iA Writer review
A focused Markdown editor with preview, revision tools, and publishing workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
iA Writer is a plain-text and Markdown writing app for individual writers who want a focused space to draft, edit, and publish. It runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad, with separate platform-specific purchases. Its live preview shows formatted output as writers work, while Focus Mode, Syntax Highlight, and Style Check support a deliberate editing workflow. Authorship can identify pasted, edited, and AI-generated text. The app is aimed at writers who value a restrained drafting environment more than built-in collaboration features.
Its feature set covers writing through publication. Writers can browse versions, use backups, and restore earlier work, then export to PDF, Word, HTML, Markdown, or Project Archive. Publishing drafts to services such as WordPress, Ghost, Medium, Micro.blog, and Micropub extends the workflow beyond local documents. For storage, integrations include iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. This mix makes iA Writer a fit for people who prefer Markdown but need options for moving documents into other formats or publishing destinations.
According to the published product details, purchases are one-time and tied to a platform, with major updates potentially costing extra. The listed plans are Windows, for Windows 10 or later; Mac, for macOS 10.15 or later; and iPhone & iPad, purchased through the App Store. A 7-day free trial is available, but there is no free plan. iA Writer suits solo writers seeking focused Markdown tools across supported Apple and Windows platforms. Writers who need Android availability or collaboration should consider alternatives; the product has no Android version for sale or support, and collaboration features are not part of its stated offering.
iA Writer pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Live HTML and PDF preview with Focus Mode and syntax tools
- Version browsing, backups, and restore support
- Exports to PDF, Word, HTML, Markdown, and Project Archive
- Where it doesn't
- No free plan; purchases are platform-specific
- Major updates may incur additional costs
- No Android version is for sale or supported
iA Writer fact sheet, pricing and score →
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