Compare software

iA Writer vs WordGrinder: catalog facts
iA Writer	WordGrinder
Paid A paid purchase or subscription is required, depending on platform.	Free Free to download and use.
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Syntax control highlights adjectives, conjunctions and filler words Plain Markdown files in your own folders, with no proprietary library	Runs in a terminal with no GUI required Menu interface avoids memorising shortcuts
Paid on every platform, with separate purchases in places Deliberately few features; it is not an organiser or notebook	Deliberately limited formatting features Needs a UTF-8 terminal and good Unicode fonts
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

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