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iA Writer vs ghostwriter: catalog facts
iA Writer	ghostwriter
Paid A paid purchase or subscription is required, depending on platform.	Free The open-source software is available without a license fee. Hosting, hardware and…
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, Linux
Syntax control highlights adjectives, conjunctions and filler words Plain Markdown files in your own folders, with no proprietary library	Keeps plain-text writing and document preview close together.
Paid on every platform, with separate purchases in places Deliberately few features; it is not an organiser or notebook	Focuses on Markdown rather than complex word-processing layouts.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.