Alternatives · Writing
FocusWriter alternatives
FocusWriter compared with 5 alternatives: Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer, ghostwriter, iA Writer and LibreOffice Writer.
FocusWriter is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FocusWriterThis tool | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Calmly Writer | Free plan · from $16.99 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| Cold Turkey Writer | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows |
| ghostwriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| iA Writer | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| LibreOffice Writer | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from FocusWriter
- Free plan · from $16.99 one-time
Calmly Writer
Distraction-free Markdown writing app sold as a one-time purchase
- Calmly Writer starts at $16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux. FocusWriter is free.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists macOS and Android apps.
- Calmly Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Writers who want a blank page and very few controls
- 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). FocusWriter is free.
- Only Cold Turkey Writer lists a macOS app.
- Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
- Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
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. FocusWriter is free.
- ghostwriter also covers Markdown.
- FocusWriter also covers documents.
Suits: Linux and Windows users who want a free Markdown editor
- 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. FocusWriter is free.
- FocusWriter has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only iA Writer lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
- iA Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
- Free
LibreOffice Writer
Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux
- LibreOffice Writer is free. FocusWriter is free.
- Only LibreOffice Writer lists a macOS app.
- LibreOffice Writer also covers templates and long-form writing.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor at no cost
Limits worth knowing in FocusWriter
- The download page for the current version lists Linux, Windows 10 x64 and source code only; it offers no macOS build.
- The version archive shows macOS builds only up to a release from April 2020.
- No mobile or web version is listed.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to FocusWriter?
The alternatives to FocusWriter in this directory are Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer, ghostwriter, iA Writer and LibreOffice Writer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with FocusWriter.
Is there a free alternative to FocusWriter?
Yes. ghostwriter and LibreOffice Writer are free to use. Calmly Writer and Cold Turkey Writer have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which FocusWriter alternatives work on macOS?
The FocusWriter listing does not include a macOS app. Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer, iA Writer and LibreOffice Writer list one.
Which FocusWriter alternatives work on Android?
The FocusWriter listing does not include an Android app. Calmly Writer lists one.
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.