Key takeaways
- One-time purchase: $10.99 Mac, $5.99 iOS — no subscription
- Direct publishing to WordPress, Medium, Blogger, Tumblr, and Evernote
- iCloud and Dropbox sync for seamless Mac/iOS workflow
FAQ
What is Byword?
Byword is a distraction-free markdown writing app for Mac and iOS with clean design and direct publishing to WordPress, Medium, and other platforms.
How much does Byword cost?
$10.99 for Mac and $5.99 for iOS, both one-time purchases. Publishing features require a $4.99 in-app purchase per platform.
What platforms does Byword support?
Mac, iPhone, and iPad only. No Windows, Android, or web version.
Executive Summary
Byword is a minimalist markdown writing app designed for focused writing and easy publishing. Its standout feature is direct publishing to WordPress, Medium, Blogger, Tumblr, and Evernote — write in markdown, hit publish, done. With a clean interface, iCloud/Dropbox sync, and one-time pricing, Byword serves writers who want simplicity without subscription fatigue.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Metaclassy, Lda |
| Founded | ~2011 |
| Funding | Bootstrapped |
| Headquarters | Portugal |
Product Overview
Byword strips away everything except writing. There's a clean editor with subtle syntax highlighting, keyboard shortcuts for markdown formatting, and live word count. Focus mode dims everything except the current paragraph or sentence.
The app syncs documents via iCloud or Dropbox, making them accessible across Mac and iOS. The premium publishing feature exports directly to blogging platforms without leaving the app.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Distraction-free Writing | Minimal interface with focus mode |
| Markdown Support | Full markdown with keyboard shortcuts and highlighting |
| iCloud/Dropbox Sync | Documents sync across Mac and iOS |
| Direct Publishing | Publish to WordPress, Medium, Blogger, Tumblr, Evernote |
| Export | HTML, PDF, Rich Text, LaTeX |
| Word Count | Live word/character count |
Editions
| Surface | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Mac App | Native macOS app | GA ($10.99) |
| iOS App | iPhone and iPad | GA ($5.99) |
Technical Architecture
Byword stores documents as plain text files (.txt or .md) in iCloud or Dropbox folders you specify. This means your documents are portable and accessible from any app that reads those folders.
The app is native on both Mac and iOS — not Electron, not a web wrapper. This results in fast performance and proper OS integration.
Key Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| File Format | .txt, .md (plain text) |
| Storage | iCloud or Dropbox |
| Sync | Native iCloud/Dropbox integration |
| Platform | Native Mac and iOS apps |
| Publishing | Premium feature ($4.99 in-app purchase) |
Strengths
- Clean writing experience — Minimal, distraction-free interface with focus mode
- Direct publishing — Publish to WordPress, Medium, Blogger, Tumblr without copy-paste
- One-time purchase — No subscription; ~$17 for Mac + iOS combined
- Native apps — Fast, responsive, proper OS integration (not Electron)
- Plain text files — Documents are .md files in iCloud/Dropbox, fully portable
- Cross-device sync — Seamless Mac/iOS workflow via iCloud or Dropbox
Cautions
- Apple-only — No Windows, Android, or web version
- Limited features — No wiki links, tags, or organization beyond file folders
- Publishing costs extra — $4.99 per platform for publishing feature
- Separate purchases — Mac and iOS apps are separate purchases (no universal)
- Development pace — Updates are infrequent; app feels mature but static
Pricing & Licensing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Mac App | $10.99 | Full editor, sync |
| iOS App | $5.99 | Full editor, sync |
| Publishing (IAP) | $4.99 | Direct publish to blogs |
Licensing model: One-time purchase per platform
Hidden costs: Publishing to WordPress/Medium/etc requires an additional $4.99 in-app purchase. Mac and iOS are separate purchases.
Competitive Positioning
Direct Competitors
| Competitor | Differentiation |
|---|---|
| iA Writer | iA Writer has focus mode and AI authorship; Byword is simpler and cheaper |
| Ulysses | Ulysses is subscription with more features; Byword is one-time purchase |
| Bear | Bear has tags and organization; Byword is pure writing focused |
| Typora | Typora has true WYSIWYG; Byword shows syntax with preview |
When to Choose Byword Over Alternatives
- Choose Byword when: You want simple markdown writing with direct blog publishing and no subscription
- Choose iA Writer when: You want focus mode and AI authorship tracking for longer-form work
- Choose Ulysses when: You need project management for books/long-form content
- Choose Bear when: You want note organization with tags
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Bloggers who publish to WordPress, Medium, or Tumblr
- Writers who want simple markdown with Mac/iOS sync
- Users avoiding subscription apps
- Apple ecosystem users who don't need Windows/Android
Poor fit:
- Cross-platform users (Windows, Android)
- Users who need organization (tags, notebooks, wiki links)
- Power users who want customization or plugins
- Writers who don't need publishing features
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | Moderate — indie app, sustainable model |
| Market Position | Niche — publishing-focused writers |
| Innovation Pace | Slow — mature, stable, minimal updates |
| Community/Ecosystem | Limited — no plugins or extensions |
| Long-term Outlook | Neutral — sustainable but aging |
Byword has been around since 2011 and continues to receive occasional updates. It's a mature, stable app that does what it does well. Don't expect major new features, but it remains reliable.
Bottom Line
Byword is a solid choice for writers who want clean markdown editing with direct blog publishing and no subscription. It's not trying to be a knowledge management system or a complex writing platform — it's a focused tool for focused writing.
Recommended for: Bloggers and writers who publish to WordPress/Medium and want Mac/iOS sync without subscription.
Not recommended for: Cross-platform users, PKM enthusiasts, or anyone who doesn't need the publishing features.
Outlook: Byword will continue serving its niche of Apple-only writers who publish to blogs. It won't gain major new features, but it remains a dependable, affordable option.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology