A quiet place to write
Minimalist distraction-free writing app. No Trustpilot profile. App Store: 4.4/5. Cross-platform (Mac, iOS, Windows, Android) but pay separately for each. $50 per platform adds up. Known for Focus Mode and excellent typography.
Patterns extracted from real user feedback — not raw reviews.
iA Writer is great for short articles and blog posts but disappointing for books or screenplays due to lack of features. Managing chapters becomes cumbersome, and it's hard to differentiate chapters, articles, and notes without a custom tagging system. Best for works under 10,000 words.
The lack of a library organizer is a common criticism. Users want a more structured/tree-styled library layout. The flat file structure limits the app to short manuscripts. Organizing large projects requires workarounds outside the app.
Some users find iA Writer less accessible than similar iOS markdown writers. The minimalist design prioritizes aesthetics over accessibility features, which can be frustrating for users with specific accessibility needs.
Unlike Ulysses, iA Writer can't handle file attachments or merge documents easily. No smart folders, no keywords for filtering, limited export options compared to competitors. You're paying for minimalism, not features.
Users note the lack of a true WYSIWYG markdown experience. Other apps transform markdown syntax into visual formatting when cursor moves elsewhere, but iA Writer keeps the raw syntax visible. Requires mental parsing of Markdown.
iA Writer is sold separately per platform - you must buy Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android versions individually. This adds up quickly for users on multiple platforms. Unlike subscription apps, there's no 'all platforms' option.
Users report issues with purchase recognition on Onyx devices like Boox tablets. The developer acknowledged that a fix requires considerable time and effort with no realistic ETA. Device-specific bugs can block legitimate purchases.
Pure distraction-free writing experience
iA Writer is 'simplicity at its finest' and 'quite literally a game changer' for focused writing. The minimalist interface eliminates distractions completely. Focus Mode highlights only the current sentence/paragraph.
Plain text Markdown files you own
Files are saved as plain text Markdown in iCloud or Dropbox folders. You can edit them anywhere, even outside the app. No proprietary format, no lock-in. True data ownership.
Excellent typography and design
Created by a design firm specializing in typography. The writing experience is beautifully crafted with custom fonts. Every detail is considered for readability and focus.
Real-time style and syntax checking
Spelling, grammar and style checkers operate in realtime. The style checker greys out filler text and platitudes. The syntax checker colors parts of speech to help improve writing quality.
One-time purchase, no subscription
Unlike Ulysses ($50/year), iA Writer is a one-time purchase per platform. Pay once and own it. Major updates may cost extra, but no recurring fees. Better for subscription-fatigued users.
True cross-platform with Windows and Android
Unlike Bear and Ulysses (Apple-only), iA Writer is available on Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android. Google Drive support on Windows/Android. Write on any device you own.
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)
Limitations: Mac only, must buy other platforms separately
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)
Limitations: iOS only
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)
Limitations: Windows only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)
Limitations: Android only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited
Limitations: Must maintain subscription for access
Professional writers
Distraction-free writing with beautiful typography. Focus mode and syntax highlighting help writers concentrate on content.
Bloggers and content creators
Clean Markdown editing, easy publishing to WordPress/Medium. Content creators love the simplicity and export options.
Bloggers and short-form writers
iA Writer excels at articles, blog posts, and essays under 10,000 words. The distraction-free environment and plain text files make it perfect for focused short-form writing.
Writers who value plain text portability
Files are standard Markdown stored in your cloud storage. No proprietary format, no lock-in. You can edit files in any text editor. Future-proof writing.
Cross-platform users on Windows/Android + Apple
Unlike Bear or Ulysses (Apple-only), iA Writer works on Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android. Use Dropbox or Google Drive to sync across all platforms.
Subscription-fatigued writers
One-time purchase per platform means no recurring fees. Pay once, own it. Better value long-term compared to Ulysses at $50/year if you write regularly.
Engineering teams
Writing-focused, not documentation-focused. No code blocks, no linking, no collaboration. Engineers need Obsidian or documentation tools.
Book authors or screenwriters
iA Writer lacks features for managing long-form projects. No chapter organization, document merging, or research management. For books or screenplays, Scrivener or Ulysses are far better suited.
Users needing complex organization
The flat file structure with no tree-style library makes organizing large projects difficult. If you need smart folders, keywords, or hierarchical organization, look at Ulysses or Scrivener.
Users wanting WYSIWYG editing
iA Writer shows raw Markdown syntax while writing. If you want formatted text that hides markup, apps like Craft, Notion, or Bear offer better visual editing experiences.
Common buyer's remorse scenarios reported by users.
Writers purchase iA Writer expecting to write a book, then discover the lack of chapter organization and document management. They've already invested in the tool before realizing it's designed for short-form content.
Users buy Mac version, then realize they need iOS, then Windows. Each platform is a separate $30 purchase. The total cost exceeds what a subscription would have been, and they feel nickel-and-dimed.
Users expecting Markdown to render visually (hiding syntax) discover iA Writer keeps raw syntax visible. The pure text experience isn't what they wanted for daily writing.
Scenarios where this product tends to fail users.
When a blog turns into a book or project expands to multiple connected documents, iA Writer's flat file structure becomes unmanageable. Writers must switch to Scrivener or Ulysses for organization.
iA Writer has no collaboration features. Sharing requires exporting files or using shared cloud folders with manual conflict resolution. Teams need to switch to collaborative tools.
When users need smart folders, keywords, document linking, or research management, iA Writer's minimalism becomes limiting. The simplicity that attracted them becomes a constraint.
Scrivener
Book authors switch for binder organization, corkboard planning, and research management. One-time purchase like iA Writer, with Windows support. Better for complex projects.
Typora
Users wanting true WYSIWYG Markdown switch to Typora. It hides syntax while typing for cleaner visual editing. One-time purchase, cross-platform.
Ulysses
Writers needing more organization switch to Ulysses. Gain: library management, writing goals, better organization. Trade-off: subscription model, Apple-only.
Obsidian
Users wanting linking and notes switch to Obsidian. Gain: knowledge management, plugins, local files. Trade-off: less focused writing experience.
Bear
Apple users wanting notes + writing switch to Bear. Gain: better organization, tagging, notes app. Trade-off: Apple-only, less export options.
