Full-screen writing program


In computing, a full-screen writing program or distraction-free editor is a text editor that occupies the full display with the purpose of isolating the writer from the operating system and other applications. In this way, one should be able to focus on the writing alone, with no distractions from the OS and a cluttered interface. Often, distraction-free editors feature a dark background and a text field, with lighter colored text. However, most distraction-free editors include customisable user interfaces. Some editors support rich text editing.

List of full screen editors

Free and open-source

NameLicenseLinuxOther supported operating systemsProgramming languageToolkitSpell checkerSyntax highlightingWYSIWYGNotable aspects, references
AcmeLPLPlan 9, Mac OS, WindowsMouse chording; supports sending selected text through pipelines of programs; extensible & scriptable via any language.
CodeRoomGPLv3Mac OS, WindowsC++QtSupports syntax highlighting.
GNU EmacsGPLv3Unix, Mac OS, WindowsC, Emacs Lispcurses, GTK+Supports syntax highlighting, programmable, several distraction-free packages available.
FocusWriterGPLv3Linux, Mac OS WindowsC++QtHighly customizable, has basic .odt format support.
geditGPLv2Cross-platformCGTK+Full-screen with ; part of GNOME Core Applications.
KoalaWriterGPLv3Mac OS, WindowsC++QtClone of OmmWriter.
MaraveGPLv2PythonQtSimilar to OmmWriter, CreaWriter.
PyRoomGPLv3Mac OSPythonGTK+
QuiEditGPLv3WindowsPythonQtMarkdownBasic text formatting.
RubyRoomGPLv2RubyGTK+Latest version from 2009.
TextRoomGPLv3Mac OS, WindowsC++Qt Supports rich text.
THEGPLv2Mac OS X, OS/2, Unix, WindowsRexx
VimCross-platformCDistraction-free plugins available.

Freeware

NameOperating system supportNotable aspects, references
Calmly WriterChromeOS, Google Chrome browserWYSIWYG, image embedding, OpenDyslexic mode.
FORCEdraftWindowsText editor that won't exit until the user's goal is reached.
DarkRoomWindowsClone of WriteRoom for Windows .NET.
JDarkRoomLinux, Mac OS, WindowsClone of DarkRoom written in Java.
PoeWindows 8 Word count goals, writing timers, auto-correct and resource links.
Q10WindowsPortable, has word count features.
WritemonkeyWindowsSupports Markdown Extra, Textile, WikiCreole. Donors can access plugins including corkboard, timer.

Proprietary

NameOperating system supportNotable aspects, references
Bloom EditorWindowsUses 3D rendering for special effects and dynamic visual themes. Has a free limited version.
CreaWriterWindowsClone of OmmWriter for Windows; has limited free version.
FrostMac OS, WindowsPlays thematic ambient music, free to use, live word counter, downloading option.
iA WriterMac OS, Windows, AndroidLightweight, has iCloud and Dropbox integration, iPad and iPhone version, Focus Mode, and Markdown support, light and dark writing modes, live rendering/preview, syntax highlighting, style check.
ISPFMVS through z/OS, VM/SP through z/VM, z/VSELatest version of Structured Programming Facility.
MoopatoMac OS and WindowsMarkdown editor and e-book publishing app.
NaNoScriBeWindowsRich text, on-screen word count, goals and timers. Built-in NaNoWriMo stats page.
OmmWriterMac OS, WindowsSupports images as backgrounds, and a player for ambient music.
Prime DraftMac OS, WindowsWriting mode that ensures forward progress and the avoidance of pre-emptive editing. Built-in calendar and writing target tracking.
SPFOS/VS2, VM/SPEarly full screen editor for IBM mainframes. Predecessor to ISPF.
Sublime TextLinux, Mac OS, WindowsCustomisable, for programmers, has free trial version.
WonderPenWindows, macOS, Linux
Write!WindowsMarkdown, spell-checker, cloud storage, sessions and folders scheme, RTL support.
Write Onward!WindowsFullscreen writing software disallowing editing, copying or pasting text to let writers focus solely on the writing process.
WriteRoomMac OSSimple.
XEDITVM/SP through z/VMSuccessor to EDGAR and current z/VM editor.
Xiosis ScribeWindows
ZenWriterWindowsSimple, with background images and ambient music.

Features

Rich text support

Some distraction-free editors support rich text editing. These include CreaWriter, TextRoom, and WriteRoom. In some cases, this feature turned off per default and must be set by a user.

Syntax highlighting

Currently, only a few distraction-free editors support syntax highlighting. CodeRoom is an open source project with the purpose of creating a distraction-free code editor with customisable highlighting schemes. The latest version of Marave supports syntax highlighting. Sublime Text supports a distraction-free full-screen view. Packages exist for GNU Emacs that turn off various features and reformat the display to a distraction-free layout while retaining syntax highlighting and other features familiar to Emacs users.

Aids to writing

Word count is a common feature in these editors. Other aids can include spell checkers, auto-corrections and quick text templates.

Other Features

Many of the programs include timers to pace writing. FocusWriter and WriteMonkey, among others, include typewriter sound effects.