ghostwriter
Focus: markdown editor, writing app and kde. Shares distraction-free with Calmly Writer. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, Linux
4.5Visit
Web App
Calmly Writer
A minimalist writing app that hides everything except your words.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web, Windows, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Calmly Writer?
Calmly Writer offers a free online notepad with focus mode, Markdown support, dark mode, word count and typewriter sounds, and your text stays in your browser with no signup or ads. The desktop and Android apps are a one-time purchase, with a 14-day free trial on desktop.
Pros: what Calmly Writer does well
- Truly distraction-free page
- Free online version with no signup
- One-time price for the apps
Cons: where it falls short
- Desktop app is paid after the trial
- Few features for long projects
Who Calmly Writer is for
Writers who want a calm, empty page for drafts and journaling.
Who can skip it
People who need research tools, comments or long-form project management.
Calmly Writer alternatives
Not sold on Calmly Writer? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
StackEdit
Focus: editor and open source. Shares markdown and writing with Calmly Writer. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.4Visit
Pi-hole
Focus: ad blocker, dns and privacy. Also in Digital Minimalism and Focus, like Calmly Writer. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Web AppFreeLinux, Web
4.7Visit
Neocities
Focus: web hosting, personal website and html. Also in Writing and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. Rated 4.6 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb
4.6Visit
MarkText
Focus: editor and open source. Shares markdown and writing with Calmly Writer. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Adds Offline. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Tiny Little Office
Focus: office suite, documents and spreadsheets. Also in Writing and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.3 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.3Visit
Free alternatives to Calmly Writer
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Story Skills
Focus: storytelling, ai agents and claude code. Shares writing and markdown with Calmly Writer. An AI tool, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.2 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
AI ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.2Visit
uBlock Origin
Focus: ad blocker, content blocker and privacy. Also in Focus and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. A browser extension, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Adds Firefox and Chrome. Rated 4.8 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Browser ExtensionFreeFirefox, Chrome
4.8Visit
AdGuard Home
Focus: ad blocker, dns and privacy. Also in Digital Minimalism and Focus, like Calmly Writer. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
OtherFreeLinux, macOS
4.7Visit
Unhook
Focus: youtube, distraction blocker and recommendations. Also in Focus and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. A browser extension, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Adds Chrome and Firefox. Rated 4.7 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.7Visit
Cal Newport's Study Hacks Blog
Focus: essays, focus and attention. Also in Focus and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. A blog, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
BlogFreeWeb
4.6Visit
How to Rewire Your Brain to Enjoy Discipline
Focus: discipline, habits and dopamine. Also in Focus and Digital Minimalism, like Calmly Writer. A YouTube Video, not a web app. Free (Calmly Writer: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Calmly Writer: 4.5).
YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
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