Finest Distraction-Free Writing Apps: iA Author, Ulysses, FocusWriter, Google Docs, Obsidian

iA Author has darkish mode and shortcut integration for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Plus it’s simply plain fairly. Given the excessive value although, it’s a must to be fairly devoted to the thought of a distraction-free working atmosphere to spring for iA Author.

Ulysses

The essential structure and have set of Ulysses isn’t terribly completely different from iA Author. There’s a sidebar for navigating and organizing your recordsdata, and a big essential pane for composing. However it’s undoubtedly extra feature-rich, together with instruments for aim monitoring and proofreading. Because of its easy however considerate group system, you possibly can in all probability even use Ulysses as a note-taking app in a pinch.

Like iA Author it has a typewriter mode with line highlighting and textual content scrolling. However it’s a must to activate the varied elements of it individually the primary time. One in every of its larger attracts is its kinds that will let you export paperwork utilizing templates custom-made for scripts, novels, weblog posts, and extra.

The knock towards Ulysses is that it’s out there solely as a $40 annual subscription. And it’s strictly for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Should you’re a Home windows consumer, you’re out of luck.

FocusWriter

That is maybe probably the most bare-bones of the bunch, however it shouldn’t be ignored. FocusWriter has all of the fundamentals you’d count on from a textual content editor, together with spell examine and the flexibility to have a number of paperwork open concurrently. It additionally has instruments for critical writers, like stat monitoring and aim setting.

In contrast to a lot of the different apps right here, FocusWriter makes use of wealthy textual content (RTF) for formatting as a substitute of Markdown. It in all probability has probably the most customizable interface of the bunch, although. You possibly can meticulously select the interface colours, fonts, and background.

One of many largest attracts will likely be that it’s free and open supply, although proper now it’s out there for Home windows and Linux solely. When you can in all probability get it working on macOS if you understand your manner round a command line, it should take some legwork, and there’s no cell consumer or file syncing.

OmmWriter

The thought of distraction-free writing is, inherently, form of gimmicky. However OmmWriter might be probably the most gimmicky of the bunch. It doesn’t simply strip away the extraneous nonsense; it goals to immerse you in an atmosphere conducive to a circulate state. That features mild soundscapes that will help you focus and even numerous typing sound results to reinforce the vibes.

In order for you extra audible suggestions whereas typing, however don’t wish to spend money on a pleasant mechanical keyboard, this may do the job. Although, the very slight lag between your fingers hitting the keys and the sound popping out of the audio system bugged me.

In any other case, the UI is fairly naked, with a resizable textual content field within the middle and some buttons to the fitting for altering settings. It’s the most cost effective of the industrial choices right here at $9.93 for macOS or Home windows. However it’s also possible to give it a whirl in your browser by enjoying with a stripped down model totally free.

Scrivener

Scrivener has a devoted following amongst long-form writers, and for good motive. Whereas the app does have a wonderful distraction-free mode, full with typewriter-style scrolling, it additionally sports activities superior organizing instruments that you just’re certain to understand for those who’re engaged on a ebook or a screenplay. It’s made particularly with longer writing tasks in thoughts.

Its venture outlines make it easy to gather analysis or rearrange concepts till you discover what clicks. When it comes time to really write, the complete display screen composition mode eliminates all the things however the textual content field. It’s probably the most minimal of editors.