WriteMonkey review (2026): is it any good?
Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use
WriteMonkey report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for distraction-free plain-text writing on a keyboard
WriteMonkey is a stripped-down, keyboard-driven text editor with Markdown. It's free, and donors get extras like plugins. It's plain text only, version 3 is a zip you unzip and upgrade by hand, and the latest version 3 release on the site is from January 2023.
Who WriteMonkey is for
- Fits if you want a bare screen to type on and a keyboard to drive it
- Works for Markdown writers who don't need page layout
Who WriteMonkey is not for
- Skip it if you want formatting or page layout, as it's plain text only
- Not for you if you want an installer and automatic updates, because it's a zip and upgrades are by hand
- Watch out: the latest version 3 release is dated January 2023, so check it's still kept up
- Watch out: old version 2 donor keys don't work in version 3
Why WriteMonkey gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to download and use on as many machines as you like. A program anyone can download and run.
- AFree plan and trialNo caps on the free version; donations are optional and only unlock extras.
- CFeaturesMarkdown, plugins and an AI helper plugin, but plain text only with no page layout or rich formatting.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record. It's keyboard-driven, so you'll learn the shortcuts.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux only, with no phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from WriteMonkey's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/writemonkey#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/writemonkey.svg" alt="WriteMonkey: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where WriteMonkey stands among writing tools
WriteMonkey's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 81 of 100) and worst on features (C, above 0).
WriteMonkey has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 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 101 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. WriteMonkey’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 65 of 100, level with 35
- AFree plan and trialAbove 81 of 100, level with 19
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 100, level with 63
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 100, level with 52
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 5 of 100, level with 45
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 79 writing tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep WriteMonkey, or make your own?
Keep it
WriteMonkey is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Markdown: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. WriteMonkey’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.
What is WriteMonkey?
WriteMonkey is a stripped-down, distraction-free text editor for writers, with Markdown support and a keyboard-driven interface. Version 3 runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; the older version 2.7 is Windows only. It is free, and donations unlock donor-only extras.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- Minimal interface
- A stripped-down window meant to leave you with the text and a word count, without toolbars.
- Markdown support
- Plain-text writing with Markdown, which the vendor says it supported early among writer-focused editors.
- Keyboard-driven use
- Version 3 is described as keyboard friendly, with commands and shortcuts instead of menus.
- Plugins
- Plugins such as corkboards, a Pomodoro timer and a thesaurus lookup are listed; in version 3 they are bundled with the download.
- AI-helper plugin
- A ChatGPT-based plugin for version 3 is offered as a separate download, per the vendor's July 2023 note.
- Three operating systems
- Version 3 ships as zip downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux that run without an installer.
WriteMonkey pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, WriteMonkey is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download and use on as many machines as you like; donors get a key for extras.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full download with no limits stated; a donation of any amount is optional. |
Read from writemonkey.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with WriteMonkey before you buy.
Works with
WriteMonkey alternatives
- WriteMonkey vs iA Writer
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
- WriteMonkey vs Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
Common questions
Does WriteMonkey have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. WriteMonkey is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does WriteMonkey have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. WriteMonkey is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is WriteMonkey open source?
WriteMonkey is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.