter, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Zen are Rentry.co, iA Writer, WriteMonkey and scrutch.

Zen iconZen
  2
  • ...

Zen helps you to focus on your writing... It's writing only. It's fullscreen. It's Zen.

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Zen alternatives page was last updated May 22, 2025
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  1. FocusWriter icon

    FocusWriter

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

    95 FocusWriter alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    FocusWriter screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Customizable

    Features

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

    FocusWriter VS Zen

     

    • FocusWriter is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to Zen.

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

    • FocusWriter is Free and Open SourceZen is Paid and Proprietary
    • FocusWriter is LightweightZen is not according to our users
  2. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

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

    178 Rentry.co alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    Live markdown syntax highlighting

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Minimalistic

    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 VS Zen

     

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

    • Rentry.co is Free and ProprietaryZen is Paid and Proprietary
    • Rentry.co is LightweightZen is not according to our users
  4. iA Writer icon

    iA Writer

     94 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.

    115 iA Writer alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Nested Folders
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  No registration required
    9. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    10.  Syntax Highlighting
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Integrated into iOS

    iA Writer VS Zen

     

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

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

    • iA Writer is Paid and ProprietaryZen is also Paid and Proprietary
    • iA Writer is Privacy focused and LightweightZen is not according to our users
  5. WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     127 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.

    100 WriteMonkey alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • SI flagSlovenia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    The interface, full screen.

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Customizable

    Features

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

    WriteMonkey VS Zen

     
  6. scrutch icon

    scrutch

     6 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.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    scrutch screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused
    4.  Security-focused
    5.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  Full-Text Search
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Support for MarkDown
    10.  Distraction-free Writing
    11.  Encrypted Notes
    12.  Collaborative writing

    scrutch VS Zen

     

    • scrutch is the most popular SaaS alternative to Zen.

    • scrutch is Free and ProprietaryZen is Paid and Proprietary
    • scrutch is Lightweight and Privacy focusedZen is not according to our users
  7. OmmWriter icon

    OmmWriter

     46 likes
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    Ommwriter is a simple text processor that firmly believes in making writing a pleasure once again, reinvindicating the close relationship between writer and paper. The more intimate the relation, the smoother the flow of inspiration.

    51 OmmWriter alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • ES flagSpain
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    OmmWriter screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    OmmWriter VS Zen

     
  9. Byword icon

    Byword

     52 likes
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    Byword is designed to make writing more enjoyable with Markdown on your Mac, iPhone and iPad.

    148 Byword alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • PT flagPortugal
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Byword screenshot 1

    Byword Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4. Dropbox icon  Dropbox integration
    5.  Synchronization

    Byword VS Zen

     
  10. ZenWriter icon

    ZenWriter

     29 likes
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    ZenWriter is a full-screen text editor that minimizes distractions with its tranquil, zen-like interface for Windows, offering limited formatting options designed to support uninterrupted writing flow and creativity while providing a calm atmosphere for authors and poets.

    61 ZenWriter alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • UA flagUkraine

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ZenWriter screenshot 1

    ZenWriter Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Fullscreen support
    3.  Distraction-free Writing

    ZenWriter VS Zen

     
  11. Q10 icon

    Q10

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

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Q10 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Last version dates from 2011.

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

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

    Q10 VS Zen

     
  12. Paper - Writing App icon

    Paper - Writing App

     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.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Paper - Writing App screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Minimalistic
    3.  Customizable

    Features

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

    Paper - Writing App VS Zen

     
  13. 750 Words icon

    750 Words

     16 likes
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    750 Words is an online plain text editor with autosave and fullscreen edit options, 750 Words also lets you track your progress and earn points for achievements. Login with Google, Yahoo or Facebook Connect.

    22 750 Words alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    750 Words screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing
    2.  Fullscreen support

    750 Words VS Zen

     
  14. 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

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Mac OS Screen
    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.

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Fullscreen support
    2.  Distraction-free Writing

    WriteRoom VS Zen

     
12 of 35 Zen alternatives