Writing on computers, tablets, and mobile phones offers many advantages over traditional pen-and-paper or typewriters, but they also come with far more distractions in the form of notifications popping up to interrupt your writing, time-wasting games and social media just a click or two away, and of course, the nearly infinite temptations of the internet at large.

Many popular word processors and novel-writing software programs, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, and Storyist, offer full-screen writing mode to help writers block distractions and meet their goals, but they may also be so feature-rich that their features become a distraction of their own. Specialized distraction-free writing software and apps typically offer a more stripped-back set of writing and editing tools. Many also emphasize peaceful, minimalist design to provide a calming writing environment that encourages focused writing. (If “peaceful” sounds like the opposite of helpful, scroll down for more stimulating options.) Some distraction-free writing tools also include different soundscapes to block auditory as well as visual distractions.

Software and Apps for Distraction-Free Writing

Some writing tools that specialize in distraction-free writing include:

• Calmly Writer (Windows, Mac, Linux – paid; web – free)
• FocusWriter (Windows, Linux; free)
• Frost (Windows, Mac, iOS, web; free)
• OmmWriter (Windows, Mac; paid)
• typWrittr (web; paid)
• Ulysses (Mac, iOS; subscription)
• ZenPen (web; free)
• ZenWriter (web; paid or subscription)

Distraction-Free Markdown Editors

Another type of specialty text editor with a frequent focus on distraction-free writing is Markdown editors.

Markdown was developed as a simple and easy-to-read plain text markup language that allows you to create web-based writing content without HTML. It’s not surprising that writers who love the simplicity of Markdown would also enjoy simple writing tools, and many Markdown editors specifically advertise their minimalist and distraction-free writing environments, including

• Focused (Mac; paid)
• Ghostwriter (Windows, Mac, Linux; free)
• iA Writer (Windows, Mac, iOS; paid)
• Typora (Windows, Mac, Linux; paid)
• WriteMonkey (Windows; free)

What if you want MORE stimulation while you write?

If calm, peaceful, and minimalist distraction-free writing tools don’t help you focus, consider checking out Stimuwrite, a name-your-own price writing tool designed especially for neurodivergent writers that’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. StimuWrite includes a bunch of fun typing sounds, soundscapes, and even video backgrounds to keep you engaged and writing. You can even set the program to reward you with floating emoji when you reach wordcount goals, to mimic the dopamine boost of social media notifications.

A similar program is Written? Kitten!, a free online tool that rewards you with photos of adorable kittens, puppies, or bunnies whenever you reach a wordcount goal that you specify.

Did I miss your favorite distraction-free writing tool? Tell me about it in comments below!

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Image Credit: Jay Castor