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iA Writer has a dark mode and shortcut integration for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Plus, it’s just beautiful. However, given its high price, you need to be very committed to the idea of a distraction-free work environment to go with iA Writer.
Ulysses
The basic design and feature set of Ulysses It’s not much different from iA Writer. It has a sidebar for browsing and organizing your files, and a large main panel for composing. But it definitely has more features, including tools for goal tracking and proofreading. Thanks to its simple but well-thought-out organization system, you could probably even use Ulysses as a note-taking app in a pinch.
Like iA Writer, it has a typewriter mode with line highlighting and text scrolling, but the first time you use it, you’ll have to activate the different parts individually. One of its biggest draws is its styles, which let you export documents using custom templates for screenplays, novels, blog posts, and more.
The downside to Ulysses is that it’s only available with a $40 annual subscription and is only for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. If you’re a Windows user, you’re out of luck.
Focused writer
This is perhaps the most basic of all, but it should not be overlooked. Focused writer It has all the basic features you’d expect from a text editor, including spell check and the ability to have multiple documents open simultaneously. It also has tools for serious writers, such as statistics tracking and goal setting.
Unlike most other apps, FocusWriter uses rich text formatting (RTF) instead of Markdown. However, it probably has the most customizable interface of all. You can meticulously choose the colors, fonts, and background of the interface.
One of the biggest draws is that it’s free and open source, though for now it’s only available for Windows and Linux. While you can probably get it running on macOS if you know how to use the command line, it will require some legwork, and there’s no mobile client or file syncing.
Omm writer
The idea of writing without distractions is, in essence, a bit gimmicky. But Omm writer is probably the most effective of the lot. Not only does it cut out the superfluous nonsense, but it seeks to immerse you in an environment conducive to a state of flow. That includes soothing soundscapes to help you focus and even various typing sound effects to enhance the vibes.
If you want more audible feedback while typing, but don’t want to invest in a full-blown mechanical keyboard, this might be the one to go for. However, the slight delay between when your fingers hit the keys and the sound coming out of the speakers bothered me.
Otherwise, the user interface is pretty simple, with a resizable text box in the center and a few buttons on the right to change settings. It’s the cheapest commercial option out there, costing $9.93 for macOS or Windows. But you can also try it out in your browser by playing around with a stripped-down version for free.
Amanuensis
Amanuensis has a strong following among writers of long-form texts, and for good reason. While the app has a great distraction-free mode, with typewriter-style scrolling, it also features advanced organizational tools that you’re sure to appreciate if you’re working on a book or script. It’s specifically designed for longer writing projects.
Its project outlines make it easy to gather information or rearrange ideas until you find the one that fits. When it’s time to write, the full-screen composition mode removes everything except the text box. It’s the most minimalist editor of all.
