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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. Google Docs currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ulysses logoUlyssesPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 466.5
2Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 364.1
3Scrivener logoScrivenerPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS3 of 362.6
4Bear logoBearFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS2 of 361.5
  1. Ulysses logo

    1. UlyssesTop pick

    Best for: Apple users who write a lot and publish to blogs or ebooks

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from iA Writer

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

    Pros

    • Single library with goals, keywords and grouping
    • Direct publishing to WordPress, Ghost, Medium and Micro.blog
    • Smooth iCloud sync across Mac, iPad and iPhone

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Subscription pricing
    • Library storage is less portable than plain files
    Visit Ulysses Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Ulysses a good iA Writer alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $39.99/year or $5.99/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, iPad, iPhone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes, fully functional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Publishing
    WordPress, Ghost, Medium, Micro.blog
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Obsidian logo

    2. Obsidian

    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)
  3. Scrivener logo

    3. Scrivener

    Best for: Novelists, screenwriters and academics working on book-length projects

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iA Writer

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

    Pros

    • Binder, corkboard and outliner make restructuring long drafts easy
    • Research files live inside the project
    • One-time purchase rather than a subscription

    Cons

    • Compile and settings have a steep learning curve
    • No real-time collaboration
    • Mobile sync relies on Dropbox
    Visit Scrivener Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Scrivener a good iA Writer alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free trial
    30 days of use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Export formats
    Word, PDF, Final Draft, plain text
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Import formats
    Word, OpenOffice, Final Draft, PDF and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026literatureandlatte.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Bear logo

    4. Bear

    Best for: Apple users who want a fast, beautiful Markdown writing app

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    61.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from iA Writer

    Markdown notes and writing on Apple devices with tags and sync.

    Pros

    • Polished, distraction-free editor
    • Nested hashtags for organizing
    • Many export formats

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Sync requires Bear Pro
    Visit Bear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    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 Bear a good iA Writer alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, iPadOS
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Bear Pro subscription
    Not checked yetbear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Editor
    Markdown
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best iA Writer alternative for…

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

Google Docs logo

Best iA Writer alternative for most people

Google Docs

Free and collaborative when you need others to comment.

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.

Ulysses logo

Best iA Writer alternative for Mac

Ulysses

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

Scrivener logo

Best iA Writer alternative for Windows

Scrivener

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

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?

Google Docs ranks first right now. Free and collaborative when you need others to comment. Ulysses 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.