The FocusWriter Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about FocusWriter 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.
FocusWriter
The Insider’s Guide
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from FocusWriter’s own pages.
Made by Gott Code (Graeme Gott) · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from FocusWriter’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on FocusWriter’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
3.0
GPA, above 57 of the 69 other writing tools we grade
FocusWriter is a free, open-source word processor that fills the screen with the page being written. Its menus and toolbars stay hidden until the mouse moves to an edge of the screen. Themes set the font, colors and background image, and the program tracks live statistics and daily goals, checks spelling, and reopens the last documents at the point where the writer stopped.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about FocusWriter, taken from its own pages and our grades.
That's the whole job: no sync, no cloud, no outliner, no manuscript tools.
- 1
Best for a free full-screen page on Windows or Linux
FocusWriter is a free, open-source word processor that fills the screen with the page and hides the menus until your mouse reaches the edge.
- 2
It is free
FocusWriter has no paid plan at all. The whole program is free and released under the GPL version 3. The developer accepts optional tips of $5, $10, $20 or another amount.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Linux.
- 4
Hide-away interface
Menus, toolbars and other controls stay out of sight until the mouse moves to the edges of the screen, leaving only the text visible while writing.
- 5
Themes
A theme controls the font, the colors and a background image, and writers can create their own to set the mood of the writing space.
- 6
Statistics and daily goals
Statistics update as you type, and a daily goal tracks progress toward a target for each day's writing.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 57 of 69
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
FocusWriter is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
FocusWriter at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Gott Code (Graeme Gott)
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a free full-screen page on Windows or Linux
FocusWriter is a free, open-source word processor that fills the screen with the page and hides the menus until your mouse reaches the edge. That's the whole job: no sync, no cloud, no outliner, no manuscript tools. And it runs only on Windows 10 and Linux, with no current Mac build and nothing for phones or the web.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the GPL version 3, a program anyone can download and run, with nothing to buy and no paid tier behind it. The middle of this category charges $8.33 a month. The developer takes optional tips of $5, $10, $20 or whatever you fancy. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole program is free, including the portable Windows build, and there's no cap anywhere for a normal writer to reach. Nothing is held back for a paid version, because there isn't one. |
| Features | C | A hide-away interface, themes with your own font, colours and background image, live statistics, daily goals, spell-checking and sessions that reopen where you stopped. It does that one job fully, and it is a small job: no sync, no cloud, no outliner, no manuscript tools. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there is nothing at all to set up: install it, or run the portable build off a USB stick, and it reloads your work in progress and puts the cursor back where you left it. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | A program for computers alone, and not even all of them: Windows 10 x64 and Linux, with no macOS build in the current version and Mac builds in the archive stopping at April 2020. No mobile or web version, and no integrations listed. |
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 FocusWriter is for
- Fits if you want a full-screen page with nothing else on it and pay nothing
- Works for Windows and Linux writers who set themselves a daily word goal
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're on a Mac, as the current version has no macOS build and the archived ones stop at April 2020
- Not for you if you write on a phone or in a browser, since no mobile or web version is listed
- Too light for long projects that need sync, cloud storage, an outliner or manuscript tools
- Watch out: the Windows build is for Windows 10 x64, and no integrations are listed
Good to know
Good for
- Writers who want a full-screen page with nothing else on it
- People who set themselves a daily writing target
- Windows and Linux users who want a free, open-source editor
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
FocusWriter is free to use.
The whole program is free, including the portable Windows build, and there's no cap anywhere for a normal writer to reach.
Free
$0
The full word processor for Windows 10 x64 and Linux, including a portable Windows build, with optional tips to the developer.
The free plan
The whole program is free and released under the GPL version 3. The developer accepts optional tips of $5, $10, $20 or another amount.
Read from gottcode.org on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, documents.
It does that one job fully, and it is a small job: no sync, no cloud, no outliner, no manuscript tools.
- Hide-away interface
- Menus, toolbars and other controls stay out of sight until the mouse moves to the edges of the screen, leaving only the text visible while writing.
- Themes
- A theme controls the font, the colors and a background image, and writers can create their own to set the mood of the writing space.
- Statistics and daily goals
- Statistics update as you type, and a daily goal tracks progress toward a target for each day's writing.
- Sessions that resume
- Several documents can be open at once, and on launch the program reloads the work in progress and returns to the last position in it.
- Spell-checking
- Spelling is checked with the bundled hunspell library, and the project page links to LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice dictionaries.
- Portable mode
- A portable Windows build is offered, and creating a Data folder beside the program keeps settings and themes with it on a USB drive.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
FocusWriter is made by Gott Code (Graeme Gott).
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
57/69
Other writing tools it is graded above
FocusWriter's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 57 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 58 of 69) and worst on features (C, above 0).
FocusWriter has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 70 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. FocusWriter’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 44 of 69
- AFree plan and trialAbove 58 of 69
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 69
- BEase of useAbove 32 of 69
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 3 of 69
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 53 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. FocusWriter is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
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.
Keep it
FocusWriter is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 57 of the 69 other writing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Documents: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. FocusWriter’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
Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer, ghostwriter, iA Writer and LibreOffice Writer
The 5 tools FocusWriter is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Calmly Writer
Free plan · from $16.99 one-time
Distraction-free Markdown writing app sold as a one-time purchase.
- Only Calmly Writer lists a web app.
- Only Calmly Writer lists macOS and Android apps.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
Cold Turkey Writer
Free plan · from $14.99 one-time
Text editor that locks your computer until a writing goal is met.
- Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
- Only Cold Turkey Writer lists a macOS app.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
ghostwriter
Free
Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing.
- FocusWriter also covers documents.
- ghostwriter also covers Markdown.
- 2.8GPA
iA Writer
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode.
- FocusWriter has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
- Only iA Writer lists macOS and iOS apps.
- 3.2GPA
LibreOffice Writer
Free
Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Only LibreOffice Writer lists a macOS app.
- LibreOffice Writer also covers templates and long-form writing.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
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 FocusWriter free?
Yes. FocusWriter is free to use.
How much does FocusWriter cost?
FocusWriter lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does FocusWriter work on?
FocusWriter is available on Windows and Linux.
Does FocusWriter have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. FocusWriter is listed for Windows and Linux.
Does FocusWriter have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. FocusWriter is listed for Windows and Linux.
Is FocusWriter open source?
Yes. FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes FocusWriter?
FocusWriter is made by Gott Code (Graeme Gott).
What are the alternatives to FocusWriter?
The closest alternatives to FocusWriter in our directory are Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer, ghostwriter, iA Writer and LibreOffice Writer.
How does FocusWriter compare with other writing tools?
FocusWriter's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 57 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 6.
Is FocusWriter good value for money?
ToolGPA grades FocusWriter A for value for money. FocusWriter has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of FocusWriter?
FocusWriter is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 57 of the 69 other writing tools we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from FocusWriter’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 FocusWriter's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-10.
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 Gott Code (Graeme Gott). Prices change, so check gottcode.org 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
- FocusWriter, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/focuswriter
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
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, "FocusWriter: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/focuswriter
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/focuswriter/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded writing tools after FocusWriter, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Writing Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 70 writing tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Word Insider's GuideWord processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Beat Insider's GuideFree, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS3.2 GPA
- JotterPad Insider's GuideMarkdown and Fountain editor for books, papers and screenplays3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what FocusWriter’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. FocusWriter is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Gott Code (Graeme Gott). Prices and plans change: check gottcode.org before you buy.