From Idea to Manuscript
Pick your genre — the editor configures the right tools automatically. Chapters, parts, scenes. Characters, locations, events, relationships and a dozen more card types — all right next to your text.
15 Days Free
ZenWriter
The editor that makes you want to write
Leaves you alone with the text. Full screen, atmosphere, sounds, book structure, characters — everything to keep your story moving. Since 2009.
Everything for Inspiration
Minimal on the outside. Powerful on the inside. Full screen, atmosphere, sounds, book structure, characters — tools that serve your story, not distract from it.
Time Machine
See your world at any point in the story: who a character was, where the capital stood, who was at war. Slide through events — the world changes before your eyes.
Just You and the Text
Full screen, everything dimmed except the current paragraph, cursor always at a comfortable height. Set a daily goal — and write without distractions.
Sounds & Atmosphere
Rain outside, fireplace, café noise — mix your own backdrop. 15 key sound packs, music for writing, your own tracks.
Your World at a Glance
Visual map of connections between characters and locations. Event timeline. Clue board, location tree, knowledge matrix — each genre gets the right view.
Beautiful Text, No Effort
Smart quotes, em dashes, ellipses — inserted automatically. Any fonts. Style presets. Custom auto-replace rules.
Write on Any Device
Start on your computer, continue in the browser on your phone. Works offline — data syncs when you reconnect.
Your Text, Your Formats
Export your manuscript as DOCX, HTML, TXT or ZIP. Import drafts from DOCX and TXT. Research materials — as JSON.
Great on Your Phone Too
The web version is optimized for mobile: intuitive gestures, slide-up panels, haptic feedback. Write in line, on the go, in the park.
For those who write
not chapters, but stories
ZenWriter is built for the long haul: when you need to hold the plot, structure, characters, research, and the text itself in your head — without losing your flow.
Novelists
When a book grows in scope and depth, you need more than the current page — you need the full picture of the manuscript.
- Chapters, parts, scenes and research materials live in one workspace
- Characters, relationships and timeline keep the narrative thread intact
- Focus mode holds your attention on the text, not on the interface
Screenwriters
If you think in episodes, transitions and scene rhythm, ZenWriter keeps structure right next to the draft — not buried in separate tools.
- Jump between scenes and supporting materials without breaking flow
- @mentions open character cards right beside the text
- DOCX and HTML export simplify handoff down the pipeline
Non-fiction, research, essays
For texts built on logic, references and careful assembly, ZenWriter offers a calmer environment — less noise, more continuity.
- Notes, references and terminology stay close to the manuscript
- Equally comfortable for long chapters and short working fragments
- Works online and in the Windows app, with familiar export options
Write Books. Cover to Cover.
From first idea to finished manuscript — ZenWriter guides you through the entire journey
Your Book Starts with Four Questions
Title, type, genre, brief description — and your workspace is ready. 13 genre profiles, from epic fantasy to popular science. Each profile picks the right tools and sets up the structure. Outline on the left, text in the center, properties panel on the right — everything in sight.
- 13 genre profiles
- Chapters, parts, scenes
- Three-column workspace
- Tools adapt to your genre
Your Entire World — at Hand
Characters, locations, events, relationships, races, magic systems, cultures, clues, sources, glossary terms, open questions — 16 card types in all. Type @name in your text to mention a character — it links straight to their card. See where every element is referenced and how it changed throughout the plot.
- 6 sections: Characters, Plot, World, Detective, Style, Process
See Any Moment of Your Story
Move the slider across your event timeline and watch the world change. Who was the hero before the war? Who owned the castle in chapter three? Cards show their state at the chosen moment. Everything that hasn't happened yet fades away.
- Event timeline with playback
See the Whole Story
A relationship map with character portraits shows who is connected to whom — and why. Each section gets the view it needs: plot timeline, location tree, faction map, clue board, "who knows what" table, glossary, manuscript progress.
- Relationship map with zoom and portraits
- Clue board and "Clue × Character" table
Make the Space Your Own
Dim everything except the current paragraph. Hide panels. Turn on typewriter mode. Choose a background, add your own music, or pick one of 15 typing sound packs. Layer ambient sounds — rain, fireplace, forest. Set a daily word goal.
- Paragraph dimming and panel hiding — together or separately
- Your music, 15 typing sound packs, ambient layers
An Editor That Stays Out of Your Way
Select text — a formatting toolbar appears. Type @name — the character card opens right next to your text, no page switch needed. Quotes and dashes are inserted automatically. Any fonts. DOCX export keeps all formatting.
- Context menus and floating formatting
- @Mentions → edit the card next to your text
- DOCX with full formatting: bold, italic, headings, tables
- Any fonts, adjustable text width
Write Anywhere
Open it in the browser on desktop, tablet, or phone — no installation needed. On mobile, everything is thoughtfully designed: swipe between manuscript and materials, edit cards in a slide-up panel, feel the haptic feedback.
- Works in any browser, no installation
- Gesture navigation on mobile
- Haptic feedback on interaction
- Everything syncs with your computer
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Years in development
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Material types
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Genre profiles
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Export formats
What Users Say
"Wrote more in 30 minutes than in a whole week before. Some kind of magic."
ES
Ekaterina S.
Novelist
"Finally an editor that doesn't get in the way of thinking. Open and write. That's it."
AP
Alexey P.
Screenwriter
"Using since 2015. Three books written here. Thanks for still developing it."
MI
Marina I.
Writer
Choose Your Plan
No hidden fees. 15 days free, no card required.
Popular
Subscription
Web version + Windows app. Sync across devices. All updates included.
- Web + Windows app
- Sync across devices
- All themes, sounds & backgrounds
- Export to DOCX, HTML, TXT, ZIP
- Works offline
- Updates included
Popular
App Purchase
0one-time
Windows app. Perpetual license for one user. Works offline, even without a subscription.
- Windows app
- Perpetual license
- Works offline, no subscription needed
- All themes, sounds & backgrounds
- Export to DOCX, HTML, TXT, ZIP
- Sync across devices
Promo
Lifetime
0one-time
Ограниченное предложение
Everything in ZenWriter with no time limit. All platforms, sync, all updates.
- Everything in Subscription
- Lifetime access
- All platforms, including future ones
- All updates included
- No auto-renewal
- Support the project’s development
All plans include full functionality. Cancel anytime.
Plan Comparison
Full functionality for 15 days. No card required.
| Feature | Subscription | App Purchase | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web + Windows app | |||
| Windows app | |||
| Cloud sync | |||
| Full-screen mode | |||
| Themes, backgrounds, typography | |||
| Books with chapters and characters | |||
| Relationship graph and timeline | |||
| Sounds, music, typing | |||
| Export DOCX, HTML, TXT, ZIP | |||
| Import DOCX, TXT | |||
| Works offline | |||
| Edit without subscription | |||
| All updates included | |||
| Price | — /mo | — | — |
Platforms
Work wherever you are