Alternatives · Writing
1Writer alternatives
1Writer compared with 5 alternatives: iA Writer, Ulysses, Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian.
1Writer is a paid product, starting at $4.99 one-time on the App Store. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1WriterThis tool | From $4.99 one-time | No | iOS |
| iA Writer | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Ulysses | Free trial · from $39.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Bear | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| JotterPad | Free plan · from $29.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Obsidian | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
How each one differs from 1Writer
- Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
iA Writer
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode
- iA Writer starts at $19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac. 1Writer starts at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.
- Only iA Writer lists macOS and Windows apps.
- iA Writer also covers grammar & style.
- 1Writer also covers notes.
Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
- Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Ulysses
Markup-based writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- Ulysses starts at $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month. 1Writer starts at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.
- Only Ulysses lists a macOS app.
- 1Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Ulysses also covers long-form writing and grammar & style.
- 1Writer also covers notes.
Suits: Writers who work only on Apple devices and want their texts on all of them
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Bear
Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links
- Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. 1Writer starts at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.
- Bear has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
- Only Bear lists a macOS app.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- 1Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Free plan · from $29.99/yr
JotterPad
Markdown and Fountain editor for books, papers and screenplays
- JotterPad starts at $29.99 per year on the App Store; $3.33 per month billed annually on the web. 1Writer starts at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.
- JotterPad has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
- Only JotterPad lists a web app.
- Only JotterPad lists macOS and Android apps.
- JotterPad also covers templates, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Writers who draft in Markdown or Fountain across a phone, a tablet and a computer
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). 1Writer starts at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.
- Obsidian has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
- Only Obsidian lists macOS, Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
Limits worth knowing in 1Writer
- iPhone and iPad only: there is no Android, Windows or web version, and on the Mac it runs only as the iPad app on Apple silicon.
- There is no free version or trial; the app costs $4.99 up front on the US App Store.
- The App Store version history lists only bug-fix releases since April 2021; the most recent is version 3.3.8 from September 2025.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to 1Writer?
The alternatives to 1Writer in this directory are iA Writer, Ulysses, Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with 1Writer.
Is there a free alternative to 1Writer?
Yes. Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which 1Writer alternatives work on Windows?
The 1Writer listing does not include a Windows app. iA Writer and Obsidian list one.
Which 1Writer alternatives work on macOS?
The 1Writer listing does not include a macOS app. iA Writer, Ulysses, Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.