Compare Byword vs. Focused

Create your next blog post, narrative, or academic paper seamlessly from any location by utilizing Markdown for easy text formatting, keyboard shortcuts, and real-time word counting features. With the convenience of iCloud and Dropbox, you can effortlessly craft documents in Byword on your Mac, then access and edit them on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, and the reverse holds true as well. This flexibility allows for document editing on any device you choose, whether at home or on the go. Byword boasts comprehensive support for Markdown, enabling you to preview your work within the app and export it to various formats like HTML, PDF, and rich text. You can even publish directly to platforms such as Medium, WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and Evernote with ease. While the current absence of rich text support is attributed to technical challenges and limited development capabilities, we are assessing the potential investment in rich text functionality for iOS. In the meantime, we highly advocate for using plain text and Markdown formats for your writing needs, as highlighted in a compelling article by Macworld that discusses the advantages of choosing plain text today. Embracing this approach not only enhances compatibility across devices but also simplifies the writing process.

Focused sets a new standard for markdown writing applications, allowing users to truly immerse themselves in their work. Developed by Codebots, this app is built on the impressive foundation of Realmac Software's Typed app, delivering a unique experience for Mac users. Unlike other writing tools, Focused not only eliminates distractions but also actively enhances your concentration. Markdown, designed by John Gruber, is a straightforward text format that simplifies web content creation without requiring any HTML knowledge. Using markdown syntax, you can easily indicate the purpose of various elements within your document; for instance, placing a # before a word signifies that it should be formatted as a title. This format does away with the need to remember complicated HTML tags, and an increasing number of blogging platforms now support markdown for content creation. With Focused, you'll find no unnecessary clutter or distractions, just an expertly designed suite of tools dedicated to helping you write effectively and maintain your focus. Ultimately, Focused transforms the writing process into a seamless and enjoyable experience.