The ZenPen Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about ZenPen 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.
ZenPen
The Insider’s Guide
Minimal browser text editor that stays out of the way
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from ZenPen’s own pages.
Made by Tim Holman · checked Nov 13, 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 ZenPen’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on ZenPen’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade
ZenPen is a free web app for plain, distraction-free writing. Its page holds a text area with a few formatting buttons, a target word count and a save option that copies text as Markdown, HTML or plain text. The text is kept locally in the browser using HTML5 local storage. The source code is MIT licensed.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about ZenPen, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Text lives only in the browser's local storage, there are no accounts, folders or sync, and saving means copying the text out.
- 1
Best for a plain page to type on
ZenPen is a minimal browser page for typing, with a word-count target and styling, at no cost.
- 2
It is free
ZenPen has no paid plan at all. The whole app is free to use in the browser; the page only offers a tip-jar link to support the maker.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
Minimal writing page
A plain page with a text area and a handful of buttons, described as a minimal editor made to stay out of the way.
- 5
Target word count
Set a word-count goal in the top bar to track progress as you write.
- 6
Text styling
Buttons apply bold, italic and quote formatting to the text you select.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 95 of 136
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
ZenPen is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
ZenPen at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Tim Holman
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a plain page to type on
ZenPen is a minimal browser page for typing, with a word-count target and styling, at no cost. Text lives only in the browser's local storage, there are no accounts, folders or sync, and saving means copying the text out.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $0, with only a tip-jar link. Nothing to buy. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole app is free, no account and no paid plans. |
| Features | D | A text area, a word target, bold, italic and quote styling and Markdown, HTML or plain-text copy. It has no saving, folders or sync, and needs another product for anything longer. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record, but open the page and type. Nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web only, with no accounts, sync between devices or integrations. |
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 ZenPen is for
- Fits if you want a blank page for a quick draft
- Works for a short piece you'll paste somewhere else
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want your work saved safely, since clearing browser data can remove it
- Not for you if you need folders or sync, as it has no accounts
- Too light for long projects, because there's no outline or file handling
- Watch out: saving means copying text to the clipboard, with no download button described
Good to know
Good for
- Quick drafting sessions in a browser tab
- Writers who want a blank page and a word-count target
- Anyone who needs Markdown or HTML out of a simple editor
Worth knowing
- It is a single-page web app with no accounts, folders or sync between devices.
- Text lives in this browser's local storage, so clearing browser data can remove it.
- Saving means copying the text to the clipboard; there is no file download or export button described.
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
ZenPen is free to use.
The whole app is free, no account and no paid plans.
ZenPen
$0
Free browser app with no account and no paid plans listed.
The free plan
The whole app is free to use in the browser; the page only offers a tip-jar link to support the maker.
Read from zenpen.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Minimal browser text editor that stays out of the way. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, local-first, Markdown, documents.
A text area, a word target, bold, italic and quote styling and Markdown, HTML or plain-text copy.
- Minimal writing page
- A plain page with a text area and a handful of buttons, described as a minimal editor made to stay out of the way.
- Target word count
- Set a word-count goal in the top bar to track progress as you write.
- Text styling
- Buttons apply bold, italic and quote formatting to the text you select.
- Save as Markdown, HTML or plain text
- Pick a format and copy the text with ctrl+c or cmd+c to paste it elsewhere.
- Local storage
- The project's README says everything is kept on your device through HTML5 local storage, not on a server.
- Open-source code
- The code is public on GitHub under the MIT license.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
ZenPen is made by Tim Holman.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
95/136
Other writing tools it is graded above
ZenPen's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 23.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 108 of 136) and worst on features (D, above 0).
ZenPen 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 137 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. ZenPen’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 89 of 136
- AFree plan and trialAbove 108 of 136
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 136
- BEase of useAbove 89 of 136
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 7 of 136
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 107 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. ZenPen 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
ZenPen 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 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Markdown and documents: an app builder makes these well.
What this rests on. ZenPen’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, FocusWriter, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer
The 5 tools ZenPen 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 macOS, Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- ZenPen is open source, according to its own site.
- Calmly Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.0GPA
FocusWriter
Free
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux.
- Only ZenPen lists a web app.
- Only FocusWriter lists Windows and Linux apps.
- ZenPen also covers Markdown.
- 2.8GPA
WriteMonkey
Free
Minimal plain-text Markdown editor for writers, free to use.
- Only ZenPen lists a web app.
- Only WriteMonkey lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- ZenPen is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
OmmWriter
From $9.99 one-time
Full-screen writing app with backgrounds, music and typing sounds.
- ZenPen has a free plan. OmmWriter does not.
- Only ZenPen lists a web app.
- Only OmmWriter lists macOS and Windows apps.
- 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 ZenPen lists a web app.
- Only Cold Turkey Writer lists macOS and Windows apps.
- ZenPen is open source, according to its own site.
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 ZenPen free?
Yes. ZenPen is free to use.
How much does ZenPen cost?
ZenPen lists one plan. ZenPen: $0.
What platforms does ZenPen work on?
ZenPen is available on Web.
Does ZenPen have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. ZenPen is listed for Web.
Does ZenPen have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. ZenPen is listed for Web.
Is ZenPen open source?
Yes. ZenPen is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes ZenPen?
ZenPen is made by Tim Holman.
What are the alternatives to ZenPen?
The closest alternatives to ZenPen in our directory are Calmly Writer, FocusWriter, WriteMonkey, OmmWriter and Cold Turkey Writer.
How does ZenPen compare with other writing tools?
ZenPen's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 23.
Is ZenPen good value for money?
ToolGPA grades ZenPen A for value for money. ZenPen has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of ZenPen?
ZenPen 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 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from ZenPen’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from ZenPen's own pages on 13 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 Tim Holman. Prices change, so check zenpen.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
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.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- ZenPen, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/zenpen
- 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, "ZenPen: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/zenpen
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/zenpen/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded writing tools after ZenPen, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Writing Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 137 writing tools we grade, compared
- FreeOffice TextMaker Insider's GuideFree word processor that opens and saves Microsoft Word files3.4 GPA
- Microsoft Word Insider's GuideWord processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Apache OpenOffice Insider's GuideFree open-source office suite with the Writer word processor3.2 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 ZenPen’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. ZenPen is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Tim Holman. Prices and plans change: check zenpen.io before you buy.