ZenPen AlternativesText Editors and other similar apps like ZenPen

ZenPen is described as 'A minimalist writing zone, where you can block out all distractions and get to what's important' and is a Text Editor in the news & books category. There are more than 25 alternatives to ZenPen, not only websites but also apps for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPhone and Linux apps. The best ZenPen alternative is FocusWriter, which is both free and Open Source. Other great sites and apps similar to ZenPen are Rentry.co, Stickies, iA Writer and GitJournal.

ZenPen
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  • ...

A minimalist writing zone, where you can block out all distractions and get to what's important.

More about ZenPen
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ZenPen alternatives page was last updated Nov 16, 2021
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  1. 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.

    96 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 ZenPen

     
    Comments about FocusWriter as an Alternative to ZenPen
    Guest
    Positive Jan 12, 2020
    0

    Is open source, offline for avoid distractions

    FocusWriter icon

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

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

    • FocusWriter is Free and Open SourceZenPen is also Free and Open Source
    • FocusWriter is LightweightZenPen is not according to our users
  2. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

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

    177 Rentry.co alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    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 ZenPen

     

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

    • Rentry.co is Free and Open SourceZenPen is also Free and Open Source
    • Rentry.co is LightweightZenPen is not according to our users
  4. Stickies icon

    Stickies

     88 likes
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    Stickies is a PC utility written to replace Post-It-style notes left stuck to your monitor. The design goal behind Stickies is that the program is small and simple. Stickies will not mess with your system files, or write to the Registry.

    92 Stickies alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Stickies screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Portable
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  On top
    5.  Fixed width font
    6.  Password protection
    7.  GNU/linux-libre
    8.  Attach a stickie to specific window

    Stickies VS ZenPen

     
    Comments about Stickies as an Alternative to ZenPen
    Guest
    Negative Jan 12, 2020
    0

    Writing, isn't a synonym of taking notes

    Stickies icon
    • Stickies is Free and ProprietaryZenPen is Free and Open Source
    • Stickies is LightweightZenPen is not according to our users
  5. 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.

    113 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 ZenPen

     

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

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

    • iA Writer is Paid and ProprietaryZenPen is Free and Open Source
    • iA Writer is Privacy focused and LightweightZenPen is not according to our users
  6. GitJournal icon

    GitJournal

     27 likes
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    Manage your Notes from any Git Repo.

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    GitJournal screenshot 1
    GitJournal screenshot 2
    GitJournal screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2. Git icon  Git integration
    3. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    4. Android icon  Android Sync
    5.  Works Offline
    6. GitLab icon  Gitlab integration
    7. Git icon  Git Support
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Real time collaboration
    11.  Command line interface
    12.  No Tracking

    GitJournal VS ZenPen

     
  7. WriteMonkey icon

    WriteMonkey

     126 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.

    99 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 ZenPen

     
  9. 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 ZenPen

     

    • scrutch is the most popular SaaS alternative to ZenPen.

    • scrutch is Free and ProprietaryZenPen is Free and Open Source
    • scrutch is Lightweight and Privacy focusedZenPen is not according to our users
  10. Notebook PEA icon

    Notebook PEA

     22 likes
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    Protects your private notes with a password. Notebook PEA is a self-decrypting archive, that will never store unencrypted text on your disk.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Notebook PEA

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Hierarchical Structure
    3.  Authenticated encryption
    4.  Encrypted Notes

    Notebook PEA VS ZenPen

     
  11. 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.

    50 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 ZenPen

     
  12. Steno Notes icon

    Steno Notes

     5 likes
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    Steno is a lightweight note taking and writing app centered around minimalism to avoid all the unnecessary and distracting stuff.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    Steno Notes screenshot 1
    Steno Notes screenshot 2
    Steno Notes screenshot 3

    Steno Notes Features

    1.  Ad-free

    Steno Notes VS ZenPen

     
  13. 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 ZenPen

     
  14. 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 ZenPen

     
12 of 38 ZenPen alternatives