Productivity · head to head
iA Writer vs Remember The Milk
iA Writer
Productivity
Distraction-free markdown writer with powerful focus mode
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: iA Writer pricing varies by platform: Windows $29.99 while Mac/iPhone/iPad cost $49.99, creating $20 premium for Apple platforms; Remember The Milk interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
- They diverge on capability: iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Remember The Milk covers Smart lists.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which iA Writer and Remember The Milk actually diverge.
| Attribute | iA Writer | Remember The Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Platforms | MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows |
| Founded | 2008 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).
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 Remember The Milk
- Smart lists
- Location reminders
- Task sharing
- Advanced search
- Subtasks
- Google Calendar
- Outlook
- Evernote
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
iA Writer
- Distraction-free writing and note-taking applicationnot Remember The Milk
- Markdown document creation and editingnot Remember The Milk
- Cross-platform writing with iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Windows supportnot Remember The Milk
Remember The Milk
- Schedulingnot iA Writer
- Appointment bookingnot iA Writer
- Time trackingnot iA Writer
- Resource managementnot iA Writer
- Team coordinationnot iA Writer
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
iA Writer
- Pricing varies by platform: Windows $29.99 while Mac/iPhone/iPad cost $49.99, creating $20 premium for Apple platforms
- One-time purchase model means major version updates may require additional payment beyond initial purchase
- Update schedule uncertain, making it unclear when new versions become available and whether paid upgrades will be required
Remember The Milk
- Interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
- Limited mobile app features compared to desktop version
- No advanced project management features like Gantt charts or timeline views
Pricing, plan by plan
iA Writer
Free- Free TrialFree
- 7-day free trial
- Mac and Windows
- No credit card required
- Windows$29.99/one-time
- One-time purchase
- Own it forever
- No subscription fees
- Mac$49.99/one-time
- One-time purchase
- Own it forever
- No subscription fees
- iPhone & iPad$49.99/one-time
- One-time purchase via App Store
- Own it forever
- No subscription fees
Remember The Milk
Free- FreeFree
- Task creation and organization
- Basic reminders
- List sharing
- Pro$39.99/year
- All free features
- Advanced sorting
- Attachments
Which should you pick?
Choose iA Writer if
- You need distraction-free writing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
- You also want markdown editing.
Choose Remember The Milk if
- You need smart lists.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
- You also want location reminders.
Questions people ask
- Is iA Writer or Remember The Milk better?
- Neither clearly leads. iA Writer starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, iA Writer or Remember The Milk?
- iA Writer starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free.
- Does iA Writer or Remember The Milk run on more platforms?
- iA Writer runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web. Remember The Milk runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use iA Writer for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is iA Writer best used for?
- iA Writer is most often used for distraction-free writing and note-taking application, markdown document creation and editing, cross-platform writing with ipad, iphone, mac, and windows support. Of those, distraction-free writing and note-taking application and markdown document creation and editing are not what Remember The Milk is typically brought in for.
- What can iA Writer do that Remember The Milk cannot?
- iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown editing, Syntax highlighting, Dark and light themes. Remember The Milk covers Smart lists, Location reminders, Task sharing, Advanced search.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
iA Writer: How much does iA Writer cost?
iA Writer costs $29.99 one-time for Windows, $49.99 one-time for Mac, and $49.99 one-time for iPhone & iPad. A 7-day free trial is available with no credit card required.
SourceRemember The Milk: Is there a free version of Remember The Milk?
Yes. Remember The Milk is free to download and use with core features like task creation, lists, reminders, and basic sharing. A Pro subscription at $39.99 annually unlocks advanced features like advanced sorting, attachments, and Apple Watch support.
SourceiA Writer: What is iA Writer's licensing model?
iA Writer uses a one-time purchase model where customers pay once per platform and own the software forever with no subscription required, though major updates may require additional payment.
SourceRemember The Milk: What devices and platforms does Remember The Milk support?
Remember The Milk is available across desktop, mobile, web, and wearable platforms with native applications, ensuring tasks remain synchronized across all devices.
SourceiA Writer: Do minor updates cost extra for iA Writer?
Minor updates are included with the one-time purchase, while major updates may require additional payment. The update schedule is uncertain.
SourceRemember The Milk: Can I share tasks with others in Remember The Milk?
Yes, Remember The Milk allows you to share lists and assign tasks to others to coordinate work and get things done faster.
SourceiA Writer: Are there educational discounts for iA Writer?
Educational customers receive a 20% discount on Mac and Windows purchases made directly from iA, equaling approximately $39.99 for Mac and $23.99 for Windows.
SourceRemember The Milk: Does Remember The Milk integrate with other apps?
Yes, Remember The Milk integrates natively with Gmail, Google Calendar, Evernote, and Zapier, allowing you to capture tasks from multiple sources.
SourceRelated pages
More on Remember The Milk
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