WriteRoom
What WriteRoom is
WriteRoom is a macOS, full-screen writing environment designed to keep attention on the document. It handles large documents quickly and provides live word count, reading time, and other counts. Writing sessions can be logged automatically to a spreadsheet. Users can save, switch, and share themes, with options for background images, paper textures, and typing sounds. WriteRoom 4 includes split editing, tables, footnotes, reference links, right-to-left text, Markdown support, and export to HTML or Rich Text. Navigation features include line numbers, sticky headings, a minimap, and table-of-contents insertion and updating. The release also includes a writeroom mcp command. WriteRoom is paid, has no free plan, and offers a free trial. The Mac App Store listing is $4.99, paid once, with Family Sharing for up to six people. The maker describes version 4.0 as a preview with rough spots, and says Tabs indentation and tab-width settings are not working properly yet.
Who it suits
WriteRoom suits Mac users who want a distraction-focused writing workspace with document metrics, customization, and advanced editing tools. It may also suit writers needing session logs or multiple export formats.
What it does well
- Full-screen workspace for focused writing
- Live word count and reading time
- Automatic writing-session spreadsheet logs
- HTML and Rich Text export
- Themes, backgrounds, textures, and typing sounds
What to know first
- No free plan
- Mac-only platform
- Version 4 is described as a preview
- Tabs indentation and tab-width settings malfunction
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| WriteRoom | Full-screen writing environment · Live word count and reading time · Custom themes and backgrounds · Writing-session logging | On request |
| WriteRoom (Mac App Store) | Only for Mac · Family Sharing for up to six people | $4.99, paid once |
As hogbaysoftware.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
WriteRoom combines focused composition with extensive document, navigation, and theme controls. Mac users should weigh its preview status and stated tab-setting limitation before choosing it.
Facts from WriteRoom's own pages
- Free plan
- No · hogbaysoftware.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integration
- WriteRoom 4.0 (407) includes a `writeroom mcp` command, though the release post only mentions fixing its report of open documents after an update. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- In the 4.0 Preview 405–406 post, the maker notes that the Tabs indentation and tab-width settings are not working properly yet. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Large documents
- The Mac App Store listing says WriteRoom handles large documents quickly. · apps.apple.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- No · hogbaysoftware.com, 20 Sept 2026
- More navigation features
- The 4.0 (407) post lists line numbers, sticky headings, a minimap, and table-of-contents insertion and updating. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform
- The Mac App Store listing says WriteRoom is only for Mac. · apps.apple.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Preview status
- The maker describes WriteRoom 4.0 as still having rough spots and asks testers to report issues. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Hog Bay Software’s privacy policy says it collects information users provide when contacting the maker, forum content, newsletter email addresses, and anonymous website usage information. · hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WriteRoom is a full-screen writing environment designed to help users write without distractions. · hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Session tracking
- WriteRoom can automatically log writing sessions to a spreadsheet. · apps.apple.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Hog Bay Software offers support through its forums and by email. · hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Themes and sound
- Users can save, switch, and share themes and choose background images, paper textures, and typing sounds. · apps.apple.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The maker says WriteRoom 4 has a Start Free Trial option; no trial length is stated on that page. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- WriteRoom 4 features
- The WriteRoom 4.0 (407) release post describes split editing, HTML and Rich Text export, tables, right-to-left text, footnotes, reference links, and Markdown support. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Writing metrics
- The listing includes live word count and reading time, among other counts. · apps.apple.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where WriteRoom stands on Freedom251
- Writing Apps#123 of 135