Comparison

Private Writer Markdown Editor vs FocusDown

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Private Writer Markdown Editor

A fast, distraction-free writing application focused on privacy and security. It offers a clean interface for writing in Markdown or plain text with live formatting and auto-save. All your notes are stored locally and can be locked with a PIN.

Highlights
  • Markdown and plain text writing
  • Live formatting
  • Auto-save
  • Local data storage
  • PIN app lock
  • PDF export
  • Search and pin notes
Features
Read full description

▶ Private Writer – Write. Lock. Own your notes. ▶ Private Writer is a fast, distraction-free writing app built for people who care about privacy and focus. ▶ No account. No cloud. No tracking. Just write. ▶ Fast & Clean Writing ▷ Write in Markdown or plain text ▷ Live formatting while you type ▷ Smooth, lag-free editing ▷ Auto-save instantly — never lose your work ▶ Beautiful Preview ▷ Switch to a clean full preview ▷ Perfect for reading and reviewing ▷ Distraction-free layout ▶ Stay Organized ▷ Search by title and content ▷ Pin important notes ▷ Find everything instantly ▶ Private by Default ▷ Lock app with a 6-digit PIN ▷ All data stored locally ▷ No account • No cloud • No tracking ▶ Export Anytime ▷ Export notes as clean PDF ▷ Share or save anywhere ▶ Built for Focus Private Writer removes everything you don’t need. • No setup • No clutter • No distractions Just a calm space to think and write. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

FocusDown

This app encourages users to put their phone down by using a face-down timer. It detects movement and tilting to remind you to stay focused until the session ends. Build better focus habits with dedicated sessions for studying, work, or reading.

Highlights
  • Face-down focus timer
  • Custom session duration
  • Movement and tilt reminders
  • Focus history tracking
  • Daily and weekly statistics
  • Achievement badges
Features
Read full description

FocusDown helps you put your phone down — literally. Start a focus session, place your iPhone face down on a flat surface, and stay away from distractions until the timer ends. Unlike a normal focus timer, FocusDown turns the simple act of flipping your phone over into a clear commitment. During a session, it helps detect movement, tilting, or picking up the phone and gives you a timely reminder so you can return to focus. Great for: * Studying * Deep work * Reading * Exam prep * Writing * Meetings * Phone-free breaks Main features: * Face-down focus timer * Custom session duration * Movement and tilt reminders * Focus history * Daily and weekly statistics * Achievement badges * Calm dark interface How it works: 1. Choose a focus duration. 2. Tap Start. 3. Place your iPhone face down on a flat surface. 4. Stay focused until the session ends. FocusDown does not block other apps. It helps you build a stronger focus habit by making your phone physically harder to pick up. Put your phone down. Stay with one thing. Build better focus, one session at a time. 1. This service is a subscription based paid service, which means you will prepay for future subscription usage. You can currently choose to use this service on a quarterly basis. At the end of each subscription period, your subscription will automatically renew by default, unless you cancel the automatic renewal yourself or we cancel the service. 2. Unsubscribe: To cancel the renewal, please cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can unsubscribe by opening System Settings, clicking on Apple ID, clicking on Subscription, selecting Premium, and then unsubscribing. 3. Restore purchase: If you receive a prompt saying "You have already subscribed to this project" during the payment process and confirm that you have completed the purchase before, you can click "Restore Purchase" in the upper right corner to restore the purchase. Membership Service Agreement and Automatic Renewal Agreement: https://gcn1s2rmayw3.feishu.cn/wiki/YgqKwPdJmiH0ulkF92kco1CznCg?from=from_copylink Privacy Policy: txhttps://gcn1s2rmayw3.feishu.cn/wiki/SGBIwmUWCiPWoWktE5sclLRgnol?from=from_copylink

Screenshots

Private Writer Markdown Editor4 screens
FocusDown4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Private Writer Markdown Editor at free with in-app purchases against FocusDown's subscription. Private Writer Markdown Editor also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 9 days) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Private Writer Markdown Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and FocusDown sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Private Writer Markdown Editor against 5.0 for FocusDown. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Writer Markdown Editor ships an update daily, FocusDown every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Private Writer Markdown Editor versus FocusDown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Writer Markdown EditorFocusDown
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHai Nam Trinh春城 贾

Customer experience

Private Writer Markdown Editor

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FocusDown

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Private Writer Markdown Editor

One-time1
  • Unlock Premium$1.99
3 purchases

FocusDown

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Member$3.991 Month
  • Annual Member7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Private Writer Markdown Editor free?
Private Writer Markdown Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FocusDown free?
FocusDown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Private Writer Markdown Editor or FocusDown?
Private Writer Markdown Editor and FocusDown are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Private Writer Markdown Editor or FocusDown have ads?
Neither Private Writer Markdown Editor nor FocusDown shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Writer Markdown Editor or FocusDown?
Private Writer Markdown Editor ships an update daily, and FocusDown every 9 days. Most recently, Private Writer Markdown Editor was updated on October 14, 2026 and FocusDown on September 30, 2026.

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