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iA Writer vs OmniFocus 3

iA Writer logo

iA Writer

Software

Distraction-free markdown writer with powerful focus mode

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Software

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: iA Writer licences are per platform rather than per person, at $49.99 for Mac, $49.99 for iPhone and iPad and $29.99 for Windows; OmniFocus 3 apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • They diverge on capability: iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which iA Writer and OmniFocus 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where iA Writer and OmniFocus 3 differ
AttributeiA WriterOmniFocus 3
Starting price$4.99/month$39.99/year
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, WebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web
Founded20081993

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in iA Writer

  • Distraction-free writing
  • Markdown editing
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Dark and light themes
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Typewriter mode
  • Focus mode
  • Statistics

Only in OmniFocus 3

  • GTD-based task organization
  • Projects and subprojects
  • Contexts and tags
  • Custom perspectives
  • Automation
  • Quick entry
  • Sync across devices
  • Deferred and due dates

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

iA Writer

  • Distraction free markdown writing on desktop and mobilenot OmniFocus 3
  • Drafting and exporting long form text with focus modenot OmniFocus 3

OmniFocus 3

  • Getting Things Done style task and project management on Apple devicesnot iA Writer
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot iA Writer
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot iA Writer

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

iA Writer

  • Licences are per platform rather than per person, at $49.99 for Mac, $49.99 for iPhone and iPad and $29.99 for Windows
  • Writing on a Mac and a PC therefore means buying the software twice

OmniFocus 3

  • Apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • Web access is not included with a perpetual licence and costs an extra $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
  • The Pro perpetual licence costs $149.99 against $74.99 for Standard
  • Future major upgrades are a paid discount rather than free for perpetual licence holders
  • The $99.99 per year subscription is the only option that bundles Pro plus web access

Pricing, plan by plan

iA Writer

$4.99/month
  • Monthly$4.99/month
    • All platforms
    • Sync
    • All features
  • Annual$39.99/year
    • All platforms
    • Sync
    • All features

OmniFocus 3

$39.99/year
  • Standard$39.99/year
    • Mac and iOS apps
    • Cloud sync
    • Core features
  • Pro$99.99/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced automation
    • Perspective management

Which should you pick?

Choose iA Writer if

  • You need distraction-free writing.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want markdown editing.
iA Writer review

Choose OmniFocus 3 if

  • You need gtd-based task organization.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
  • You also want projects and subprojects.
OmniFocus 3 review

Questions people ask

Is iA Writer or OmniFocus 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. iA Writer starts at $4.99/month and OmniFocus 3 at $39.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, iA Writer or OmniFocus 3?
iA Writer starts at $4.99/month and OmniFocus 3 at $39.99/year.
Does iA Writer or OmniFocus 3 run on more platforms?
iA Writer runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web. OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
What is iA Writer best used for?
iA Writer is most often used for distraction free markdown writing on desktop and mobile, drafting and exporting long form text with focus mode. Of those, distraction free markdown writing on desktop and mobile and drafting and exporting long form text with focus mode are not what OmniFocus 3 is typically brought in for.
What can iA Writer do that OmniFocus 3 cannot?
iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown editing, Syntax highlighting, Dark and light themes. OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives.
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