iA Writer alternatives
Top Word Processors like iA Writer
All iA Writer alternatives
Ulysses is a writing app for Apple devices made by the German company Ulysses GmbH. Texts live in a single library synced through iCloud, are written in a Markdown-based markup and can be exported to PDF, Word or ePub or published directly to WordPress, Ghost and other platforms. It suits bloggers, authors and students and is sold as a subscription after a free trial.
8 Ulysses alternativesPros
- Single library synced across Mac, iPhone and iPad via iCloud
- Publishes directly to WordPress, Ghost and other platforms
- Distraction-free writing with Markdown-based markup
Cons
- Only available on Apple devices
- Sold only as a subscription
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesScrivener, from Literature & Latte, is a writing tool for long-form projects such as novels, theses and screenplays. Its binder lets you split a manuscript into sections, rearrange them on a corkboard or outliner and keep research notes, PDFs and images next to the text, then compile everything into print, ebook or Word formats. It is a one-time purchase per platform with a free trial.
8 Scrivener alternativesPros
- Binder splits long manuscripts into easy-to-rearrange sections
- Research notes, PDFs and images kept next to the text
- Compile exports to print, ebook and Word formats
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for the compile feature
- A separate license is required for each platform
- Syncing with the iPhone app relies on Dropbox
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesBear is a writing and note-taking app for Mac, iPhone and iPad from Shiny Frog, built on Markdown with nested tags, links between notes and a choice of themes. The app is free to use on a single device, while Bear Pro adds iCloud sync across devices, OCR search in images and PDFs, and more export formats.
12 Bear alternativesPros
- Elegant Markdown editor with a choice of themes
- Nested tags and note links keep things organized without folders
- Native, fast apps designed for Mac, iPhone and iPad
Cons
- Apple only, with no Windows, Android or web version
- Sync across devices requires the Pro subscription
- No shared notes or real-time collaboration
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesObsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device, links them into a knowledge graph and extends with a large plugin ecosystem.
17 Obsidian alternativesPros
- Notes are plain Markdown files stored on your device
- Large ecosystem of community plugins and themes
- Graph view and backlinks for connected notes
Cons
- Official sync and publishing are paid add-ons
- Plugin-heavy setups take time to configure and maintain
- No real-time collaboration on notes
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPages is Apple's free word processor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, also usable in the browser through iCloud.com. It mixes word processing with page layout, offering designed templates for reports, flyers and books, plus EPUB export. Documents sync via iCloud, can be edited with others in real time and can be exported to Word or PDF.
9 Pages alternativesPros
- Free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with well-designed templates
- Combines word processing and page layout
- Exports to Word, PDF and EPUB
Cons
- Native apps only on Apple devices, others must use iCloud.com
- Word conversion can lose formatting in complex documents
- Fewer advanced features than Word for long documents
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesMicrosoft Word is the word processor in Microsoft 365 and the reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces. It offers styles, track changes, comments, mail merge, references and real-time co-authoring through OneDrive or SharePoint, plus Copilot drafting in eligible plans. Word runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available with a Microsoft account.
11 Microsoft Word alternativesPros
- The reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces
- Powerful styles, track changes, references and mail merge
- Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web
Cons
- Full desktop features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Dense interface packed with features most people never use
- Copilot features are limited to eligible plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGoogle Docs is Google's online word processor, used for writing and editing documents together in real time. Comments, suggestion mode, version history and sharing links are built in, and files can be edited offline or exported as Word, PDF or OpenDocument. It is free with a Google account, with Gemini AI and business controls available through paid Google Workspace plans.
11 Google Docs alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode
- Free with a Google account and accessible from any browser
- Version history makes every change recoverable
Cons
- Fewer layout and formatting options than desktop word processors
- Offline editing has to be set up in advance
- Gemini and business controls require paid Workspace plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesCraft is a document and note-taking app with a native, polished design on Mac, iPhone and iPad, also available on Windows and the web. Notes are built from blocks and nested pages with backlinks, can be shared as public web pages or edited together in real time, and include AI writing help, tasks and daily notes.
12 Craft alternativesPros
- Polished native design on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Block-based pages can be shared as public web pages
- Real-time collaboration plus built-in AI writing help
Cons
- The experience is best on Apple devices, other platforms feel secondary
- Advanced features and AI usage are reserved for paid plans
- Less suited to large databases than Notion-style tools
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryHemingway Editor highlights long and hard-to-read sentences, adverbs, passive voice and complex words, and shows a readability grade to help you simplify your writing. The free web version covers the core checks, a desktop app bought once works offline on Windows and Mac, and the Hemingway Editor Plus subscription adds AI fixes and a grammar check. It is designed for English.
7 Hemingway Editor alternativesPros
- Highlights dense sentences, adverbs and passive voice
- Readability grade gives instant feedback
- Desktop app bought once works offline
Cons
- Designed for English only
- Grammar checks and AI fixes need the Plus subscription
- Its rules can push toward overly plain prose
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategories
iA Writer vs its alternatives at a glance
Pricing, platforms and the key features of iA Writer, compared with its most popular alternatives.
| App | Pricing | Platforms | Dark mode | Markdown support | Offline mode | Templates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 iA Writer | Free trial | Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android | ||||
 Ulysses | Free trial | Mac, iPhone | ||||
 Scrivener | Free trial | Windows, Mac, iPhone | ||||
 Bear | Freemium | Mac, iPhone | ||||
 Obsidian | Freemium | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | ||||
 Pages | Free | Web, Mac, iPhone |
iA Writer alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to iA Writer?
The most popular alternative to iA Writer is Ulysses: Distraction-free Markdown writing app for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Other great alternatives are Scrivener, Bear, Obsidian, and Pages.
Is there a free alternative to iA Writer?
Yes, 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Bear, Obsidian, Pages, and Microsoft Word.
Is there an open source alternative to iA Writer?
No open source alternative to iA Writer is listed yet.
Is iA Writer free?
iA Writer is a paid app that offers a free trial.
Compare iA Writer with its alternatives
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