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iA Writer alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iA Writer: no page layout, complex tables or tracked changes, and separate purchase for each platform. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iA Writer, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ulysses currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 364.1
  1. Obsidian logo

    1. ObsidianTop pick

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    64.1

    score / 100

    Why switch from iA Writer

    Free Markdown editor with linked notes for writers who also want a knowledge base.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good iA Writer alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)

The best iA Writer alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Ulysses logo

Best iA Writer alternative for most people

Ulysses

Similar focus but with a built-in library and goals, on Apple devices.

Google Docs logo

Best iA Writer alternative for a free option

Google Docs

Free and collaborative when you need others to comment.

Obsidian logo

Best iA Writer alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Obsidian

Free Markdown editor with linked notes for writers who also want a knowledge base.

Scrivener logo

Best iA Writer alternative for Mac

Scrivener

More structure for book-length projects with research and outlining.

Obsidian logo

Best iA Writer alternative for Windows

Obsidian

Free Markdown editor with linked notes for writers who also want a knowledge base.

Obsidian logo

Best iA Writer alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Free Markdown editor with linked notes for writers who also want a knowledge base.

Google Docs logo

Best iA Writer alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Docs

Free and collaborative when you need others to comment.

Google Docs logo

Best iA Writer alternative for working in the browser

Google Docs

Free and collaborative when you need others to comment.

iA Writer alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iA Writer?

Ulysses ranks first right now. Similar focus but with a built-in library and goals, on Apple devices. Google Docs and Obsidian follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iA Writer?

Yes. Google Docs (free), Obsidian (free plan + paid) and Bear (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to iA Writer?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which iA Writer alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from iA Writer?

The complaints we hear most: no page layout, complex tables or tracked changes; separate purchase for each platform; no real-time collaboration.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces iA Writer, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.