Alternatives · Writing
WriteMonkey alternatives
As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded WriteMonkey alternative is FocusWriter (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
WriteMonkey compared with 5 alternatives: FocusWriter, Zettlr, MarkText, iA Writer and Typora.
WriteMonkey is free to use. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| WriteMonkeyThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| FocusWriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Zettlr | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| MarkText | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| 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 |
Price against what you get
WriteMonkey has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
FocusWriter and MarkText score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from WriteMonkey
FocusWriter
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux
- FocusWriter is free.
- FocusWriter lists no macOS app, which WriteMonkey has.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- FocusWriter also covers documents.
- FocusWriter does not cover Markdown, which WriteMonkey does.
Suits: Writers who want a full-screen page with nothing else on it
Zettlr
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing
- Zettlr is free.
- Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Researchers and students writing papers or theses in Markdown
MarkText
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering
- MarkText is free.
- MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Writers who want Markdown rendered as they type, without a split preview
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.
- iA Writer has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike WriteMonkey.
- iA Writer also lists an iOS app.
- iA Writer lists no Linux app, which WriteMonkey has.
- iA Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
Typora
Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type
- Typora starts at $14.99 one-time, before tax.
- Typora has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike WriteMonkey.
- Typora can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who write Markdown and want to see formatted text as they type
Limits worth knowing in WriteMonkey
- Version 3 is a zip download that you unzip and run, with no installer, and upgrades are done by hand.
- The site's latest version 3 release is dated January 2023, so check how recently it has been updated.
- Plain text only, with no rich formatting or page layout.
- Old version 2 donor keys are not valid for version 3.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to WriteMonkey?
The alternatives to WriteMonkey in this directory are FocusWriter, Zettlr, MarkText, iA Writer and Typora. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with WriteMonkey.
Is there a free alternative to WriteMonkey?
Yes. FocusWriter, Zettlr and MarkText are free to use.
Which WriteMonkey alternatives work on iOS?
The WriteMonkey listing does not include an iOS app. iA Writer lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to WriteMonkey?
FocusWriter, Zettlr and MarkText 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 Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.