Alternatives · Writing
Calmly Writer alternatives
Calmly Writer compared with 5 alternatives: iA Writer, Typora, FocusWriter, Cold Turkey Writer and ghostwriter.
Calmly Writer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calmly WriterThis tool | Free plan · from $16.99 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| iA Writer | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Typora | Free trial · from $14.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| FocusWriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Cold Turkey Writer | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows |
| ghostwriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from Calmly Writer
- 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. Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Calmly Writer has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only iA Writer lists an iOS app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists Linux and Android apps.
Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
- Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
Typora
Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type
- Typora starts at $14.99 one-time, before tax. Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Calmly Writer has a free plan. Typora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists an Android app.
Suits: People who write Markdown and want to see formatted text as they type
- Free
FocusWriter
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux
- FocusWriter is free. Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists macOS and Android apps.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- Calmly Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a full-screen page with nothing else on it
- Free plan · from $14.99 one-time
Cold Turkey Writer
Text editor that locks your computer until a writing goal is met
- Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro). Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists Linux and Android apps.
- Cold Turkey Writer also covers focus music.
- Calmly Writer also covers Markdown.
Suits: Writers who want everything else on the computer shut out until a quota is done
- Free
ghostwriter
Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing
- ghostwriter is free. Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists macOS and Android apps.
- ghostwriter is open source, according to its own site.
- Calmly Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Linux and Windows users who want a free Markdown editor
Limits worth knowing in Calmly Writer
- The desktop license does not cover Android; the Android app is a separate purchase on Google Play with no trial.
- No iPhone or iPad app is listed.
- Files are local with no cloud service of its own; the site suggests saving into a Dropbox or Google Drive folder to sync.
- The free online version is a limited preview without backups, comments, writing targets or PDF export.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Calmly Writer?
The alternatives to Calmly Writer in this directory are iA Writer, Typora, FocusWriter, Cold Turkey Writer and ghostwriter. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Calmly Writer.
Is there a free alternative to Calmly Writer?
Yes. FocusWriter and ghostwriter are free to use. Cold Turkey Writer has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Calmly Writer alternatives work on iOS?
The Calmly Writer listing does not include an iOS app. iA Writer lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Calmly Writer?
FocusWriter and ghostwriter are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.