iA Writer
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode
What is iA Writer?
iA Writer is a plain-text Markdown writing app with a deliberately bare interface: no toolbars or popups, only the text. Focus Mode dims everything but the current sentence or paragraph, Style Check flags clichés and filler words, and Authorship marks which text was typed and which was pasted in from AI or another author. It is sold as a one-time payment per platform for Mac, Windows, and iPhone and iPad.
iA Writer is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac. See every plan
Good for
- Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars
- People who want to see which text they typed and which they pasted from AI
- Buyers who prefer a one-time payment to a subscription
Worth knowing
- Each platform is a separate purchase: Mac, Windows, and iPhone and iPad are bought individually.
- The Android app was removed from sale in September 2024, and iA says it is not planning a web-based version.
- A one-time payment covers the current version; minor updates are free, but major updates may cost extra.
- The 7-day free trial is offered for Mac and Windows only.
Key features
- Focus Mode
- Highlights the sentence or paragraph being written and fades the rest of the document, in an interface with no buttons or title bar.
- Authorship
- Tracks what was typed and what was pasted. Your own words stay black and white, AI text appears in color and other authors in subtle tones.
- Style Check
- Flags clichés, fillers and clutter and leaves the decision to cut them with the writer. The check runs on the device.
- Plain text with Markdown
- Documents are plain text formatted with Markdown. A Preview shows the styled result using a template, and links, pictures and tables can be embedded.
- Export
- Copies a document as HTML or exports it to PDF or Microsoft Word. The iPhone and iPad listing also names WordPress and Medium as export targets.
iA Writer pricing
- Starts at
- $19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial for Mac and Windows, no credit card required. No trial is listed for iPhone and iPad.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone & iPad | $19.99one-time payment, App Store only | The iPhone and iPad app, sold only through the App Store. Requires iOS 15 or later. |
| Windows | $29.99one-time payment | Bought directly from iA and usable on more than one Windows PC. Requires Windows 10 or later. |
| Mac | $49.99one-time payment | Bought directly from iA or on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 10.15 or later. |
Read from ia.net on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with iA Writer before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Education20% educational discount on direct purchases
iA offers a 20% educational discount on the Mac and Windows versions bought directly from it. App Store copies get education pricing on 20 or more licenses through Apple School Manager.
Stated on ia.net
How people rate the iA Writer app
4.6
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars81%
- 4 stars7%
- 3 stars3%
- 2 stars2%
- 1 star6%
1,538 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 5, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Works with
- WordPress
- Medium
iA Writer alternatives
- iA Writer vs Ulysses
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
- iA Writer vs Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
- iA Writer vs 1Writer
From $4.99 one-time
- iA Writer vs Bear
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
- iA Writer vs Calmly Writer
Free plan · from $16.99 one-time
Common questions
Is iA Writer free?
No, iA Writer is a paid product, but you can try it first. 7-day free trial for Mac and Windows, no credit card required. No trial is listed for iPhone and iPad.
How much does iA Writer cost?
iA Writer lists 3 plans. iPhone & iPad: $19.99 one-time payment, App Store only. Windows: $29.99 one-time payment. Mac: $49.99 one-time payment. Prices were read from ia.net on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does iA Writer work on?
iA Writer is available on macOS, Windows and iOS.
Does iA Writer offer any discounts?
iA Writer publicly lists the following: 20% educational discount on direct purchases.
How is iA Writer rated?
iA Writer's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1,538 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does iA Writer have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. iA Writer is listed for macOS, Windows and iOS.
Does iA Writer have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. iA Writer is listed for macOS, Windows and iOS.
Is iA Writer open source?
iA Writer is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
What does iA Writer integrate with?
iA Writer's listing names WordPress and Medium. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does iA Writer have a student discount?
20% educational discount on direct purchases. iA offers a 20% educational discount on the Mac and Windows versions bought directly from it. App Store copies get education pricing on 20 or more licenses through Apple School Manager.
Who makes iA Writer?
iA Writer is made by Information Architects AG. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to iA Writer?
The closest alternatives to iA Writer in our directory are Ulysses, Typora, 1Writer, Bear and Calmly Writer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with iA Writer.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.