# em — Markdown Writer & Editor — Own your drafts and blog posts

> Private Markdown writing and editing app with smart search and version history. (iPhone/iPad app by Justin Cox.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/em-markdown-writer-and-editor/id6797005003 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Justin Cox](https://appshunter.io/developer/6797005005)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: $19.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-09-17
- Data updated: 2026-10-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/em-markdown-writer-and-editor/id6797005003/reviews.md

## What is em?

em is a Markdown writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, built on one idea: your writing files are yours, and you're the only one who should decide what to do with 'em.

WRITE 'EM WITH MARKDOWN

Capture your thoughts in a distraction-free Markdown editor tuned for each device. em counts your words and reading time, but only if you want it to.

FIND 'EM WITH SMART SEARCH

Smart Search lists every file holding your words, the ones holding all of them first. Use quotes, +, -, OR and * for precision, filter by library, tag, status or year, and save any search as a Smart Folder that stays current. Only remember what a piece was about? Ask em.

PROTECT 'EM WITH VERSION HISTORY

Every edit is automatically versioned and backed up to iCloud. Compare and restore versions from any device, so an accidental deletion never costs you your writing.

PUBLISH 'EM WITH GHOST

Connect em to your Ghost site to edit, back up, and publish natively in Markdown that maps to Ghost's cards. em supports 19 Ghost editorial cards, plus drafts, scheduling, and newsletters.

EXPLORE 'EM WITH AI (BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO)

Ask em questions and get answers grounded in your files, not the internet. On OS 27, Siri can search, add, or edit notes in the libraries you approve. Get an Editorial Review from a prompt you can read and edit — it's a document in your library. em doesn't write your drafts; it helps you edit 'em.

ALL FEATURES

- Smart Search: Search operators, filters, and Smart Folders
- Version History: Automatic versioning, stored in iCloud
- Ghost Sites: Sync, edit, publish, and send newsletters
- AI on Your Terms: On-device Apple Intelligence by default; optionally Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini with your API key
- Siri AI: Search, add, or edit notes in approved libraries (OS 27)
- Ask em: Answers from your own archive
- Editorial Review: AI feedback from a prompt you control
- Apple Shortcuts: Start an AI conversation or publish to Ghost
- Journaling Suggestions: Capture memories in Markdown (iOS)
- Read Aloud: Hear your draft to catch what your eyes miss
- Customization: Reader and Editor fonts and colors
- Export: Save any Ghost post as a Markdown file
- Offline Editing: Works without an iCloud or Ghost connection
- Even More: Printing, word counts, and yes — em dash highlighting

PRIVACY, PLAINLY

em has no server. That's not a promise about what the developer does with your data — there's no backend, no account, and no company database where your writing could end up. Your writing syncs through your iCloud and nowhere else.

AI features are off by default and, if turned on, run on-device with Apple Intelligence. Want a larger model? Connect Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini with your own API key — your account, your billing, revocable anytime. em names the model answering, every time.

Transparency Statement: AI was used in developing this app, but every feature idea, design call, and architectural decision was made by a human.

## Key features

- Distraction-free Markdown editor
- Smart Search with filters and Smart Folders
- Automatic version history stored in iCloud
- Ghost site integration for publishing
- On-device AI for editing and review
- Offline editing capabilities
- Customizable reader and editor

## Chart rankings

- #173 in Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)


## Frequently asked questions about em

### What is em?

em is a Markdown writing and editing application designed for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It focuses on user privacy, offering features like smart search, automatic version history, and optional AI assistance for editing.

### How much does em cost?

em is a paid application, priced at $19.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features.

### Does em have ads?

No, em does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed to provide a distraction-free writing experience.

### What devices does em support?

em is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, ensuring a consistent writing experience across Apple devices.

### How does em handle user data and privacy?

em prioritizes privacy with no backend servers or accounts. Your writing syncs exclusively through your iCloud, and AI features run on-device by default.

### Can I publish to Ghost with em?

Yes, em offers native integration with Ghost sites, allowing you to edit, back up, and publish your Markdown content directly. It supports 19 Ghost editorial cards.

### What are the AI features in em?

em offers on-device Apple Intelligence by default for AI assistance. You can optionally connect to Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini using your own API key for enhanced capabilities like editorial reviews and answering questions grounded in your files.

### How often is em updated?

The latest version of em, 1.2, was last updated on October 1, 2026. Updates are provided by the developer, Justin Cox.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2026-10-01

This version brings Editorial Review to your device and makes search find everything you've written.

- Editorial Review, Now On Device: Run developmental edits of any draft right on your device. em's prompt is now optimized for Apple's on-device Foundation Model to provide quicker, more private results.
- Ask em Is More Conversational: Turn on Prompt Suggestions to keep the conversation going. em will review your changes or answer additional questions once the initial review is generated — but only if you want em to.
- Smart Search Is Now Smarter: Use quotes, +, -, OR, and * to find exactly what you're looking for. Plus, every search can become a Smart Folder.
- Word Count Is Far More Accurate: Word count and reading time now ignore standalone Markdown characters like ## and more accurately count Chinese and Japanese text. The first index after launch will likely adjust your word counts down a bit as a result — sorry about that!
- Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements: There were bugs, but we squashed 'em.

### 1.1 — 2026-09-21

This version is all about enhancing em's intelligence features for devices running iOS 27 and macOS 27.

- Ask em, Now Smarter: Ask about a year, a tag, or anything else, and em keeps reading until it's found everything that matches before answering your questions, even with the on-device Apple Intelligence model.
- Siri AI: Siri can read, create, and append to your em documents, but only in libraries you've enabled for AI.
- Create posts directly on Ghost: You can now create a new draft in a Ghost library without needing a local file at all.
- Customize Favorites: If you aren't a fan of stars, you can now change the color and shape of the Favorites library.
- Bug Fixes and Other Improvements: You know, the usual stuff.

### 1.0 — 2026-09-17

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-05.*