Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FocusWriter VS Plot Shift

Compare FocusWriter VS Plot Shift and see what are their differences

FocusWriter logo FocusWriter

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

Plot Shift logo Plot Shift

Collaborative storytelling
  • FocusWriter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18
  • Plot Shift Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-01-08

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.

Plot Shift features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Plot Shift offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that allows users to efficiently manage and organize their writing projects.
  • Collaboration Features
    The platform supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same project seamlessly, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
  • Versatile Plot Management
    Plot Shift provides versatile tools for plot and story structure management, helping writers streamline and organize their narratives effectively.
  • Integrations
    The software integrates with a variety of other tools and platforms, providing users with the flexibility to use it alongside their existing software ecosystem.
  • Cloud Access
    Being cloud-based, Plot Shift allows users to access their projects from any device, offering flexibility and convenience in writing and editing.

Possible disadvantages of Plot Shift

  • Subscription Cost
    Some users may find the subscription cost expensive compared to other writing tools, which could be a drawback for those on a tight budget.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, new users might experience a learning curve as they familiarize themselves with the various features and functionalities.
  • Limited Offline Access
    As a cloud-based solution, Plot Shiftโ€™s functionalities are limited when offline, requiring an internet connection for full feature access.
  • Feature Overload for Beginners
    The wide array of features might be overwhelming for novice writers who are looking for a more straightforward tool.

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.

FocusWriter videos

Focuswriter Review

More videos:

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

Plot Shift videos

No Plot Shift videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FocusWriter and Plot Shift)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Markdown Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Writing Tools
91 91%
9% 9

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 Plot Shift

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.

Plot Shift Reviews

We have no reviews of Plot Shift yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FocusWriter seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 27 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 (27)

  • WriterdeckOS
    Https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download is Qt based so that'd get you most of it, last time I compiled it the deps where Qt/SDL. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • WriterdeckOS
    I like https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ and have used it for years and years, you can configure the look and feel pretty extensively. Lots of ways to skin that cat (especially if like me you are a linux user) but focuswriter does everything I need, very little I don't and there is a frame/mindset shift to using the same tool for a specific task. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • 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 3 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 3 years ago
  • What do you people write on?
    You can get it here: https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Plot Shift mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Plot Shift yet. Tracking of Plot Shift recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FocusWriter and Plot Shift, you can also consider the following products

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

Squad - Screen share with friends from a group video chat โœจ

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

Storybook - Storybook is an open source tool for developing UI components in isolation for React, Vue, and Angular. It makes building stunning UIs organized and efficient.

Typora - A minimal Markdown reading & writing app.

First Draft Pro - First Draft Pro is designed for writing stories โ€“ whether youโ€™re working on your first novel, or your fifth.