Longhand

Free plan Mac

What Longhand is

Longhand is a macOS text editor for professional authors writing long-form projects. Each project keeps manuscript chapters and research notes together, while files can be rearranged or nested. Chapters remain separate Markdown files, and saving converts Longhand’s continuous paragraph view into common Markdown syntax. Editing, reading, and focused modes support different tasks, with changes saved automatically as you type. Search covers manuscript files and notes, with filters for either area. The grammar checker groups suggestions into grammar, style, punctuation, capitalization, and readability. Eighteen themes are included, alongside controls for font, size, line height, paragraph spacing, auto-indentation, and spell checking. Depending on editor mode, you can export a current file or assembled manuscript as PDF or Word DOCX. Copying places text and HTML on the clipboard, while formatted HTML pasted into Longhand becomes Markdown. Projects are folders on disk containing files, notes, and metadata. A free plan is listed as free.

Who it suits

Longhand suits professional authors who work on lengthy manuscripts and research notes on macOS. It also fits writers who need Markdown storage, manuscript search, grammar suggestions, and PDF or DOCX export.

What it does well

Keeps chapters and research notes in one project
Supports rearranging and nesting files
Offers editing, reading, and focused modes
Exports current files or manuscripts to PDF and DOCX
Includes 18 themes and grammar categories

What to know first

Available only for macOS
No mobile apps

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	—	Free
Pro	—	On request

As saturn9.studio lists them, read 22 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Longhand combines long-form writing, project organization, Markdown storage, search, and manuscript export in one macOS editor. Its free plan provides a way to start, while mobile users need another platform.

Facts from Longhand's own pages

Clipboard: Copying from Longhand places both text and HTML on the clipboard, and formatted HTML pasted into Longhand is converted to Markdown. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Data storage: A project is a folder on disk containing manuscript files, notes, and project metadata. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Editor modes: Longhand offers editing, reading, and focused modes, and automatically saves changes as you type. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Export: Longhand exports the current file or assembled manuscript to PDF or Word (DOCX), depending on the editor mode. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Export formats: standard · saturn9.studio, 22 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · saturn9.studio, 22 Sept 2026
Grammar checker: The grammar checker groups suggested issues under grammar, style, punctuation, capitalization, and readability. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Integrations: The documentation describes copying formatted text to rich text editors such as Word, but does not state any external service integrations. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Maker: Saturn9 describes itself as an indie studio and identifies the site copyright holder as Saturn9 LLC. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Markdown: Chapters are stored as separate Markdown files, and Longhand converts its continuous paragraph display to common Markdown syntax when saving. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Mobile apps: No · saturn9.studio, 22 Sept 2026
Product: Longhand is a text editor built for professional authors and optimized for long-form writing. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Projects: Each project keeps manuscript chapters and research notes together, with support for rearranging and nesting files. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Publishing tools: Yes · saturn9.studio, 22 Sept 2026
Search: Search can find matches across manuscript files and notes, with scope filters for manuscript or notes. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Themes: The editor includes 18 themes and settings for font, font size, line height, paragraph spacing, auto-indentation, and spell checking. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026
Version history: Longhand automatically snapshots a file when it is opened, and users can browse, restore, or delete snapshots. · saturn9.studio, 12 Oct 2026

Where Longhand stands on Freedom251

Writing Apps#89 of 135