Alternatives
Sorcerer vs iA Writer
An honest comparison — where iA Writer wins, where Sorcerer wins, and how to decide.
At a glance
Sorcerer vs iA Writer, side by side.
| Sorcerer | iA Writer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $24.99 once | One-time purchase per platform: $49.99 Mac, $29.99 Windows, $49.99 iPhone/iPad (bought separately) |
| Telemetry | None | Not detailed on iA Writer's public pricing page |
| Extensibility | None by design | No third-party plugin ecosystem; a focused, fixed feature set |
| Sync | Bring your own (point Dropbox/iCloud at the folder) | Your choice of iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive |
| Platforms | macOS | macOS, Windows, iPhone, iPad — no Linux, no Android |
| License model | Perpetual, machine-bound, transferable | Perpetual, but per-platform — buying the Mac app doesn't include iOS or Windows |
iA Writer's Mac app ($49.99) alone costs more than Sorcerer's entire lifetime license ($24.99) — before adding iOS ($49.99) or Windows ($29.99) if you need those too.
Which fits you
Two different answers to the same problem.
Choose iA Writer if…
- You want an established, long-running editor with a distinctive focus-mode writing style
- You need the same paid app on both desktop and mobile and don't mind buying each platform separately
- Its specific typography-first design is what you're after
Choose Sorcerer if…
- You want one purchase to cover you, not a separate one per platform
- You want zero telemetry stated as a design commitment, not left unaddressed
- You're drawn to a distinct visual identity (the pixel-art mage themes) rather than a minimalist, neutral interface
Questions
Sorcerer vs iA Writer — FAQ
Is Sorcerer cheaper than iA Writer?
Yes — Sorcerer is $24.99 total. iA Writer's Mac app alone is $49.99, and each additional platform (iOS, Windows) is a separate purchase on top of that.
Does Sorcerer have iA Writer's focus mode or typography options?
Not the same feature set — iA Writer is built specifically around writing-focused typography and prose highlighting. Sorcerer focuses on a fast, keyboard-driven slash-menu editor with distinct visual theming instead.