Immerse yourself in your work.
A simple, distraction-free word processor with a hide-away interface. Get out of your own way and just write.
Open Source & 100% Free • Available for Windows & Linux
The Hide-Away Interface
FocusWriter utilizes a hide-away interface that you access by moving your mouse to the edges of the screen. Hover over the mockup below to see it in action.
The stars stretched across the sky like crushed diamonds scattered on black velvet. It was quiet here. Perfectly quiet.
FocusWriter allows you to customize your environment by creating themes that control the font, colors, and background image to add ambiance.
It also features on-the-fly updating statistics, daily goals, and much more.
Hover over the image to reveal the hidden interface
Built for focus. Built for you.
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
FocusWriter strikes the perfect balance between a feature-rich word processor and a minimal text editor.
Customizable Themes
FocusWriter allows you to customize your environment by creating themes that control the font, colors, and background image to add ambiance.
Whether you want to type on a classic typewriter interface, green text on a black terminal, or a serene nebula background, the choice is entirely yours.
Pick up where you left off
Additionally, when you open the program your current work in progress will automatically load and position you where you last left off so that you can immediately jump back in.
Timers & Alarms
Need to write in sprints? FocusWriter includes built-in timers and alarms. Set a timer for 25 minutes, immerse yourself in the page, and let the software tell you when it's time to take a break.
Live Statistics
It features on-the-fly updating statistics. Keep track of exactly how much you've written without ever needing to open a separate menu or dialog box.
Spell-checking
Built-in spell checking with multi-language support (LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice dictionaries supported) ensures your manuscript stays clean.
Portable Version
FocusWriter is available as a portable app for Windows. Put it on a USB drive and take your personalized, distraction-free writing environment anywhere.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
FocusWriter is developed by Gott Code and is available completely free for multiple operating systems.
Released under the GPL version 3 license.
Is FocusWriter right for you?
The Advantages
- 100% Free & Open Source. No subscriptions, no ads, no paywalls.
- The absolute best app for pure, unadulterated focus. It hides everything else on your computer.
- Highly customizable themes (use your own background images and colors).
- Daily goals and timers make it perfect for NaNoWriMo or writing sprints.
Things to Consider
- It is a plain text/RTF editor. It does not have advanced formatting like MS Word.
- No official, easy-installer macOS version (requires compiling or using older versions).
- No built-in cloud syncing (you must save files to your own Dropbox/Google Drive folder).
How FocusWriter Compares
| Feature | FocusWriter | MS Word / Google Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Distraction-Free Mode | True Full-Screen (Hidden UI) | Always visible toolbars |
| Writing Goals & Timers | Built-in | Requires external apps |
| Custom Visual Themes | Any background image | Just Light/Dark mode |
| Pricing | 100% Free (Donationware) | Subscription / Free with ads |
What Writers Are Saying
"I use FocusWriter every November for NaNoWriMo. The daily goal tracker is a lifesaver. I set my goal to 1,667 words, put on a typewriter sound effect, and the words just flow."
"It is exactly what it claims to be. No bloatware, no unnecessary features. Just a blank page and my thoughts. I've donated three times because I love Gott Code's philosophy."
"I load up a picture of a rainy coffee shop as my background theme, set the transparency to 80%, and I can write for hours without checking social media. It blocks out everything."
100% Free. Support if you like it.
Please send a tip if you like FocusWriter! The more tips the developer gets, the more time they can work on it.
Tip the Developer (Gott Code)
You can use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.
Or just download it for free!
Download FocusWriterReady to get out of your own way?
Immerse yourself in your work with the ultimate distraction-free environment.
Download FocusWriter