Folio Writer - Plain text writing app for scholarly writing AND novel writing - Mac, iOS, Cloud
Started by Darren McDonald2
on 10/16/2026
Darren McDonald2
10/16/2026 11:58 pm
I came across Folio Writer in my search for an app that is more welcoming of research writing as well as for fiction writing in general. The link to Folio Writer's website:
https://foliowriter.app
It has all the features I have been looking for, especially a version for the Mac and iPad that does force you to use one sync service.
My only partial negative is that it is Markdown-based. But accolades go to the developer here for creating a "live rendering" preference in settings where the text hides markdown symbols in the text you are editing. Live rendering is done extremely well and fast, so much so that I don't notice that rendering is being done at all. The only giveaway is that the Markdown script appears when we are editing a section of the text. I have just contacted the developer to ask if this can be improved as well. As I have written elsewhere, I understand the value of writing in markdown. However, for me, seeing markdown script in the text I am editing is a huge distraction, like having an itch I cannot scratch.
Folio Writer also has a Web app for when you don't have access to a Mac or iPad (or iPhone). The pricing is very reasonable for the features you get, a free subscription, and lifetime licenses, depending on the extra features you want. The Web version starts at free, with subscription at various levels depending on the online storage you require. I am happy with this pricing model because I am sure it will bring the developer an income to work on future maintenance and development.
As a side note, I am also very happy with the way Folio Note handles Japanese, Chinese, and Korean fonts.
Folio Writer was a pleasant surprise when I stumbled across it. So I thought I should share the find with all here too, as you have all shared your wonderful finds that have helped me greatly in setting up a set of tools to use when working on research. :)
https://foliowriter.app
It has all the features I have been looking for, especially a version for the Mac and iPad that does force you to use one sync service.
My only partial negative is that it is Markdown-based. But accolades go to the developer here for creating a "live rendering" preference in settings where the text hides markdown symbols in the text you are editing. Live rendering is done extremely well and fast, so much so that I don't notice that rendering is being done at all. The only giveaway is that the Markdown script appears when we are editing a section of the text. I have just contacted the developer to ask if this can be improved as well. As I have written elsewhere, I understand the value of writing in markdown. However, for me, seeing markdown script in the text I am editing is a huge distraction, like having an itch I cannot scratch.
Folio Writer also has a Web app for when you don't have access to a Mac or iPad (or iPhone). The pricing is very reasonable for the features you get, a free subscription, and lifetime licenses, depending on the extra features you want. The Web version starts at free, with subscription at various levels depending on the online storage you require. I am happy with this pricing model because I am sure it will bring the developer an income to work on future maintenance and development.
As a side note, I am also very happy with the way Folio Note handles Japanese, Chinese, and Korean fonts.
Folio Writer was a pleasant surprise when I stumbled across it. So I thought I should share the find with all here too, as you have all shared your wonderful finds that have helped me greatly in setting up a set of tools to use when working on research. :)
Stephen Zeoli liked this
I just got back from taking a look at the developer's website:
This is a kind of Scrivener clone but in markdown!!
This is a kind of Scrivener clone but in markdown!!
Darren McDonald2 liked this
Hello again, Darren:
Could you tell us a bit more about your experience with this app? It seems like a pretty interesting product from everything I've read. It seems like a much more complete product than Ahti, which you also told us about and that I've already bought; however, I haven't been able to find any information about the developer or their company. What can you tell us about that?
Thank you very much.
Could you tell us a bit more about your experience with this app? It seems like a pretty interesting product from everything I've read. It seems like a much more complete product than Ahti, which you also told us about and that I've already bought; however, I haven't been able to find any information about the developer or their company. What can you tell us about that?
Thank you very much.