# WriteMonkey review (2026): is it any good? > Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use Checked Nov 12, 2026 ยท graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Writing Tools - **Made by:** pomarancha (since 2006) - **Website:** https://writemonkey.com - **Runs on:** Windows, macOS, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want formatting or page layout, as it's plain text only. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 12, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 12, 2026, WriteMonkey is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://writemonkey.com/wm3/ on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with WriteMonkey before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - Writers who want a bare screen and a word count - People comfortable writing in Markdown plain text - Anyone who wants a free editor with no account ## 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.8 out of 4**, graded Nov 12, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free to download and use on as many machines as you like. A program anyone can download and run. - **Free plan and trial: A.** No caps on the free version; donations are optional and only unlock extras. - **Features: C.** Markdown, plugins and an AI helper plugin, but plain text only with no page layout or rich formatting. - **Ease of use: C.** No store rating on record. It's keyboard-driven, so you'll learn the shortcuts. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** Windows, Mac and Linux only, with no phone or web version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/writing ## Keep it, 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. - You could make: Markdown: an app builder makes this well. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. ## Works with ChatGPT **Tags:** Markdown, Keyboard-first ## Alternatives - [FocusWriter](https://toolgpa.com/tools/focuswriter): Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/focuswriter-vs-writemonkey) - [Zettlr](https://toolgpa.com/tools/zettlr): Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/writemonkey-vs-zettlr) - [MarkText](https://toolgpa.com/tools/marktext): Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/marktext-vs-writemonkey) - [iA Writer](https://toolgpa.com/tools/ia-writer): Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/ia-writer-vs-writemonkey) - [Typora](https://toolgpa.com/tools/typora): Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/typora-vs-writemonkey) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026: - https://writemonkey.com/ - https://writemonkey.com/wm3/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/writemonkey Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).