Whether working on a new blog post, mid-term paper, or your first novel, these ten apps will fit seamlessly into your writing workflow to increase your focus and minimize distractions.
Here are the top ten distraction-free writing apps:
1. Ulysses (Mac & iOS)
Ulysses prides itself on being a distraction-free writing app. It offers a range of compelling features: a markup-based text editor with easy organization, a distraction-free interface, and, if you want to go old-school, a typewriter mode. With the option to enter full-screen view, Ulysses is a fantastic choice for an immersive and complete writing experience.
Reasons we love Ulysses
- Ulysses is a popular and well-respected app with a large user base.
- It has a clean and uncluttered interface that can be customized to your liking.
- It has a variety of features to help you focus on your writing, such as a distraction-free writing mode, a goal tracker, and a focus timer.
- Over 6,800 reviews and 4.7 stars on the App Store
2. Scrivener (Mac, iOS, Windows)
Scrivener is a powerful writing app that can be used for a variety of projects, from novels to screenplays. It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars, leaving you with just a blank canvas to write on. Scrivener also has a number of other features that can help you stay organized and focused, such as a corkboard for outlining your ideas, a scriptwriting mode, and a splitting tool for working on multiple documents at the same time.
Reasons we love Scrivener
- Scrivener is a powerful writing app that can be used for a variety of projects, from novels to screenplays.
- It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars, leaving you with just a blank canvas to write on.
- It also has a number of other features that can help you stay organized and focused, such as a corkboard for outlining your ideas, a scriptwriting mode, and a splitting tool for working on multiple documents at the same time.
- Over 80 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on G2
3. iA Writer (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
iA Writer is a minimalist writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing. It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions, and it supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live word count, and multiple themes.
Reasons we love iA Writer
- iA Writer is a minimalist writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing.
- It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions.
- It supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live word count, and multiple themes.
- Over 4,900 reviews and a 4.4-star rating on Google Play
4. FocusWriter (Windows, Linux)
FocusWriter is a free and open-source writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing. It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars, and it also has a number of other features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
Reasons we love FocusWriter
- FocusWriter is a free and open-source writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing.
- It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars.
- It also has a number of other features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
5. Byword (Mac, iOS)
Byword is a lightweight and simple writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing. It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars, and it also has a number of other features to help you stay on task, such as a word count tracker, a time tracker, and a fullscreen mode.
Reasons we love Byword
- Byword is a lightweight and simple writing app that is designed to help you focus on your writing.
- It has a distraction-free writing mode that hides all of the menus and toolbars.
- It also has a number of other features to help you stay on task, such as a word count tracker, a time tracker, and a fullscreen mode.
- 171 reviews and a 4.4-star rating on the App Store
6. Typora (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Typora is a Markdown-based writing app that is designed to be both powerful and distraction-free. It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions, and it also supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live preview, and multiple themes.
Reasons we love Typora
- Typora is a Markdown-based writing app that is designed to be both powerful and distraction-free.
- It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions.
- It also supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live preview, and multiple themes.
7. TextExpander (Chrome, Windows, Mac)
TextExpander is a productivity tool that allows users to quickly insert frequently used text Snippets, phrases, or templates into any application. It works by assigning a short abbreviation to each snippet, and then typing that abbreviation to automatically expand the snippet into its full form. This can save a lot of time, especially for people who type a lot of repetitive text.
Reasons we love TextExpander
- TextExpander can save you a lot of time by eliminating the need to type out repetitive text.
- It can help to reduce errors by ensuring that your snippets are always typed correctly.
- It can help you to be more productive by allowing you to focus on your work rather than on typing.
- TextExpander can make typing more enjoyable by allowing you to quickly insert text without having to type it out yourself.
- Over 90 reviews on G2 with an average of 4.8 stars
8. Atticus (Online, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)
Atticus is a distraction-free writing app that is available online and as a desktop and mobile app. It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions, and it also has a number of features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
Reasons we love Atticus
- Atticus is a distraction-free writing app that is available online and as a desktop and mobile app.
- It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions.
- It also has a number of features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
9. ZenPen (Online)
ZenPen is a distraction-free writing app that is available online. It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions, and it also has a number of features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
Reasons we love ZenPen
- ZenPen is a distraction-free writing app that is available online.
- It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions.
- It also has a number of features to help you stay on task, such as a timer, a focus goal, and a fullscreen mode.
10. Ghostwriter (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Ghostwriter is a free and open-source Markdown-based writing app that is designed to be both powerful and distraction-free. It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions, and it also supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live preview, and multiple themes.
Reasons we love Ghostwriter
- Ghostwriter is a free and open-source Markdown-based writing app that is designed to be both powerful and distraction-free.
- It has a clean and simple interface that is free of distractions.
- It also supports a variety of features, such as syntax highlighting, live preview, and multiple themes.
