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Productivity · head to head

iA Writer vs Streaks

iA Writer logo

iA Writer

Productivity

Distraction-free markdown writer with powerful focus mode

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Streaks logo

Streaks

Productivity

iOS habit tracker sold as a one-time purchase, not a subscription

From
$5.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iA Writer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Streaks it is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • They diverge on capability: iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Streaks covers Streak tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which iA Writer and Streaks actually diverge.

Attributes where iA Writer and Streaks differ
AttributeiA WriterStreaks
Starting priceFree$5.99/one-time
Pricing modelone-timeOne-time purchase
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, WebiOS
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Streaks

  • Streak tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Apple Watch app
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Widgets
  • iCloud sync

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 Streaks
  • Markdown document creation and editingnot Streaks
  • Cross-platform writing with iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Windows supportnot Streaks

Streaks

  • Someone wanting a simple visual habit tracker without recurring subscription feesnot iA Writer
  • A person wanting habits like step count or sleep to auto-complete via Apple Health datanot iA Writer
  • An Apple Watch user wanting to log habits without pulling out a phonenot iA Writer
  • Someone tracking a mix of daily and weekly recurring to-dos in one placenot 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

Streaks

  • It is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • The base app caps at 24 tracked habits, which is enough for most users but a real limit for anyone wanting to track a larger number of items.
  • Sync is via iCloud only, so there is no web or cross-platform account, which limits use to Apple devices exclusively.
  • It has fewer social or accountability features, such as shared habit tracking with friends, compared with some subscription-based competitors.
  • A single lifetime purchase means no ongoing development revenue tied to the individual user, so it depends on new sales and occasional priced major updates rather than recurring income to fund development.

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

Streaks

$5.99/one-time
  • Streaks$5.99/one-time
    • Full app, no subscription
    • Up to 24 tracked habits
    • Apple Watch app included

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.
iA Writer review

Choose Streaks if

  • You need streak tracking.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want apple health integration.
Streaks review

Questions people ask

Is iA Writer or Streaks better?
Neither clearly leads. iA Writer starts at Free and Streaks at $5.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, iA Writer or Streaks?
iA Writer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for iA Writer and $5.99/one-time for Streaks.
Does iA Writer or Streaks run on more platforms?
iA Writer runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web. Streaks runs on iOS.
Can I use iA Writer for free?
Yes. iA Writer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Streaks starts at $5.99/one-time.
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 Streaks is typically brought in for.
What can iA Writer do that Streaks cannot?
iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown editing, Syntax highlighting, Dark and light themes. Streaks covers Streak tracking, Apple Health integration, Apple Watch app, Flexible scheduling.

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.

Source
Streaks: Is Streaks a subscription?

No, it is a one-time App Store purchase, currently priced around 5.99 USD, with no recurring fee.

iA 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.

Source
Streaks: Does it work on Android?

No, it is iOS and Apple Watch only.

iA 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.

Source
Streaks: Does it integrate with Apple Health?

Yes, habits tied to metrics like steps or sleep can auto-complete based on Apple Health data.

iA 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.

Source
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