Poe
What Poe is
Poe is a distraction-free writing app for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It works offline without requiring an account or cloud service, while some features and web searches need internet access. The editor provides rich-text editing, focus mode, writing timers, word-count goals, writing statistics, and customizable themes. Project mode opens a folder, combines word counts across its files, and lets you switch between them. Narrator reads documents aloud using selectable voices and adjustable speed. Poe says it has no AI assistants or tools and does not use user data for training. It also says it does not collect personal data; anonymous word-count and in-app activity information remains inside the app and is deleted when the app is uninstalled. Content is saved as Markdown with basic export formats. The Free plan costs $0 forever. Poe Pro costs $6.99 a year, renews annually, and adds project, narration, calendar, comments, dictionary, thesaurus, and ambient-audio features.
Who it suits
Poe suits individual writers who want offline, distraction-free editing on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may also fit writers needing project folders, narration, and writing statistics without AI tools.
What it does well
- Works offline without an account or cloud service
- Includes focus mode, timers, goals, and writing stats
- Project mode combines word counts across files
- Narrator offers selectable voices and adjustable speed
- No AI tools or user-data training
What to know first
- No mobile apps
- No publishing tools or real-time collaboration
- Saves content as Markdown
- Some features and searches require internet access
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Poe Free | $0 forever · Rich-text editor · Focus mode · Timers and goal-trackers · Writing stats · Custom themes and fonts | Free |
| Poe Pro | $6.99 / year; renews annually · cancel anytime · Everything in Free · Project mode · Narrator · Calendar · Comments · Dictionary & Thesaurus · Ambient audio | $6.99 a year |
As getpoe.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Poe centers on private, individual writing with offline access and focused editing tools. Choose Poe Pro when project management, narration, calendar, comments, reference tools, or ambient audio are needed.
Facts from Poe's own pages
- Real-time collaboration
- No · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Data backup
- The privacy page advises users to back up their data and says Poe's developers are not liable for lost user data. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- basic · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- File format limit
- Poe saves content as Markdown and does not support text justification or alignment, font changes, or text color changes within the document. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Internet use
- Some features require internet access, and searches can open external sites such as Wikipedia or Thesaurus.com directly. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- No · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Narrator
- Narrator reads documents aloud with selectable voices and adjustable reading speed. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- No AI
- Poe says it does not use AI features, assistants, or tools, and does not use user data for training. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Offline mode
- Yes · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Offline use
- The product page says Poe works offline and requires no account or cloud service. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Personal data
- Poe says it does not collect personal data; anonymous word-count and in-app activity information stays inside the app and is deleted when the app is uninstalled. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Poe is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux; the FAQ says iOS and Android versions are in development. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Poe is a cross-platform writing app designed as a distraction-free editor. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Project mode
- Project mode opens a folder, shows combined word counts across files, and lets users switch between them. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Publishing tools
- No · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Paid from
- 6.99 · getpoe.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- Users can contact support by emailing [email protected], including for cancellation help. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Writing tools
- Features include rich-text editing, focus mode, writing timers, word-count goals, writing stats, and customizable themes. · getpoe.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Poe stands on Freedom251
- Text Editors#46 of 82
- Writing Apps#77 of 135