Alternatives · Writing
ZenPen alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded ZenPen alternative is FocusWriter (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
ZenPen compared with 5 alternatives: Calmly Writer, FocusWriter, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer.
ZenPen is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenPenThis tool | Free | Free | Web |
| Calmly Writer | Free plan · from $16.99 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| FocusWriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| WriteMonkey | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| OmmWriter | From $9.99 one-time | No | macOS, Windows |
| Cold Turkey Writer | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows |
Price against what you get
ZenPen has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 2 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
FocusWriter scores 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 ZenPen
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.
- Calmly Writer also lists macOS, Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Calmly Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Calmly Writer does not cover documents, which ZenPen does.
Suits: Writers who want a blank page and very few controls
FocusWriter
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux
- FocusWriter is free.
- FocusWriter also lists Windows and Linux apps.
- FocusWriter lists no web app, which ZenPen has.
- FocusWriter does not cover Markdown, which ZenPen does.
Suits: Writers who want a full-screen page with nothing else on it
WriteMonkey
Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use
- WriteMonkey is free.
- WriteMonkey also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- WriteMonkey lists no web app, which ZenPen has.
- WriteMonkey does not cover documents, which ZenPen does.
Suits: Writers who want a bare screen and a word count
OmmWriter
Full-screen writing app with backgrounds, music and typing sounds
- OmmWriter starts at $9.99 one-time (Mac App Store).
- OmmWriter has no free plan, unlike ZenPen.
- OmmWriter also lists macOS and Windows apps.
- OmmWriter lists no web app, which ZenPen has.
- OmmWriter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Writers who want a calm full-screen space with sound
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).
- Cold Turkey Writer also lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Cold Turkey Writer lists no web app, which ZenPen has.
- Cold Turkey Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Cold Turkey Writer also covers focus music.
Suits: Writers who want everything else on the computer shut out until a quota is done
Limits worth knowing in ZenPen
- It is a single-page web app with no accounts, folders or sync between devices.
- Text lives in this browser's local storage, so clearing browser data can remove it.
- Saving means copying the text to the clipboard; there is no file download or export button described.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to ZenPen?
The alternatives to ZenPen in this directory are Calmly Writer, FocusWriter, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ZenPen.
Is there a free alternative to ZenPen?
Yes. FocusWriter and WriteMonkey are free to use. Calmly Writer and Cold Turkey Writer have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which ZenPen alternatives work on Windows?
The ZenPen listing does not include a Windows app. Calmly Writer, FocusWriter, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer list one.
Which ZenPen alternatives work on macOS?
The ZenPen listing does not include a macOS app. Calmly Writer, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 9, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.