Plainfile

Native macOS editor for plain text, Markdown and CSV

About Plainfile

Plainfile is a native Mac app for editing plain text and source files, opening Markdown as directly editable rich text and CSV files as tables while always saving back as plain text. It has no network access, no account and no tracking, and its full source is published under the MIT license.

Plainfile website preview

Live preview of plainfile.app via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

Plainfile: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers text editor, markdown, macos, open source — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 1194 tools in the Utilities & Security category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

Plainfile pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	plainfile.app

Plainfile key facts

Category: Utilities & Security
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: text editor, markdown, macos, open source
Official site: plainfile.app

Plainfile FAQ

How much does Plainfile cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (plainfile.app).

What is Plainfile used for?

Native macOS editor for plain text, Markdown and CSV Its focus areas in the Utilities & Security category: text editor, markdown, macos, open source.

Where can I try Plainfile?

On its official site, plainfile.app — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

Plainfile vs alternatives

	Plainfile	Amethyst	Clipy	Hammerspoon
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	text editor, markdown, macos, open source	window manager, macos, tiling, open source	clipboard, macos, snippets, open source	automation, macos, lua, open source
Official site	plainfile.app	ianyh.com	clipy-app.com	hammerspoon.org
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Utilities & Security category

Password managers, cloud storage, and VPNs for everyday digital security. The Utilities & Security category on Tools Hub currently lists 1194 tools. Alongside Plainfile, it includes Wave Browser, Carbon Browser, BazQux Reader, YDRAY.

FreeUtilities & Securitytext-editormarkdownmacosopen-source

Alternatives to Plainfile

Tools in the same Utilities & Security category that share focus areas with Plainfile — worth comparing before you commit:

Utilities & Security

Amethyst

Automatic tiling window manager for macOS

Freewindow-managermacostilingopen-source

Utilities & Security

Clipy

Simple clipboard extension app for macOS

Freeclipboardmacossnippetsopen-source

Utilities & Security

Hammerspoon

Bridge macOS automation with Lua scripting

Freeautomationmacosluaopen-source

Utilities & Security

Kap

Open-source screen recorder for macOS with GIF export

Freescreen-recordingmacosgifopen-source

Utilities & Security

LinearMouse

Configure scrolling and pointer behavior per device on Mac

Freemousemacosopen-sourcesettings

Utilities & Security

LuLu

Free open-source firewall for macOS by Objective-See

Freefirewallmacosopen-sourceprivacy

More in Utilities & Security

Comparing tools in the Utilities & Security category? These related listings are worth a look: Wave Browser — Chromium browser with built-in tools and an ocean-cleanup mission; Carbon Browser — Fast private Web3 browser with built-in wallet and ad blocking; BazQux Reader — Fast web RSS reader with full-text articles and comments.