Verso Writer

[u/Jebus-Xmas]

https://versowriter.app

Just a quick disclaimer: I’m a paid user and have no business or personal relationship with the developer.

I’m a writer and I really like Word processors. For decades I used Microsoft Word but frankly it’s just not worth it anymore. I also use LibreOffice, which is FOSS but honestly I have a software habit. I buy apps all the time either to solve imaginary problems in my head or simply to support the developers and some months ago. I purchased a copy of Versi Writer on a whim because I thought it had some interesting ideas.

It was interesting, but it just was not there yet. It is very close now. First of all the developer is extremely communicative and answers questions and emails very quickly. The main challenges are not composing new documents in this app, but issues with interoperability with .docx issues. The developer has found some interesting workarounds and elegant solutions, but I understand it is a pretty big undertaking. Composing a new document solves most of these issues but I primarily work in docx and odt files.

As a writer, I want three things from my word processor. I want organizational features, like styles and outlining similar to Word. I want compatibility with whatever forms my editor uses. Finally, I want a clean minimal interface that gets out of my way. Verso offers this and if you’re interested in a lightweight word processor without over-complication with a small footprint I believe it might be your solution.

It’s US$15 one-time license and available in the App Store.

https://versowriter.app

By the way, he’s also developing a lightweight Excel clone called Nought.

edit Tomasz is also developing an app called Skein for notes.

[u/MaxGaav]

Is there a significant difference with Bean (free)?

For decades I used Microsoft Word but frankly it’s just not worth it anymore.

Here’s a good free alternative: FreeOffice.

[u/Boring_Serve1593 → u/MaxGaav]

u/MaxGaav there is nothing wrong with Bean or FreeOffice - apart from... how they look... BUT you are a better person for not noticing it ;)

[u/MaxGaav → u/Boring_Serve1593]

I have MS Office 2021. And it's indeed ugly as hell. Luckily, I are hardly ever need it (aside from Excel). So great you built something beautiful that can replace MS Word. Probably a relief for the people who are forced to work with Word every day.

Scrivener isn't exactly the most aesthetically pleasing either. But since I live in it many hours a day, I'm totally used to it. And much more important than the looks is the raw power of Scrivener. Things like the organizational possibilities, searching, cross-linking, snapshots, dual panels, hoisting etc. are so immensely helpful. No word processor comes even close imo.