Skip to content
ToolGPA

The 1Writer Insider’s Guide

Everything we know about 1Writer in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.

Download the PDF
Pass it onEmailLinkedInXWhatsApp
ToolGPAOctober 2026

1Writer

The Insider’s Guide

Markdown editor for iPhone and iPad with scriptable actions

Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from 1Writer’s own pages.

Made by Ngoc Luu · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com

2.0GPA

Contents

  1. 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
  2. 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
  3. 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
  4. 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
  5. 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
  6. 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
  7. 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

ToolGPA put this guide together from 1Writer’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on 1Writer’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.

Part 01 · Overview

Welcome

What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first

2.0

GPA, above 5 of the 69 other writing tools we grade

1Writer is a Markdown and plain-text editor for iPhone and iPad by the developer Ngoc Luu. It syncs files with iCloud Drive, Dropbox and WebDAV, shows formatting inline as you type, and can be extended with custom actions written in JavaScript or built on its URL scheme. It is sold as a single paid download on the App Store, with optional tips inside the app.

To get you started, here are 8 things to know about 1Writer, taken from its own pages and our grades.

The extra keyboard row holds navigation, formatting and special characters, and you can load it with the actions you use most.
From our grade for ease of use
  1. 1

    Best for Markdown writing on an iPhone or iPad

    There's no free version or trial, so you pay before you see it.

  2. 2

    What it costs

    Paid plans start at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.

  3. 3

    It runs on iOS

    iOS.

  4. 4

    Markdown editing with inline preview

    Plain-text and Markdown files show their formatting inline while you write, with a full rich-text preview when you are done. MultiMarkdown is supported.

  5. 5

    Sync with iCloud Drive, Dropbox and WebDAV

    Pick the Dropbox or WebDAV folders to sync, or sync them all. Changes made offline sync at the next connection, and a document started on a Mac in iCloud Drive can be continued in 1Writer.

  6. 6

    Custom actions in JavaScript

    Built-in actions can be extended with your own, written in JavaScript or built on the onewriter:// URL scheme, which supports the x-callback-url protocol.

  7. 7

    A 2.0 GPA, above 5 of 69

    That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.

  8. 8

    Your call

    A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type.

1Writer at a glance

Pricing
Paid, from $4.99 one-time on the App Store
Free plan
No
Free trial
None stated
Runs on
iOS
Made by
Ngoc Luu
Category
Writing Tools
Our grade
2.0 GPA, fair
Store rating
4.6 on the App Store, 392 ratings

The report card

Best for Markdown writing on an iPhone or iPad

1Writer is a Markdown editor for iPhone and iPad that costs $4.99 once, syncs through iCloud Drive, Dropbox or WebDAV, and takes your own JavaScript actions. There's no free version or trial, so you pay before you see it. It's iPhone and iPad only, runs on a Mac only as the iPad app, and has had only bug-fix releases since April 2021.

ToolGPA report card1WriterGraded Oct 10, 2026
SubjectGradeComment
Value for moneyA$4.99 once on the App Store and that's it, no subscription. The in-app purchases are optional tips, and the release notes say no update has ever been charged for. The middle subscription in this category is $8.33 a month, so this is less than one month of a typical rival, forever.
Free plan and trialFNothing is free here. No free version, no trial, not even a cut-down mode, so you pay the $4.99 before you see a single screen. It's a small bet, but it's still a bet.
FeaturesCFormatting shows inline as you type, files sync with iCloud Drive, Dropbox or WebDAV, and you can script your own actions in JavaScript. A Markdown editor done fully, which is a smaller job than most of this lot: no manuscript tools, and the App Store history lists only bug fixes since April 2021.
Ease of useB4.63 on the App Store from 392 ratings, which is a B and not an A, since an A wants 4.7 from at least 1,000. The extra keyboard row holds navigation, formatting and special characters, and you can load it with the actions you use most.
Platforms and integrationsDOne operating system: iPhone and iPad, with no Android, Windows or web version, and on a Mac it only runs as the iPad app on Apple silicon. It connects to Dropbox, iCloud Drive, WebDAV, TextExpander, Evernote and Siri Shortcuts.
Grade point averageFair, out of 4.02.0

An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.

Who 1Writer is for

  • Fits if you write Markdown on an iPad and keep your files in Dropbox or iCloud Drive
  • Works for automating text chores with your own JavaScript actions

Who it is not for

  • Skip it if you write on Android, Windows or the web, as it's iPhone and iPad only
  • Not for you if you want to try before you buy, since there's no free version or trial
  • Not for you if you want new features arriving, because it's had only bug fixes since April 2021
  • Watch out: on a Mac it runs only as the iPad app, and only on Apple silicon
  • Too light for long manuscripts, as it has no manuscript tools

Good to know

Good for

  • Writing Markdown on an iPhone or iPad with files kept in Dropbox, iCloud Drive or WebDAV
  • People who automate text work with JavaScript actions or URL schemes
  • Anyone who wants an editor bought once, with no subscription

Worth knowing

  • iPhone and iPad only: there is no Android, Windows or web version, and on the Mac it runs only as the iPad app on Apple silicon.
  • There is no free version or trial; the app costs $4.99 up front on the US App Store.
  • The App Store version history lists only bug-fix releases since April 2021; the most recent is version 3.3.8 from September 2025.

Part 02 · Pricing

What it costs

Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved

$4.99 one-time

To start

1Writer is a paid product, starting at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.

The in-app purchases are optional tips, and the release notes say no update has ever been charged for.
From our grade for value for money

  • 1Writer

    $4.99

    one-time purchase on the App Store

    The full app for iPhone and iPad. The in-app purchases are optional tips from $0.99 to $19.99, and the release notes say no update has been charged for.

Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026.

What the app costs elsewhere

Each country’s App Store price for the app, against $4.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.

CountryPrice thereIn dollarsAgainst the US
Philippines₱ 299.00$4.76about the same
Canada$6.99$4.91about the same
Turkey₺249,99$5.08about the same
India₹ 499$5.16about the same
BrazilR$ 29,90$5.9720% more
South AfricaR99.99$6.0521% more
United Kingdom£4.99$6.6032% more
Germany5,99 €$6.7135% more

Part 03 · Features

What it does

Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it

1

Place it runs: iOS

Markdown editor for iPhone and iPad with scriptable actions. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, one-time purchase, notes, Markdown.

Formatting shows inline as you type, files sync with iCloud Drive, Dropbox or WebDAV, and you can script your own actions in JavaScript.
From our grade for features
Markdown editing with inline preview
Plain-text and Markdown files show their formatting inline while you write, with a full rich-text preview when you are done. MultiMarkdown is supported.
Sync with iCloud Drive, Dropbox and WebDAV
Pick the Dropbox or WebDAV folders to sync, or sync them all. Changes made offline sync at the next connection, and a document started on a Mac in iCloud Drive can be continued in 1Writer.
Custom actions in JavaScript
Built-in actions can be extended with your own, written in JavaScript or built on the onewriter:// URL scheme, which supports the x-callback-url protocol.
Sharing and export
Generate a link to a document as plain text or PDF, email it as plain text, formatted text or PDF, or copy its HTML to the clipboard.
In-app web browser
Look things up without switching apps, and copy a selection from a web page to the clipboard as Markdown in one action.
Customizable keyboard row
An extra row above the keyboard holds navigation, formatting and special characters, and can be assigned the actions you use most.

Where it runs

  • iOS

What it works with

  • Dropbox
  • iCloud Drive
  • WebDAV
  • TextExpander
  • Evernote
  • 1Password
  • Siri Shortcuts

1Writer is made by Ngoc Luu.

Part 04 · Standing

Where it stands

Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own

5/69

Other writing tools it is graded above

1Writer's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 5 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 5.

It stands best on value for money (A, above 44 of 69) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).

Each grade against the category

Every bar is all 70 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. 1Writer’s own letter is outlined.

  • AValue for moneyAbove 44 of 69
  • FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 69
  • CFeaturesAbove 0 of 69
  • BEase of useAbove 32 of 69
  • DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 69

Keep it, or make your own?

Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.

Your call

A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type.

You could make the core of 1Writer for yourself: Markdown and notes. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $4.99, paid once, it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.

What you could make

  • Markdown and notes: an app builder makes these well.

What you could not

  • A real app for iOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
  • It plugs into other products, Dropbox, iCloud Drive and WebDAV among them.

What this rests on. 1Writer’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.

Part 05 · Alternatives

The alternatives

The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side

iA Writer, Ulysses, Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian

The 5 tools 1Writer is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.

  • 2.8GPA

    iA Writer

    Free trial · from $19.99 one-time

    Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode.

    • Only iA Writer lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • 1Writer also covers notes.
    • iA Writer also covers grammar & style.
    1Writer and iA Writer compared in full
  • 2.6GPA

    Ulysses

    Free trial · from $39.99/yr

    Markup-based writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone.

    • Only Ulysses lists a macOS app.
    • 1Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • 1Writer also covers notes.
    1Writer and Ulysses compared in full
  • 2.6GPA

    Bear

    Free plan · from $2.99/mo

    Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links.

    • Bear has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
    • Only Bear lists a macOS app.
    • Only Bear lists a browser extension.
    1Writer and Bear compared in full
  • 3.2GPA

    JotterPad

    Free plan · from $29.99/yr

    Markdown and Fountain editor for books, papers and screenplays.

    • JotterPad has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
    • Only JotterPad lists a web app.
    • Only JotterPad lists macOS and Android apps.
    1Writer and JotterPad compared in full
  • 3.6GPA

    Obsidian

    Free plan · from $4/mo

    Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device.

    • Obsidian has a free plan. 1Writer does not.
    • Only Obsidian lists macOS, Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    1Writer and Obsidian compared in full

Part 06 · Questions

Quick answers

The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two

13

Questions, each answered in a line or two

The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.

Is 1Writer free?

No. 1Writer is a paid product, starting at $4.99 one-time on the App Store.

How much does 1Writer cost?

1Writer lists one plan. 1Writer: $4.99 one-time purchase on the App Store.

What platforms does 1Writer work on?

1Writer is available on iOS.

How is 1Writer rated?

1Writer's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 392 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 9, 2026.

Does 1Writer have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. 1Writer is listed for iOS.

Does 1Writer have a Windows app?

No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. 1Writer is listed for iOS.

Is 1Writer open source?

1Writer is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.

Does 1Writer work offline?

Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.

What does 1Writer integrate with?

1Writer's listing names Dropbox, iCloud Drive, WebDAV, TextExpander, Evernote, 1Password and Siri Shortcuts.

Who makes 1Writer?

1Writer is made by Ngoc Luu.

What are the alternatives to 1Writer?

The closest alternatives to 1Writer in our directory are iA Writer, Ulysses, Bear, JotterPad and Obsidian.

How does 1Writer compare with other writing tools?

1Writer's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 5 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 5.

Could I make my own version of 1Writer?

A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type. You could make the core of 1Writer for yourself: Markdown and notes.

Where this guide comes from

The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from 1Writer’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from 1Writer's own site and App Store listing on 9 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-05.

Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Ngoc Luu. Prices change, so check 1writerapp.com before you buy.

Part 07 · About

About ToolGPA

Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

3,189

Tools graded, in 94 categories

ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.

Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.

  • 3,189

    tools graded

  • 94

    categories

  • 426

    price changes on record

  • 579

    apps priced in 12 countries

What else is on toolgpa.com

Scan for the live page

Prices and grades as they are today

Quoting this guide?

Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:

ToolGPA, "1Writer: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/1writer

Know someone choosing between writing tools?

Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/1writer/guide

ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa

See our other guides

The best-graded writing tools after 1Writer, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.

ToolGPA

Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.

Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›

Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what 1Writer’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. 1Writer is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Ngoc Luu. Prices and plans change: check 1writerapp.com before you buy.