iA Writer

Minimal Markdown writing app with a focus mode and one-time pricing.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About iA Writer

iA Writer is a plain-text writing app built around a calm, minimal interface. You write in Markdown, and Focus Mode dims everything except the current sentence or paragraph. Syntax highlighting can flag adjectives, filler words or repetitions to tighten your style, and a newer authorship feature marks which text was pasted or AI-generated versus typed by you. Files are ordinary text files stored wherever you like, such as iCloud, Dropbox or a local folder, so nothing is locked in. You can preview with templates and export to Word, PDF, HTML or publish to WordPress, Ghost, Medium and Micro.blog. It is sold as a one-time purchase per platform, for Mac, Windows and iPhone/iPad, with a 7-day free trial on desktop. It is not a layout tool: there are no complex tables, page design or tracked changes, and collaboration means sharing files.

Best for: Writers who want a distraction-free Markdown editor and plain-text files.

What works

Focus Mode and style checks keep writing tight
Plain-text Markdown files with no lock-in
One-time purchase per platform

Why people leave

No page layout, complex tables or tracked changes
Separate purchase for each platform
No real-time collaboration

Top iA Writer alternatives

See all 5

1
Google Docs
Free and collaborative when you need others to comment.
72.2
2
Ulysses
Similar focus but with a built-in library and goals, on Apple devices.
66.5
3
Obsidian
Free Markdown editor with linked notes for writers who also want a knowledge base.
64.1
4
Scrivener
More structure for book-length projects with research and outlining.
62.6
5
Bear
Markdown notes and writing on Apple devices with tags and sync.
46.5

Why people left iA Writer

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iA Writer: common questions

Is iA Writer free?

No, iA Writer is a paid product. Mac price: $49.99 one-time (checked on iA Writer's own site).

Is iA Writer open source?

No, iA Writer is not open source.

What platforms does iA Writer run on?

iA Writer is available for macOS, Windows and iOS.

What are the best alternatives to iA Writer?

The highest-ranked iA Writer alternatives right now are Google Docs, Ulysses and Obsidian. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 iA Writer alternatives

iA Writer facts

4 of 4 verified

Free trial: 7 days, no card; Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab); “7-Day Free Trial No credit card required”
Mac price: $49.99 one-time; Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab); “One-Time Payment Mac $ 49 . 99 Windows $ 29 .”
Windows price: $29.99 one-time; Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab); “99 Windows $ 29 . 99 iPhone & iPad App Store only $ 49 .”
System requirements: macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+; Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab); “Mac macOS 10.15 or later Windows Windows 10 or later One-Time Payment Mac $ 49 .”