Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to iA Writer 5 for Mac

The focused writing app.

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. iA Writer 5 for Mac launched in 2018; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   iA Writer for Windows▲11

   A Focused Writing App for Windows

   2018 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   iA Writer 6▲144

   A laser focused writing app

   2022 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   iA Writer 4▲314

   Embed images, tables and text as blocks of content in text

   2016 · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Paper▲94

   Distraction-free writing app for your iPhone, iPad and Mac

   2017 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   iA Writer 5▲20

   Get Focused. Get Started. Get iA Writer.

   2017 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   iA Writer 3▲207

   The quintessential writing machine, rewritten.

   2015 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Ulysses 18▲119

   A writing app that helps you focus on what you want to say

   2019 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   iA Writer 2.0▲78

   Don't get distracted. Focus on what you are writing.

   2014 · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Rough Draft▲408

   Write now. Edit later. Remember, it's just a rough draft.

   2015 · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Compose for macOS▲280

    Your personal writing assistant to increase productivity

    2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Calmly Writer Desktop App▲79

    The ultimate distraction-free desktop writing app

    2021 · its alternatives →

12. 12
    iA Writer▲9

    The writing app that everyone needs.

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    TypoTab ▲191

    Refine your writing in seconds on macOS

    2025 · typotab.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Spaces▲200

    Writing app that never breaks your flow ✍️

    2020 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Paragraphs▲272

    A minimalist writing app for Mac

    2015 · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Typed▲256

    The stunning markdown and writing app for Mac

    2014 · its alternatives →

17. 17
    FocusWriter▲9

    Distraction free writing app

    2016 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Solo▲80

    Distraction-free writing.

    2020 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Easy Writer▲115

    Simple, elegant, distraction free writing.

    2018 · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Ulysses III▲293

    A powerful writing tool for Mac, iPad, and iPhone

    2014 · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Simply Write▲154

    Distraction-free writing tool

    2025 · simplywrite.online · its alternatives →

22. 22
    The Offline Writing App▲110

    The only writing app that forces you to disconnect.

    2020 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Write▲117

    📝 A writing app to combat writer's block, distractions, etc.

    2017 · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Elephas▲210

    Only AI writer that works across your Mac applications

    2022 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →