Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FocusWriter VS MarkText.app

Compare FocusWriter VS MarkText.app and see what are their differences

FocusWriter logo FocusWriter

FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you as much as...

MarkText.app logo MarkText.app

Mark Text is a Markdown editor for Mac, Windows and Linux.
  • FocusWriter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18
  • MarkText.app Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-26

FocusWriter features and specs

  • Distraction-Free Interface
    FocusWriter offers a clean, full-screen interface that helps minimize distractions, allowing writers to concentrate solely on their writing.
  • Customizable Themes
    The software provides multiple themes and customization options, enabling users to tailor their writing environment to their preferences.
  • Goal Setting
    FocusWriter includes goal tracking features such as daily word counts and session targets, which can help writers stay motivated and measure their productivity.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    FocusWriter is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    The application is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on older machines.
  • Auto-Save and Recovery
    FocusWriter offers auto-save and session recovery features, which protect users from losing work due to accidental closures or system crashes.
  • Free and Open-Source
    The software is free to use and open-source, fostering community contributions and allowing users to modify the software if they have the technical skills.

Possible disadvantages of FocusWriter

  • Limited Advanced Features
    FocusWriter lacks some advanced features found in other writing software, such as advanced grammar checking and extensive formatting options.
  • Basic Export Options
    The application offers limited export options primarily to plain text and Rich Text Format (RTF), which may not be suitable for all users.
  • Limited Integration
    FocusWriter does not offer extensive integration with other productivity tools and services, which could be a drawback for users who require seamless workflow management.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve due to the minimalistic interface and lack of in-app tutorials or guides.

MarkText.app features and specs

  • Open Source
    MarkText is an open-source application, which means its source code is publicly accessible. This allows users to inspect, modify, and enhance the app according to their needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    The application is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that users can enjoy a consistent experience across different operating systems.
  • Clean and Minimalistic Interface
    MarkText features a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to focus on writing without getting distracted by overly complex features.
  • Real-Time Preview
    Users can see a real-time preview of their Markdown content as they write, enabling them to format their documents accurately without needing to switch between edit and preview modes constantly.
  • Support for CommonMark
    MarkText supports CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Markdown documents and applications.

Possible disadvantages of MarkText.app

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While MarkText is excellent for basic Markdown editing, it may lack some of the advanced features found in other Markdown editors, such as built-in table of contents or more sophisticated export options.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, particularly with larger documents. This can cause the app to be sluggish or unresponsive at times.
  • Limited Plugin Ecosystem
    Unlike some other Markdown editors, MarkText does not have an extensive plugin ecosystem. This limits the ability to extend the app's functionality easily.
  • Syncing and Collaboration
    MarkText does not offer built-in features for real-time collaboration or document syncing across devices, which can be a drawback for teams or users working across multiple devices.
  • Documentation and Support
    While there is some documentation available, it might not be as comprehensive as some users would like. Additionally, since it's open-source, the level of official support can be limited.

Analysis of FocusWriter

Overall verdict

  • FocusWriter is generally considered a good choice for writers who prioritize a clean and focused writing workspace. Its simplicity and customization options make it suitable for those who want a straightforward tool without the distractions of more complex writing software.

Why this product is good

  • FocusWriter is a popular choice for writers who seek a distraction-free writing environment. It offers a minimalist interface that helps users concentrate on writing by hiding toolbars and menus until they are needed. It is also highly customizable, allowing users to change themes, fonts, and background images to suit their preferences. Moreover, FocusWriter includes features such as daily goals, timers, and basic statistics, which can help motivate and track writing progress.

Recommended for

    FocusWriter is particularly recommended for writers, authors, bloggers, and anyone who needs a distraction-free environment to focus on their writing tasks. It is ideal for users who prefer a lightweight, simple application and do not require advanced formatting or publishing features.

Analysis of MarkText.app

Overall verdict

  • MarkText is generally considered a good Markdown editor for those looking for a simple and efficient tool. It provides essential features for Markdown enthusiasts, though it may lack some advanced functionalities found in more comprehensive editors.

Why this product is good

  • MarkText.app is a popular Markdown editor known for its clean and intuitive interface. It supports various Markdown features, including tables, images, and math expressions. With live preview and a distraction-free mode, it is designed to enhance the writing experience for Markdown users. Additionally, MarkText is open-source and cross-platform, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Recommended for

  • Writers and bloggers using Markdown for content creation
  • Developers documenting code and projects
  • Students and academics leveraging Markdown for notes and documents
  • Anyone looking for a free, open-source Markdown editor with cross-platform compatibility

FocusWriter videos

Focuswriter Review

More videos:

  • Review - FocusWriter - App Reviews
  • Review - Writing Software - FocusWriter

MarkText.app videos

Using MS Word Review Tools to Mark Text

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FocusWriter and MarkText.app)
Markdown Editor
53 53%
47% 47
Text Editors
53 53%
47% 47
Writing Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Markdown Viewer
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FocusWriter and MarkText.app

FocusWriter Reviews

11 Best Scrivener Alternatives
Scrivener may be more complicated than FocusWriter, but if you want simplicity or minimalism, FocusWriter is worth considering. There are no elaborate formatting options or research notes to tinker around with so all you do is write.

MarkText.app Reviews

We have no reviews of MarkText.app yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FocusWriter should be more popular than MarkText.app. It has been mentiond 25 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FocusWriter mentions (25)

  • Ensล: write now, edit later
    Reminds me of the (dead) RoughDraft mac app by 43 Folders(?). There is also FocusWriter - opensource and multi-platform. https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    FocusWriter - Price: Free Distraction-free writing app for Mac that allows you to focus on your writing. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What do you people write on?
    You can get it here: https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there an app to keep track of all the details when writing a story?
    Also, if you're kinda of an indie author, try Bibisco or Focuswriter. Source: over 2 years ago
  • is there a computer that can only run word a processor
    If you have a spare laptop, I recommend just disabling the Internet altogether. But before then, install a program called FocusWriter - it goes full screen. Or instead of the spare computer idea, maybe create a new user account on your computer maybe called Writing, install FocusWriter and have it launch on startup, and disable that account's Internet. Source: over 2 years ago
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MarkText.app mentions (4)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FocusWriter and MarkText.app, you can also consider the following products

Scrivener - Scrivener is a content-generation tool for composing and structuring documents.

Typora - A minimal Markdown reading & writing app.

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

Zettlr - Write Markdown documents with a comprehensive GUI and many workflow/time management tools.

StackEdit - Full-featured, open-source Markdown editor based on PageDown, the Markdown library used by Stack Overflow and the other Stack Exchange sites.

WriteMonkey - Software for full screen distraction free creative writing. No whistles and bells, just empty screen, you and your words. WriteMonkey is light, fast, and perfectly handy for those who enjoy the simplicity of a typewriter but live in modern times.