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Cold Turkey Writer alternatives · Writing

Open-source alternatives to Cold Turkey Writer

Cold Turkey Writer is not described as open source on its own site. 26 of the 136 other writing tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Cold Turkey Writer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro). 25 of them are free or have a free plan.

26 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Cold Turkey Writer

  1. FocusWriter

    Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux

    • FocusWriter is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
    • Only Cold Turkey Writer lists a macOS app.
    • FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
    FocusWriter vs Cold Turkey WriterFocusWriter pricing and details

  2. ZenPen

    Minimal browser text editor that stays out of the way

    • ZenPen is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only ZenPen lists a web app.
    • Only Cold Turkey Writer lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • ZenPen is open source, according to its own site.
    ZenPen vs Cold Turkey WriterZenPen pricing and details

  3. Zettlr

    Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing

    • Zettlr is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Zettlr lists a Linux app.
    • Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Zettlr pricing and details

  4. bibisco

    Novel planning and writing software built around characters

    • bibisco starts at $3.49 per month for Everywhere sync; desktop Supporters Edition is $69 one-time. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only bibisco lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • bibisco is open source, according to its own site.
    • bibisco also covers long-form writing.
    bibisco pricing and details

  5. Beat

    Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS

    • Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Beat lists an iOS app.
    • Only Cold Turkey Writer lists a Windows app.
    • Beat is open source, according to its own site.
    Beat pricing and details

  6. Sigil

    Free open-source EPUB ebook editor for Windows, Mac and Linux

    • Sigil is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Sigil lists a Linux app.
    • Sigil is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Sigil pricing and details

  7. Texmaker

    Free LaTeX editor for Windows, macOS and Linux

    • Texmaker is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Texmaker lists a Linux app.
    • Texmaker is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Texmaker pricing and details

  8. TeXstudio

    Open-source LaTeX editor with an integrated PDF viewer

    • TeXstudio is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only TeXstudio lists a Linux app.
    • TeXstudio is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    TeXstudio pricing and details

  9. LyX

    Structure-based document processor built on LaTeX

    • LyX is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only LyX lists a Linux app.
    • LyX is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    LyX pricing and details

  10. Apache OpenOffice

    Free open-source office suite with the Writer word processor

    • Apache OpenOffice is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Apache OpenOffice lists a Linux app.
    • Apache OpenOffice is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Apache OpenOffice pricing and details

  11. Afterwriting

    Free tool that turns Fountain screenplays into PDFs

    • Afterwriting is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Afterwriting lists a web app.
    • Only Cold Turkey Writer lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Afterwriting is open source, according to its own site.
    Afterwriting pricing and details

  12. TeXShop

    Free Mac editor and previewer for TeX and LaTeX documents

    • TeXShop is free. Cold Turkey Writer starts at $14.99 one-time (Writer Pro).
    • Only Cold Turkey Writer lists a Windows app.
    • TeXShop is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    TeXShop pricing and details

14 more that are open source

All 26 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Cold Turkey Writer?

Yes. FocusWriter, ZenPen, Zettlr, bibisco, Beat, Sigil, Texmaker, TeXstudio and 18 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Cold Turkey Writer open source?

Cold Turkey Writer is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these writing tools are free?

FocusWriter, ZenPen, Zettlr, bibisco, Beat, Sigil, Texmaker, TeXstudio and 17 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Cold Turkey Writer: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.