Quorly vs CalmlyWriter
Verified October 2026. Every claim is checked against the competitor's own site; competitor links open in a new tab.
CalmlyWriter is a polished, distraction-free Markdown editor. A free online version for quick edits; pay-once desktop ($23.90) and Android ($16.99) apps that add permanent backups, version history, PDF export, comments, tables, a table of contents and full offline work. The apps work on your own files — no mandatory cloud — and the desktop app has a 14-day trial. (Verified at calmlywriter.com, download.htm and online-vs-app.htm, October 2026.)
Quorly gives you the same calm writing experience without the download or paywall. The features CalmlyWriter reserves for its paid apps — tables, images, PDF, versions and offline — are included in the browser for free. No trial, no license, no file-system setup.
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Why writers switch from CalmlyWriter Online
- The full toolkit, in the browser. CalmlyWriter reserves tables, images, PDF export, version history and offline work for its paid apps. Quorly includes all of them for free.
- Storage you can rely on. CalmlyWriter Online keeps documents only in temporary browser storage — no version history or trash — and warns that clearing browser data erases them. Quorly keeps a persistent IndexedDB library with snapshots and a Recents manager.
- Actually offline. CalmlyWriter Online does not work offline. Quorly is an installable PWA that works on a plane, in a cafe, or after a browser restart.
- No upsell in the middle of your draft. Quorly has no paid tier, no license key and no desktop download. The only network requests are a cookie-free event ping and Cloudflare's anonymous visit count.
At a glance
| Feature | Quorly | CalmlyWriter |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Browser + installable PWA (any OS) | Browser (free); desktop/Android apps (paid) |
| Price | Free, no tiers | Free online; $23.90 desktop, $16.99 Android |
| Editing style | Direct rich text (WYSIWYG) | WYSIWYG Markdown |
| Offline support | Full PWA — survives restarts | Online: no; app: yes |
| Document storage | IndexedDB library + snapshots + images | Browser temp storage (online); local files + versions (app) |
| Privacy & tracking | No cookies/IDs; no uploads | No account; documents stay in browser or device |
| Tables & images | Included free | App only |
| PDF export | Included free | App only |
| Version history | Snapshots in IndexedDB | App only |
| WebMCP / agent tools | Yes (supported browsers) | No |
| Focus mode & themes | Focus mode; light/dark; 5 typefaces; adjustable width | Focus mode; 6 themes; typewriter sounds |
Detailed comparison
What CalmlyWriter does better
CalmlyWriter wins when you want a native desktop experience with file-system ownership. The desktop app writes directly to your disk — no browser sandbox, no IndexedDB limits, no storage quotas. It also adds comments, a table of contents and deeper customization. The Android app carries every desktop feature to your phone. If those matter more than portability or cost, CalmlyWriter is the right choice.
Quorly does not compete on comments, native file access, or Android native apps. It competes on cost ($0 vs $23.90), portability (any browser vs download) and privacy architecture (browser-local storage with no upload vs self-managed files).
How to move from CalmlyWriter to Quorly
CalmlyWriter's online editor keeps documents in temporary browser storage. Moving to Quorly is straightforward:
- Export or download the document as Markdown (
.md) from CalmlyWriter, then use Quorly's Import button (Chromium-based browsers) — headings, bold, lists and blockquotes are rendered. - For images: paste or drop them directly into Quorly; they are embedded in the document.
- Use Quorly's Recents manager to keep a persistent library; export to PDF anywhere, and to Markdown, plain text or
.quorlyin Chromium-based browsers. - If you used CalmlyWriter's desktop app, export the document as Markdown (
.md) and import it into Quorly; the original file stays on disk.
The bottom line
| What you need | Best choice |
|---|---|
| A native desktop/Android app with local file control, comments, typewriter sounds and a TOC | CalmlyWriter ($23.90 desktop / $16.99 Android) |
| A free, private, rich-text workspace in the browser with tables, images, PDF, versions and offline — no account, no download | Quorly ($0) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Quorly a free alternative to CalmlyWriter Online?
Yes. Quorly is 100% free in the browser with no signup. CalmlyWriter Online is free but keeps documents only in temporary browser storage with no versions, trash, tables, images or PDF export; those features require a paid app ($23.90 desktop or $16.99 Android).
Does Quorly work offline like CalmlyWriter's desktop app?
Quorly works offline as an installable PWA that survives browser restarts. CalmlyWriter's online version does not work offline; only the desktop and Android apps do.
Can I export PDF from Quorly for free?
Yes. Quorly exports to PDF in any browser for free. CalmlyWriter reserves PDF export for its paid desktop and Android apps; the online version does not include it.
Does Quorly upload my writing?
No. Quorly requires no account, sets no cookies, and never sends document content. The only network requests are an anonymous cookie-free event name to /e and Cloudflare's aggregate visit count.
Sources
Verified October 2026 at calmlywriter.com (pricing, features, online-vs-app), download.htm (desktop/Android prices), help.htm (feature differences between online and apps). Quorly claims verified directly in the editor.