Free iA Writer alternatives

All iA Writer alternatives

1. 

   

   Bear

   4.7(6.9K) · App StoreLike

   Bear 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Note-taking & Knowledge Bases

   Platforms

   MaciPhone

   Features

   Bidirectional linksCross-device syncDark modeMarkdown supportOCR

   Visit websiteMore about Bear
2. 

   

   Obsidian

   4.5(2.8K) · App StoreLike

   Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device, links them into a knowledge graph and extends with a large plugin ecosystem.

   17 Obsidian alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Note-taking & Knowledge Bases

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   End-to-end encryptionMarkdown supportOffline mode

   Visit websiteMore about Obsidian
3. 

   

   Pages

   4.6(573.5K) · App StoreLike

   Pages 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreeProprietary

   Categories

   Word Processors

   Platforms

   WebMaciPhone

   Features

   Cross-device syncMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes

   Visit websiteMore about Pages
4. 

   

   Microsoft Word

   4.7(3M) · App StoreLike

   Microsoft 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Word Processors

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid

   Features

   AI assistantGrammar and spell checkMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes

   Visit websiteMore about Microsoft Word
5. 

   

   Google Docs

   4.8(3.3M) · App StoreLike

   Google 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Word Processors

   Platforms

   WebiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   AI assistantMicrosoft Office file compatibilityOffline modeReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes

   Visit websiteMore about Google Docs
6. 

   

   Craft

   4.8(6.6K) · App StoreLike

   Craft 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Note-taking & Knowledge BasesWord Processors

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMaciPhone

   Features

   AI assistantBidirectional linksCross-device syncOffline modeReal-time collaborationTemplates

   Visit websiteMore about Craft
7. 

   

   Hemingway Editor

   Like

   Hemingway 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 alternatives

   Pros

   • 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 / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Writing Assistants

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMac

   Features

   Grammar and spell checkOffline modeParaphrasing

   Visit websiteMore about Hemingway Editor