Zen Editor

Zen Editor

Zen Editor is a minimalist writing app for distraction-free writing and note-taking. It has a clean interface with only the essential formatting tools, allowing writers to focus on their content rather than appearance.
Zen Editor image
minimalist clean-interface formatting-tools focus writing notetaking

Zen Editor: Minimalist Writing App

A distraction-free writing app for note-taking and clean interface with essential formatting tools, helping writers stay focused on content

What is Zen Editor?

Zen Editor is a minimalist writing and text editing application designed for distraction-free writing. It has a clean, uncluttered interface that eliminates non-essential tools and UI elements so writers can focus solely on their content rather than appearance.

Key features of Zen Editor include:

  • Minimalist UI with only the core editing and formatting tools such as fonts, text size, bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, text alignment, lists, etc.
  • Fullscreen mode for zero distractions and complete focus on writing
  • Live word counter and reading time estimate
  • Auto-save to prevent losing work in case of crashes or power loss
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android
  • Supports major file formats like DOC, DOCX, TXT, MD, PDF, HTML, etc.
  • Basic note organizer to group notes into notebooks
  • Tagging for easier search and organization of notes and documents
  • Built-in encryption for securing sensitive documents
  • Offline access for writing anywhere, anytime

With its clutter-free UI, core editing tools, and focus mode, Zen Editor is aimed at writers seeking a distraction-reduced environment to write without worrying about formatting and appearance.

Zen Editor Features

Features

  1. Minimalist interface
  2. Distraction-free writing
  3. Basic text formatting
  4. Word count
  5. Auto-save
  6. Export to PDF, HTML, Markdown

Pricing

  • Freemium

Pros

Simple and easy to use

Focused writing experience

Affordable pricing

Available on multiple platforms

Cons

Limited features compared to full word processors

No collaboration tools

No templates or publishing options


The Best Zen Editor Alternatives

Top Office & Productivity and Writing & Note Taking and other similar apps like Zen Editor


Typora icon

Typora

Typora is a popular markdown editor and reader available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It stands out for providing a seamless writing and reading experience when working with markdown files.When editing documents in Typora, there is no preview window - users can see rendered...
Typora image
Rentry.co icon

Rentry.co

Rentry.co is an innovative software rental platform that is changing the way businesses and individuals access the tools they need. Instead of requiring large upfront investments to purchase software licenses and subscriptions, Rentry.co allows users to rent top software tools on-demand for flexible monthly payments.With Rentry.co, you only pay for...
Rentry.co image
IA Writer icon

IA Writer

iA Writer is a popular text editor and word processor application designed specifically for distraction-free writing. It has a very clean and minimal interface that removes unnecessary buttons and menus so you can focus on your writing.Some key features of iA Writer include:- Focus mode that grays out all text...
IA Writer image
Zettlr icon

Zettlr

Zettlr is a feature-rich markdown editor optimized for long-form writing and academic work. It provides a clean, distraction-free interface for writing in markdown, allowing you to focus on your content rather than formatting.Key features of Zettlr include:Real-time markdown rendering with support for math formulas, footnotes, citations, and bibliographiesDark/light themes and...
Zettlr image
Mark Text icon

Mark Text

Mark Text is an open-source markdown editor available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows. It aims to provide a simple, elegant, and powerful markdown experience.Key features of Mark Text include:Live preview - See updates rendered in real time as you type.Tabs - Open multiple markdown documents in tabs for easy navigation.Extensible...
Mark Text image
MacDown icon

MacDown

MacDown is an open-source, lightweight Markdown editor for macOS. It has a simple, uncluttered user interface that focuses on the writing experience. Some of the key features of MacDown include:Real-time Markdown syntax highlighting and live preview as you typeSupport for GitHub Flavored Markdown, including task lists and emojiCustomizable themes and...
MacDown image
Ghostwriter icon

Ghostwriter

Ghostwriter is an open-source, cross-platform word processor designed to provide a simple and distraction-free writing environment. With a minimalist user interface devoid of clutter, Ghostwriter concentrates purely on text content rather than formatting choices.Some of the key features of Ghostwriter include:Minimalist design to avoid distractions while writingAuto-save and backup functionality...
Ghostwriter image
HedgeDoc icon

HedgeDoc

HedgeDoc is an open-source web application for collaboratively editing markdown files in real-time. It allows multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously while seeing each other's edits appear live.HedgeDoc can function as a powerful note-taking tool or website content management system. It renders markdown formatting to HTML and...
HedgeDoc image
StackEdit icon

StackEdit

StackEdit is a free, open-source, online Markdown editor with a variety of features for writing, formatting, and publishing documents. Some key capabilities of StackEdit include:Real-time Markdown preview - See changes rendered as you typeSyntax highlighting for code blocksSupport for Markdown extensions like tables, footnotes, task listsCollaborative editing in real-time for...
StackEdit image
Haroopad icon

Haroopad

Haroopad is an open-source Markdown editor with live preview. Some key features include:Clean, intuitive user interface with live preview as you typeSupports GitHub Flavored Markdown including syntax highlighting, task lists, emoji, etc.Exports to HTML, PDF, Word, and moreMath typesetting with LaTeX and MathML supportCode block highlighting for many programming languagesDrag-and-drop...
Haroopad image
MarkdownPad icon

MarkdownPad

MarkdownPad is a feature-rich Markdown editor for Windows to write Markdown documents faster. Some key features include:Live preview pane with syntax highlighting that updates in real-time as you typeCustomizable editor theme options including dark modeExport Markdown documents to HTML or PDF format with one clickQuickly access Markdown elements like headers,...
MarkdownPad image