The WriteMonkey Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about WriteMonkey 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.
WriteMonkey
The Insider’s Guide
Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from WriteMonkey’s own pages.
Made by pomarancha · checked Nov 12, 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 WriteMonkey’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on WriteMonkey’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about WriteMonkey, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It's free, and donors get extras like plugins.
- 1
Best for distraction-free plain-text writing on a keyboard
WriteMonkey is a stripped-down, keyboard-driven text editor with Markdown.
- 2
It is free
WriteMonkey has no paid plan at all. Free to download and use on as many machines as you like; donors get a key for extras.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Minimal interface
A stripped-down window meant to leave you with the text and a word count, without toolbars.
- 5
Markdown support
Plain-text writing with Markdown, which the vendor says it supported early among writer-focused editors.
- 6
Keyboard-driven use
Version 3 is described as keyboard friendly, with commands and shortcuts instead of menus.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 67 of 100
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
WriteMonkey is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
WriteMonkey at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- pomarancha, since 2006
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
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.
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
WriteMonkey is free to use.
Free to download and use on as many machines as you like.
Free
$0
Full download with no limits stated; a donation of any amount is optional.
The free plan
Free to download and use on as many machines as you like; donors get a key for extras.
Read from writemonkey.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: keyboard-first, Markdown.
Markdown, plugins and an AI helper plugin, but plain text only with no page layout or rich formatting.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- ChatGPT
WriteMonkey is made by pomarancha, and has been around since 2006.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
67/100
Other writing tools it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 81 of 100
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 100
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 100
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 5 of 100
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 79 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. WriteMonkey 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
FocusWriter, Zettlr, MarkText, iA Writer and Typora
The 5 tools WriteMonkey is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
FocusWriter
Free
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux.
- Only WriteMonkey lists a macOS app.
- FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- WriteMonkey also covers Markdown.
- 2.8GPA
Zettlr
Free
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing.
- Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes, citations and long-form writing.
- 3.0GPA
MarkText
Free
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering.
- MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
iA Writer
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode.
- WriteMonkey has a free plan. iA Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only WriteMonkey lists a Linux app.
- Only iA Writer lists an iOS app.
- 2.6GPA
Typora
Free trial · from $14.99 one-time
Minimal Markdown editor that renders formatting as you type.
- WriteMonkey has a free plan. Typora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Typora can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 WriteMonkey free?
Yes. WriteMonkey is free to use.
How much does WriteMonkey cost?
WriteMonkey lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does WriteMonkey work on?
WriteMonkey is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
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.
What does WriteMonkey integrate with?
WriteMonkey's listing names ChatGPT. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes WriteMonkey?
WriteMonkey is made by pomarancha. It dates from 2006.
What are the alternatives to WriteMonkey?
The closest alternatives to WriteMonkey in our directory are FocusWriter, Zettlr, MarkText, iA Writer and Typora.
How does WriteMonkey compare with other writing tools?
WriteMonkey's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 67 of the 100 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
Is WriteMonkey good value for money?
ToolGPA grades WriteMonkey A for value for money. WriteMonkey has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of WriteMonkey?
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.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from WriteMonkey’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. 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.
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 pomarancha. Prices change, so check writemonkey.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 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.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- WriteMonkey, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/writemonkey
- 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, "WriteMonkey: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/writemonkey
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/writemonkey/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what WriteMonkey’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. WriteMonkey is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by pomarancha. Prices and plans change: check writemonkey.com before you buy.