FocusWriter
Focus: distraction-free writing, word processor and writing goals. Also in Writing and Focus, like ghostwriter. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, Linux
4.5Visit
Desktop App
ghostwriter
A distraction-free Markdown editor with focus and Hemingway modes.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Windows, Linux, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is ghostwriter?
ghostwriter is a free, open source Markdown editor from KDE built for writing without distractions. It has a full screen mode, light and dark themes, a live HTML preview, an outline sidebar, live word count and session statistics, a Focus Mode that fades everything but the current text and a Hemingway Mode that turns off backspace and delete. It runs on Windows, Linux and Mac.
Pros: what ghostwriter does well
- Clean full screen writing mode
- Live preview and document outline
- Free and open source under GPL v3
Cons: where it falls short
- Markdown only, no rich text
- No built-in cloud sync
Who ghostwriter is for
Writers who like Markdown and want a calm, focused place to draft.
Who can skip it
People who need shared documents or rich formatting.
ghostwriter alternatives
Not sold on ghostwriter? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Calmly Writer
Focus: writing, markdown and focus mode. Shares distraction-free with ghostwriter. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (ghostwriter: Free). Adds Web and Android. Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.5Visit
MarkEdit
Focus: mac app, open source and github. Shares markdown editor and writing app with ghostwriter. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Adds Offline. Rated 4.6 (ghostwriter: 4.5).
Mac AppFreemacOS, Offline
4.6Visit
Cold Turkey Blocker
Focus: blocker, strict and focus. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. Freemium (ghostwriter: Free). Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFree planWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Freedom
Focus: blocker, focus and screen time. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. Paid but Affordable (ghostwriter: Free). Adds iOS, Android and Chrome. Rated 4.3 (ghostwriter: 4.5).
Desktop AppPaid but AffordablemacOS, Windows
4.3Visit
uBlock Origin
Focus: ad blocker, content blocker and privacy. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. A browser extension, not a desktop app. Adds Firefox and Chrome. Rated 4.8 (ghostwriter: 4.5).
Browser ExtensionFreeFirefox, Chrome
4.8Visit
Free alternatives to ghostwriter
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
SponsorBlock
Focus: youtube, skip sponsors and video. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. A browser extension, not a desktop app. Adds Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Rated 4.7 (ghostwriter: 4.5).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.7Visit
Unhook
Focus: youtube, distraction blocker and recommendations. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. A browser extension, not a desktop app. Adds Chrome and Firefox. Rated 4.7 (ghostwriter: 4.5).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.7Visit
A Soft Murmur
Focus: ambient sounds, white noise and focus music. Also in Focus and Distraction Blocking, like ghostwriter. A website, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Same 4.5 rating.
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.5Visit
LeechBlock NG
Focus: website blocker, browser extension and focus. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. A browser extension, not a desktop app. Adds Chrome and Firefox. Same 4.5 rating.
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.5Visit
SelfControl
Focus: website blocker, mac and focus. Also in Distraction Blocking and Focus, like ghostwriter. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Same 4.5 rating.
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit
Zettlr
Focus: academic writing, citations and open source. Shares markdown editor with ghostwriter. Adds Offline. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
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